Although it is often said that the famous 500 F2 was a new and naturally revolutionary design by Lampredi, the legendary in-line four-cylinder engine was created for the two and a half litre cylinder capacity and as such was even tested first on the bench then on the track on 2 September 1951 in Bari then in Turin on 6 April 1952. On both occasions the driver was Piero Taruffi and the power developed was between 210 and 230 hp.
It is one of the few cases in which an engine with a cylinder capacity lower than the original design was more successful, as happened with the 500, which was developed by reducing the cylinder capacity from 625 but leaving the external dimensions unchanged. Vice versa, the basic design was taken to the 3500 cc cylinder capacity limit for sports cars.
| Type | front, longitudinal in-line four |
| Bore/stroke | 94 x 90 mm |
| Unitary displacement | 624.58 cc |
| Total displacement | 2498.32 cc |
| Compression ratio | 13 : 1 |
| Maximum power | 154 kW (210 hp) at 7000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 84 hp/l |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Valve actuation | twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder |
| Fuel feed | two Weber 50 DCO carburettors |
| Ignition | two spark plugs per cylinder, two magnetos |
| Lubrication | dry sump |
| Clutch | multi-plate |
| Frame | tubular steel |
| Front suspension | independent, unequal-length wishbones, lower transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers,anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | de Dion, lower transverse leaf spring, twin radius arms,Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Brakes | drums |
| Transmission | 4-speed + reverse |
| Steering | worm and sector |
| Fuel tank | capacity 180 litres |
| Front tyres | 5.25 x 16 |
| Rear tyres | 7.00 x 16 |