The Meaning and Magic of The Ferrari “M”

When Ferrari decides to release a car, it’s generally safe to say that it’s about as great as it can be, with hundreds of millions of dollars and some of the greatest engineering minds on the planet being involved in its research and development. While there are a number of other carmakers for whom there is a healthy aftermarket tuning community - some of which, like AMG with Mercedes, improve the cars so much that they become official parts of the brand - there are precious few people out there who are believed to be able to actually better what’s already come out of Maranello. But once in a while, Ferrari themselves decide that they can make even better versions of the models they currently produce, and when that happens, these cars receive a very special designation- the “M”.

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The M in this case stands for “Modificata” and symbolizes that these models represent a significant step beyond normal lifecycle upgrades. Yes, these M versions are usually released at the end of a given model’s production span, just prior to the release of a completely distinct new model to replace it, but these M cars are far from just a marketing stunt to squeeze the last dollars out of an outgoing product. To earn this M moniker the minds of Maranello must deem these upgrades to be truly something special, and as evidence of just how seriously an M designation is taken, only three roadgoing Ferrari models have ever worn the badge. 

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F512 M (1994 - 1996)

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In the fall of 1984, Ferrari introduced what would quickly become one of the most iconic models in the carmaker’s storied history- The Testarossa. The Testarossa would receive its first major update in 1991, in a car which to the untrained eye was visually quite similar to the original but contained a number of mechanical and engineering upgrades and was sold as the 512TR. While journalists and owners alike agreed that the 512TR marked a substantial improvement in power, performance, and driving characteristics over the “standard” Testarossa - if such an adjective could ever be used in reference to one of the greatest exotic poster cars of all time - Ferrari wasn’t quite yet done tinkering with the car that had become the global representation of its brand. In late 1994, ten years to the date of the introduction of the original Testarossa at the Paris Auto Show, Ferrari revealed the ultimate iteration of its side-straked supercar: The F512 M. 

This was, not coincidentally, not the first car to ever receive the “512M” designation. 512 had appeared in 1969, designating the 5 liter v12 engine powering their latest racecar, the 512S. But when the 512S began finishing behind the Porsche 917 in a number of races, Ferrari’s engineers retooled the car completely and introduced for the end of the 1970 season as the 512M, explaining the “M” was for Modificata to represent the numerous modifications, and the upgraded car claimed a number of victories over its German rival. Ferrari is a brand that is fiercely protective of its legacy, so if they were to apply the “512 M” badging to a road car, it better be a magnificent one, and the F512 M was certainly that. 

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Released in a gap between the F40 and F50 hypercars, the 434 horsepower F512 M was not only Ferrari’s fastest car at the time, it was one of the fastest cars in the world. Weight saving was one of the goals of the various Modificata of the F512 M, and a full sixteen pounds was struck from the weight of the engine using lightweight, high performance components such as titanium connecting rods, lighter pistons, and an aluminum engine cover. Throttle response was improved through freer-flowing intakes and fuel injection, and the joy of stomping on the go-pedal was further elevated via a revised exhaust which produced intoxicating sounds at wide open throttle. The suspension geometry was revised to help optimize weight balance, and the addition of retuned shocks and springs and a new stabilizer bar design resulted in what was considered unequivocally the best handling version of the Testarossa.

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While the “cheese grater” side air intakes made the lineage of the F512 M clear, the exterior changes were far more significant than those of the 512TR. Most noticeable were the headlights, where the Testarossa’s signature pop-up headlights had been swapped out for fixed, perspex covered lights. Two F40 inspired air vents were added near the windscreen, while front bumper received a revised pair of air intakes of its own, giving the grille a “smile” which would carry forward into the design of its successor, the 550 Maranello. The rear of the already wide Testarossa/512TR was widened even further, to an astounding 77.8 inches, and two pairs of round tail lights replaced the rectangular, horizontal rear grille which had been a distinguishing feature of the prior two models. The interior received carbon fiber trim, still a relative novelty at the time, as well as more supportive and comfortable seats, and it all sat on newly designed, 18” magnesium alloy “dancing star” wheels, which have been voted amongst the greatest factory wheel designs of all time.

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In all, just 501 F512 M were ever built, making it one of Ferrari’s rarest modern production road cars. By comparison, 1315 F40’s were sold, making them almost 3 times as common as a F512 M. While the aesthetic changes may be somewhat polarizing, the improvements, or perhaps in this case, the “M”provements made for an undeniably excellent car, and constantly increasing auction prices which seemed destined to reach seven figures go to show that no one makes a Ferrari a better Ferrari than Ferrari.

