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The Ferrari F50 took the flagship family in a new direction in 1995. In place of the F40’s turbocharged V8, it used a naturally aspirated V12 with Formula 1 ancestry. A carbon-fibre monocoque, stressed engine and removable roof made its road-car identity unusually close to the engineering language of a racing car.
F50 at a glance
| Introduction | Geneva Motor Show, 1995 |
| Production status | Completed; historic model |
| Production total | 349 examples |
| Engine | 4,698.50 cc, naturally aspirated 65° V12; longitudinal rear-mid layout |
| Power | 520 CV at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 471 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual |
| Dry weight | 1,230 kg |
| Claimed performance | 0–100 km/h: 3.87 seconds; top speed: 325 km/h |
An engine that helped carry the car
The F50’s engine was a stressed part of the chassis rather than simply a power unit carried within it. Ferrari’s account highlights five valves per cylinder, carbon-fibre construction and push-rod suspension. These details explain the Formula 1 connection more precisely than calling the F50 a racing car with number plates.
The anniversary timing explained
The F50 arrived in 1995, two years before Ferrari’s fiftieth anniversary. Its name therefore should not be used to date its launch to 1997. Ferrari’s 2025 Legacy Tour release explicitly describes that early celebration and confirms the 349-car total.
A distinct place in the family
The removable roof and manual gearbox distinguish the F50’s approach from the Enzo that followed. Our specifications describe the road-going F50. The F50 GT is a separate competition project and its figures should not be substituted into a road-car comparison.
Sources
Ferrari F50 technical specifications; Ferrari F50 Legacy Tour history; Ferrari Italian specification sheet, confirming CV units.
Explore the flagship family
See where this model fits in our Ferrari flagship timeline, from the 288 GTO through F40, F50 and Enzo to LaFerrari and F80.
Published 27 September 2026. CV means metric horsepower. Performance figures are manufacturer claims; this researched guide is not a road test.