Ferrari have unvealed the long expected successor to the 456M GT: The 612
Scaglietti. The new 2+2 has been presented to a selected international group of
important clients in Maranello on October 15, despite of the fact that the official
presentation remains scheduled for the Detroit Motor Show in January 2004.
As shown on the first sketches of the Pininfarina designed car that had been
published some months ago, the lines of the new ”big” Ferrari are a reminiscence
to the 375 MM Berlinetta Speciale Pininfarina ”Bergman” s/n 0456AM. The tail is
very similar to the 575M Maranello. The latter also provided the basic engine for
Ferrari’s new 2+2 — the 5.750 ccm V12 has been slightly revised and now
produces 540 hp at 7.250 rpm. The maximum torque of 589 Nm is reached at
5.250 rpm. The Factory states a figure of ”more than 315 kph” for the car’s top
speed…
For the first time, Ferrari uses the front-mid engine concept on the 612 Scaglietti
which means that the engine is mounted between the front axle and the
passenger compartment. This gives the car an almost ideal weight balance of
46% to the front and 54% to the rear. Weight has been reduced in comparison to
the 456M GT by the massive use of aluminum, making the 612 Scaglietti the first
modern V12-engined Ferrari incorporating this material both in the chassis and
the body.
The car’s designation means ”Six litre 12-cylinder engine” and honours Sergio
Scaglietti, the former owner of the Stabilimenti Scaglietti bodyshop that produced
many bodworks for Ferrari in the 1950s and 1960s prior to the takeover by Ferrari.
Today, Ferrari still produces the bodies of all V8 models in the Scaglietti plant in
Modena.
In Germany, the price of the 612 Scaglietti will be in the region of 210.000,-€. The
first examples should be supplied to the customers in late Spring of 2004.
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