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456M GT/GTA (1998-2003)

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In 1992, shortly after the release of the 512TR, Ferrari debuted the 456 GT. It was Ferrari’s first 2+2 grand tourer since the demise of the 412, and at the time of its development, the 436hp 5.5l V12 made it the most powerful production road car ever built by Ferrari. The Pininfarina penned styling was far more subtle than that of its V12 stablemate the 512TR, but that robust powerplant, mated to one of Ferrari’s first 6-speed manual transmissions made it a proper gentleman’s continent crosser. 

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While the 456 received only subtle upgrades during its first years of production, the 456 became the second production road car to receive Ferrari’s “Modificata” treatment. One of the biggest upgrades was purely practical- cooling issues had been a common complaint with the early cars when driven hard for extended periods, and a more efficient radiator and redesigned cooling fans plus the addition of underbody vents made sure this grand tourer was ready for a proper grand tour. While the already ample power of the 5.5l V12- a relatively unstressed engine which has proven to be one of Ferrari’s most reliable- remained unchanged, the order of cylinder firing was reprogrammed to allow for smoother operation. Much of the stylistic changes were in regards to improved aerodynamics, with a reshaped hood and front bumper that featured a wider grille which now integrated the foglights and allowed for increased airflow. Subtle changes were made to the rear as well to improve high speed stability. 

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The “M” also had a heavily revised suspension, which successfully managed to combine two things that may seem at odds with each other by providing more precise handling as well as a more comfortable ride. This was achieved through a combination of improved geometry and new shocks with an electronic adaptive damping system, which allowed the driver to select between sport and comfort settings. New brakes and calipers decreased stopping distance, and a completely overhauled electrical system did away with some of the “gremlins” around window and seat controls that the early cars experienced. New seats, new dash gauges, and more powerful climate controls completed the package. The “M”provements took the 456 from what was already a very good high powered GT to a truly great one, and in our book, the 456M GT remains one of the most underrated modern Ferraris and a spectacular value. 

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Portofino M (2020-2023)

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When Ferrari introduced the California as their first hard-top convertible 2+2 grand tourer in 2008, it was one of the only Ferraris in recent memory that many considered a “miss”. Despite strong sales, it was deemed too “soft” and lacking in that undefinable Ferrari magic. This did not go unnoticed by the powers that be in Maranello, who set out to silence the critics and prove that a less hard-core, daily usable convertible GT could still provide all the power, sounds, and emotions for which the prancing horse was rightly famous with the introduction of its successor, the Portofino, in 2017. 

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Flavio Manzoni’s design team took their scalpels to the bodywork to produce a car that managed to look both elegant and menacing, with wind-tunnel created lines that gave the Portofino the appearance that it was going fast even when standing still. Beneath that body was a masterwork of technology and engineering, with a chassis constructed from no less than a dozen different alloys. This made the Portofino almost 40% more rigid than the California which, combined with a state-of-the-art magnetorheological suspension, resulted in handling that once again felt proper Ferrari. It was propelled by a twin-turbo V8 good for 592hp and 561lb/ft of torque making the Portofino a true iron fist in a velvet glove- or in this case, a well tailored Italian suit.

The Portofino was praised by those who had doubted the California as a successful return to form, but Ferrari had a few more tricks up their sleeve when they unvelied the Portofino M in the fall of 2020. In a departure from the “back to the drawing board” ethos of previous Modificata models, Ferrari borrowed from the parts bin to upgrade the Portofino. But what a parts bin it was. The M received the same engine that was found in the Roma, which produced a staggering 612hp. The seven speed transmission was upgraded to the lightning fast, eight-gear box from SF90 Stradale. A “race” mode was added to the steering wheel’s Manettino switch to prove the M was far more than just a country-club cruiser, and an upgraded exhaust which removed the silencers provided a soundtrack that confirmed this car meant business. Slight adjustments to the front bumper and rear diffuser added and even styling cues improved downforce, and assured the word “soft” would never again be used in relation to Ferrari’s open-air 2+2.

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 While it’s anyone’s guess which Ferrari model will be the next to receive the “Modificata” treatment, one can be certain these “M”provements will be “M”pressive, and M,M, good.

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