At the presentation in Paris.

Initial testing has already taken place.

Detailing is to the highest order.

The rear-mounted Hewland sequential box.

550 Maranello GT Launched in Paris
14.2.00

The first of the 550 Maranellos to be prepared for the FIA GT Championship was presented in Paris on Sunday 13th February.

Re-named the 550 Millennio, the car has been beautifully and elaborately built by the Italtechnica team from Torino and will be run by the GT Racing Development team. In the hands of Fabien Giroux it has already completed two days of testing at the French track of Issorie. A limited production run of 4-5 Millennios has already been sold out and a further production run is planned for 2001. An appearance at Le Mans is also planned in addition to a full season of the FIA GT Championship.

The car has been re-developed from the ground up, with extensive use of carbon fibre and kevlar to bring the weight down to the regulation 1100 kg. The 6.0 litre V-12 has been modified to produce 585 bhp and the drivetrain features a 6-speed Hewland sequential gearbox mounted in the rear of the car, linked to the engine with a carbon fibre prop shaft. Both the clutch and the starter motor are also placed at the rear of the car in an effort to improve weight distribution.

Brakes are massive 8-piston Brembos at the front and 4-piston at the rear. Wheels are O.Z. centre locks, 12” x 18” at the front and 13” x 18” at the rear. Optional carbon fibre brakes are also available when regulations allow.

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