2006 Ferrari 575 Superamerica

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Thanks to its combination of a front-mounted V12 engine and an ingenious roof design, the Ferrari 575 Superamerica blended the Italian marque’s traditional GT formula with cutting-edge engineering.

Tastefully presented in Grigio Titanio with a Beige interior and Giallo instruments, this particular Superamerica is one of only 63 that were built in right-hand drive. It was delivered on 31 March 2006 to Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd, which was based in Richmond upon Thames and had been founded by Pete Townshend of The Who.

Supplied new via Maranello Sales in Egham, the Ferrari has subsequently been serviced by official dealers such as Graypaul Nottingham, HR Owen and Dick Lovett Swindon, plus well-known independent specialists such as Joe Macari London and Simon Furlonger. Cambelt changes have been noted in the service record in 2012 (at 8807 miles), 2016 (9966 miles) and 2020 (10,418 miles).

The patented ‘Revocromico’ roof takes less than 10 seconds to fold back and rest flush with the boot lid, where it can be protected by a tonneau cover. The heated glass rear window then acts as a wind deflector and the boot capacity remains the same whether the roof is up or down. 

When it’s closed, the tint of the electrochromic glass panel can be adjusted via a switch on the centre console, from a lightest setting that’s like clear glass to a darkest setting that allows only one per cent of sunlight through.

Beneath the bonnet is an all-aluminium, dry-sump, 65-degree V12 that produces 540bhp – 25hp more than in the 575M Maranello coupé thanks to a revised cylinder head and intake manifold, plus a new exhaust system. It drives through a six-speed, Formula 1-style paddle-shift gearbox and gives the Superamerica near-200mph performance, with 60mph being reached in just over four seconds. 

Now being offered for sale complete with a full set of manuals and books in their original leather wallet, this Superamerica represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of these increasingly collectible limited-edition Ferraris.

MODEL HISTORY  

Developed from the outgoing 550, the Ferrari 575M Maranello was launched in 2002 and was the latest in a long line of front-engined V12 GT cars from the Italian marque.

Pininfarina’s Lorenzo Ramaciotti oversaw some detail design changes, the interior was reconfigured and the engine was increased in size from 5.5 litres to 5.7. Power was up to 508bhp and the top speed was quoted as being 202mph. The 575M also marked the first time that a V12 model had been equipped with Ferrari’s ‘semi-automatic’ gearbox.

From 2004, a GTC package was available that comprised Brembo’s composite ceramic brakes, plus a revised suspension system and exhaust, and 19in wheels. It cost £16,500 on top of the 575M’s £160,845 starting price, but almost every road-tester agreed that it transformed the car. 

Then, in 2005, the Superamerica model was introduced. Marketed as the world’s fastest convertible, its pioneering roof was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti and comprised an electrochromic glass panel that rotated on a single axis and was operated by a mechanism that was contained within a carbon fibre structure.

The Superamerica’s chassis was strengthened throughout, while the driver could choose between Sport and Comfort modes that controlled not only the damping but also the traction control and the gearbox. As with the 575M Maranello, there was also the option of a GTC handling kit. 

When Road & Track sampled a 575M at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, it noted the ‘astonishing agility, wonderful balance and excellent grip’, while Car and Driver later reflected that it was ‘the definitive ultra-performance GT’. 

In total, 2056 575Ms were built, plus 559 Superamericas, before production ended in 2006.