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I just read some more about the 575M. The reading said that for the first time it uses an F1 gearbox on a V12. What does the F50 use? I always thought the F50 also used the F1 gearbox, doesn't the F50 also use the rear suspension from the F1 car?
 

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Correct, but the F355 is a V8, the article said this is the first Ferrari to use the F1 gear box on a V12. I was under the impression that the F50 used the F1 gear box too but without the paddles. In other words I thought the F50 was Ferrari's street version of a Formula One car, or at least as close as a car could get to being an F1 car(such as the McLaren F1 also).
 

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The F50 uses a 6-speed gearbox. At the time Ferrari didn't think it was necessary to use the F1 system in the F50. The street going version of the F1 system was still an infant when the F50 was released. Another reason they chose not to use it was it weighs more than a standard transmission. I hear the F60 will use a 7 speed gearbox (not sure if it will use the F1 system or not).
 

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hey guys I just found this awesome forum and want to say hey. the only differences between the 575MM and the old 550 are the increased engine size (5.7 vs 5.5 liters - thus the new name), the increased hp that comes with that, and the f1 gearbox. Also, it looks slightly different, with new lights and a new front bumper. i think its mainly a "stop-gap" model before the all new V12 ferrari comes out- still a sweet ride though- it laps the ferrari test track as fast as the F40 did!
 

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The 575MM has a fully redesigned interior. It also has a redesigned front bumper (ugly imo) that improves airflow to the engine. It also has a bigger engine making 515hp and of course, the F1 tranny. This was the first time the F1 is in a 12 cyl car. Ferrari wanted to put it in the F50, but it wasnt ready in time. If you look at the dash on an F50, you will see a screen that was supposed to be the current gear display screen for the f1 system. The rear suspension isnt F1 car suspension. F1 car suspension is extremely stiff (2000+ lb spring rates). The shocks are inbound and are controlled by pushrods, as in an F1 car. It is similar to that of a race car because the engine and tranny are stressed members, that is they act as support for the rear suspension, bumper and body. The F50 is the first road car to ever have this. Ferrari said it was as close to an F1 car as it could make for the street, but i dont agree with this. How could that be true if it had a 12cyl while F1 cars had 10 cyl engines? They could have made it faster and better handling. The one thing it had in common with an f1 car is that its use of a carbon fiber monocoque and the way it was deigned was unique and technologically advanced.
 

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Hi TimN88!
The F50 was presented in Geneva, March 1995. In the 1995 Formula 1 season Ferrari used the 412T2 with a V12 (not V10) engine. The first Ferrari V10 ever was the 1996 F310.
A V10 would certainly not have made the F50 a faster car. With the same engine displacement of 4698cc the single cylinder displacement would increase from 392cc (V12) to 470cc (V10), which would affect combustion efficiency and rev-ability and therefore reduce the power output. The weight and handling advantage of the slightly shorter (difference <3 inches) V10 engine is neglectable for a street car.
 

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For the questions about multiple clutches:

Alot of race cars use multiple clutch DISCS, contained within one pressure plate. The idea is to have more surface area for contact and that allows more power to be transmitted to the wheels.

An example:
The clutch on my 308 is a single, dry, 9 1/2" diameter unit made by AP. The clutch used (on last year's) on the F1 Ferrari is made by AP/Sachs, but is only about 4 1/2" in diameter, but has at least three drive discs. Units like that can transmit over 700 HP. As well, their small diameter allows for lighter weight and low moment-of-inertia = high RPM.
 
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