Ferrari Automobile F512M User Manual
Testarossa, 512 TR & F512M
Ferrari Life
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3
summer, this setup could lead to
the cockpit turning into a sauna
given the effectiveness of the
poor air conditioning. Moving
the radiators to the sides behind
the cabin, also allowed for the
creation of a reasonable size lug-
gage compartment in the front
of the Testarossa. The simple
cabin of the 512 BB was replaced
with leather soaked luxury on
the Testarossa and outfi�ing
the flat 12 engine with “quat-
trovalvoles” allowed it to meet
emission standards everywhere.
The wider wheelbase, more ad-
vanced lower profile tires, and
be�er weight distribution with
more weight hung between the
axles, improved high speed han-
dling, therefore safely opening
more of the cars performance to
a wider range of potential own-
ers.
The Testarossa went
through two major updates dur-
ing its long 12 year run. These
will be covered in detail in the
next section. The most signifi-
cant change was the update to
the 512 TR in 1992.
The basic mechanicals of
the Testarossa are a mid engine
configuration using a 180 de-
gree 12 cylinder dual overhead
cam 4943cc engine, mated to a
5-speed manual gearbox with
a dry double plate clutch. Like
the 308 QV, the Testarossa uses
4 valves per cylinder. The Tes-
tarossa shares the same basic en-
gine block with the 512 BBi but
through revisions to the timing
and cooling systems, new cyl-
inder heads, updated Marelli
Multiplex ignition system, and
Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, it
develops 50 more bhp for a top
speed of 182 mph.
The chassis is welded tu-
bular steel with aluminum body
panels, except for the doors and
roof which are steel. Suspension