Generally speaking, I am not drawn to cars that are “all-rounders”. I am much more fond of a car that is absolutely singular in its purpose. I appreciate, especially, cars from the two extremes of the comfort vs sporty scale. At the sporty end, I love cars that are uncomfortable, raw, visceral and mechanical. At the comfy end, I’m a big fan of quiet, comfortable barges and waft-mobiles.
This polar-extreme inclination is born from the fact that I hate when cars are compromised. I don’t like wanting a comfy ride, but having to put up with firmer suspension because it needs to handle. I hate wanting for sporty excitement, but having to contend with weight in a car that was also designed to be comfortable.
As a result of all this, I have a MASSIVE love for cars that manage to strike that perfect balance. Cars that really can do it all! Cars that can zoom around a racetrack on Sunday, but comfortably waft long distances during the week. Cars like the Aston Martin DB9, Jaguar XK and Porsche’s 911.
they can be a bit hit and miss
These incredible GT cars allow you to have your cake and eat it too, but they can be a bit hit and miss. The Mercedes SL for example falls a little short in the fun department for me, even though it is an excellent car otherwise. But one manufacturer, more than any other, seems to always hit the mark absolutely perfectly.
Ferrari just seem to be able to always knock out the most incredible GT cars I’ve ever been lucky enough to drive. You don’t have to drive them to within an inch of their lives either. Simply cruise around the block at a sedate pace and I can almost guarantee you will still emerge from the driver’s seat with a smile on your face. And this Ferrari 575M Maranello is no exception.
It all starts with the engine. Old-man Enzo used to joke that you don’t buy a car from Ferrari. You buy he engine… and you get the car for free. When you drive their cars, you kind of start to feel like he wasn’t joking. Especially if you’re talking about their V12 offerings. In the 575M this comes in the form of a 5.75L masterpiece. Power delivery is so smooth and linear, it is hard to believe it runs on anything as crude as petrol. Whilst we’re on the subject of power, you will not be wanting for more either. Even by today’s standards, this 20-something year-old car is still very rapid.
By far the most impressive part about the engine is the immediacy of its response. Despite being a large 12 cylinder with a reasonably high rotating mass, it responds instantly to inputs. Inertia simply doesn’t factor into it. Equally impressively, this sense of immediacy translates throughout the rest of the car. Steering inputs are telepathic, the brakes have incredible feel and are very effective and easily modulated. Even the F1 gearbox is quick to react, even if it isn’t the smoothest ‘box ever built.
This 575M is fitted with quite a raucous exhaust system
This particular car is also fitted with quite a raucous exhaust system. Personally I find myself very torn, as it is really loud. I start the car up and think to myself, that’s too loud. Surely it would drive you mad after a few minutes. Then a few minutes later… still driving it… I’m thinking DAMN that sounds good! I want more of that! You drive around grinning like an idiot, needlessly changing gear or squirting the throttle just to hear more of that noise. The word addiction doesn’t even really cover it.
The ride is firm, but very well judged and comfortable. Interior space is also quite impressive and finding a great driving position is easy. The seats are not only beautiful, but excellent. Soft where it matters, yet firm where it counts. Holding the driver and passenger in place without imparting some form of injury. The luggage space behind the seats is also a very welcome bit of practicality. Not that the boot is tiny, but if you go away for a weekend and come back with more than you left with, it’s not a problem.
Handling is sublime. The steering feel and communication from the chassis is first class. The car always feels poised and balanced. It feels much smaller than its dimensions would suggest. The nose is very precise and darts eagerly towards the apex. Grip levels are very high and the car feels very agile and easy to drive, even at speed.
not all of them are beautiful
Best of all though, when you are done having fun with it. You’ve had enough of that incredible sound track and park outside your favourite lunch spot. You turn around and look at it. Whilst it is true that all Ferraris are striking to look at, not all of them are beautiful. The 575M is quite possibly one of the prettiest cars to ever wear the Cavallino Rampante. From every angle it is just absolutely stunning to behold.
The Ferrari 575M really captures everything that makes a Ferrari special. Yet it does so in a way that is still useable, practical and, reportedly, reliable. Visibility is good, it’s easy to park. Getting in and out isn’t a chiropractor’s worst nightmare of human origami. It is fantastic on a mountain pass and sedate on a highway. It never feels out of place, whether slogging through traffic or racing around your local back-roads.
It is all things to all men, and that’s not an easy trick to pull off.
