How much horsepower does a 550 have?
There isn’t a single horsepower figure for a “550”—it depends on the specific model and configuration. Common references place the Ferrari 550 Maranello at about 485 horsepower, the Ford Mustang on the S550 platform ranging from roughly 310 hp in EcoBoost to as high as 760 hp in the Shelby GT500, and the vintage Porsche 550 Spyder at around 110 hp.
What the number 550 refers to in different cars
The term “550” appears in several distinct models across eras, each with its own power output. The figures below illustrate typical, stock configurations to help orient the comparison. For a precise figure, please specify the exact model year and variant.
Ferrari 550 Maranello
Engine and horsepower
The Ferrari 550 Maranello, introduced in 1996, uses a 5.5-liter V12 producing 485 PS (approximately 357 kW) at 7,000 rpm, commonly cited as about 485 horsepower. Torque sits around 568 Nm. This grand tourer delivered a classic front-mid engine experience with strong high-end performance.
Ford Mustang S550 platform (2015 and later)
The S550 is the designation for Mustang models built from 2015 onward; horsepower varies widely by engine and trim.
Before listing variants, note that the following are representative horsepower numbers for common configurations:
- EcoBoost 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder: about 310 horsepower.
- Mustang GT with 5.0L V8: about 435 horsepower in early years, with later updates bringing around 460 horsepower in some trims.
- Mustang Shelby variants: Shelby GT350 around 526 horsepower; Shelby GT500 around 760 horsepower.
In practice, clinicians of performance look at torque delivery and weight as much as raw horsepower. The exact figure depends on the model year, packages, and regional tuning.
Porsche 550 Spyder
The Porsche 550 Spyder, a 1950s racing icon, used a small air-cooled 1.5-liter flat-four engine generating roughly 110 horsepower in factory form. The figure reflects a period-specific output rather than modern horsepower standards. The car’s fame rests as much on its lightweight design and handling as on peak horsepower.
Notes on horsepower figures
Horsepower numbers can differ depending on measurement standards (DIN vs SAE) and whether a vehicle is stock or equipped with options. For performance enthusiasts, the overall performance is influenced by torque, power delivery, and vehicle weight as much as the raw horsepower figure.
Summary
Ultimately, there isn’t a single number that answers how much horsepower a 550 has. The figure depends entirely on which 550 you mean: the Ferrari 550 Maranello sits around 485 hp; the Ford Mustang S550 lineup spans roughly 310 hp to 760 hp depending on engine and packages; the vintage Porsche 550 Spyder sits around 110 hp. For an accurate figure, identify the exact model year and trim, then verify the official specification for that configuration.
