Ferrari 575m Maranello

Slow down, drop two gears and the bark of the engine acts like a teacher cracking a cane. Other cars fall meekly into line like scolded schoolchildren as the Ferrari glides by. From behind the wheel, it's clear that this is much more than just a car. It's a national hero.

Ferrari has responded to the threat posed by the likes of Britain's Aston Martin Vanquish and Germany's forthcoming Mercedes SLR with a new flagship Grand Tourer. On sale in the UK next month, it's a development of the stunning 550 Maranello launched in 1996. This latest evolution of the luxury GT sees the enormous 485bhp 5.5-litre engine replaced by an even bigger 515bhp 5.75-litre V12.

Christened the 575M Maranello, it's the most powerful road car Ferrari has ever built. The number 575 refers to the engine displacement, the letter M stands for 'modified' to highlight the fact that each and every aspect of the newcomer has been worked on.

Ferrari is giving customers greater choice than before, too. As well as an optional six-speed semi-automatic F1-style gearbox being offered for the first time, a stripped-out race-style interior is available. Externally, the 575M's styling is similar to the 550's. A subtly updated new front features a larger bonnet air intake and revised spoiler, while the headlights and wheels have been redesigned. Changes are more radical under the skin. The increased capacity of the V12 not only boosts power, it raises torque by 20Nm to 589Nm. As a result, the Ferrari, which weighs 1,730kg, sprints from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and tops 200mph.

To be certain that this extra power can be controlled, Ferrari's engineers have developed an adaptive handling system featuring individually controlled suspension dampers, which are capable of adjusting to cope with different driving conditions. A Comfort mode delivers a more refined ride than that of the 550, while switching to Sport stiffens the settings to boost traction.

Twist the ignition key and the electric starter motor sends a burst of high-pitched sound through the cabin before the V12 spins purposefully into life. With your foot on the brake pedal, squeeze the gearshift paddle marked 'up' and a digital display in the rev counter registers first gear.

Squeeze the throttle gently and the 575M slithers away from rest with the refinement of a limousine. Don't let this lull you into thinking that the Ferrari is all show and no go. Jab at the throttle and the rear wheels respond immediately