Ferrari F50 - Best Ferraris ever

Ferrari's follow-up to the F40 didn't gain the same cult status, but is arguably the better car to drive

Years: 1995-1997Engine: 4.7-litre V12, 513bhpTransmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel driveTop speed: 202mphNumber built: 349Current value: £1.3million

With the success of the F40, Ferrari realised it was onto a nice little earner by celebrating its anniversary with a special edition, limited run supercar. But with the 50 birthday of Ferrari on the horizon, how exactly could the Italian firm better the F40? Simple: create the F50.

This time around, the limited-run supercar would feature Formula One technology, as power came from a 4.7-litre V12 that was based on the 3.5-litre V12 used in the 1990 Ferrari 641 F1 car, raced by Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell. It was also used in the successful 333SP sportscar in the mid 1990s. However, unlike the F1 car, the F50 used a conventional six-speed gearbox with Ferrari's traditional H-pattern open gate gearlever, instead of a semi-auto.

The F50's bodywork was designed by Pininfarina, but its bloated shape and combination of curves and F40-style rear wing didn't do the car any favours. That race-inspired V12 needed plenty of cooling, too, so there are lots of cut-outs in the bodywork, and the whole rear end is a large grille to let hot air out of the engine bay.

As well as the F1-sourced engine, the F50 featured F1-style pushrod suspension with in-board springs and dampers, and adaptive dampers developed from the electronics used in Formula One. The lightweight Speedline magnesium alloy wheels had bespoke rubber supplied by F1 tyre supplier Goodyear, while the car's 1,230kg dry weight meant this +500bhp machine had a claimed top speed of 202mph.

Unfortunately, the F50 isn't quite as sought after as the F40. While only 349 were built - compared to over 1,300 F40s - prices today are level pegging between the two. This is a shame, because when our sister magazine Evo brought the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo together, the F50 proved to be the best car on test, thanks to its communicative steering and natural responses that were unspoilt by electronic assistance.

Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

Recommended

Ferrari’s next hypercar spied testing with hybrid power and big aero
Ferrari 'F250' hypercar - front
News

Ferrari’s next hypercar spied testing with hybrid power and big aero

The next chapter in Ferrari’s hypercar story is about to open, following on from LaFerrari, Enzo, F50 and F40…
24 Nov 2023
New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute
Ferrari 499P Modificata - front 3/4
News

New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute

This is your chance to live out your dreams of winning the famous 24-hour endurance race, in a super-exclusive Ferrari
30 Oct 2023
New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy
Ferrari SP-8 - front
News

New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy

Feast your eyes on this bold Ferrari - created for just one special customer
24 Oct 2023
Top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Mercedes 300 SLR
Features

Top 10 most expensive cars ever sold at auction

What is the most expensive car ever sold at auction? We list the most valuable cars ever to go under the hammer
21 Aug 2023

Most Popular

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
7 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month

All-electric MPV offers style and substance - making it our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 6 December
6 Dec 2023
Toyota Yaris review
Toyota Yaris - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Toyota Yaris review

An efficient hybrid powertrain and plenty of standard kit make the Toyota Yaris a key contender in the supermini segment
6 Dec 2023