Working in Modena right at the start of Enzo Ferrari's great adventure, Sergio Scaglietti bodied some of the most beautiful cars ever to emerge from Maranello. Scaglietti did not rely on pencil and paper to create his magnificent designs but worked like a sculptor, fashioning their forms from aluminium. Ferrari S.p.A. President Luca di Montezemolo has dedicated the beautiful, understated and historically important all-aluminium 612 to the memory of that great designer.
For the first time, Ferrari will manufacture a 12-cylinder model with both the space-frame chassis and body panels in aluminium, built entirely in-house at Modena, Northern Italy, in the dedicated Scaglietti light-alloy technologies facility. The benefits of this construction method include a 60% increase in structural rigidity and significant weight savings of 60 kg compared to the current 456M GTA — despite the new car's larger dimensions.
The overall layout — engine mounted behind the front axle, gearbox in unit with the differential at the rear — ensures an well balanced weight distribution (46% front, 54% rear), as well as permitting a lower centre of gravity, which benefits the dynamic behaviour of the car. The performance-orientated handling is enhanced by active damping and a new stability and traction control system, making its first-ever appearance on a Ferrari.
The 612's 5748 cc, 12-cylinder, 48-valve, 65°V engine is a product of the most advanced Ferrari technology. The all-aluminium power unit has a compression ratio of 11.2:1 and generates a maximum output of 540 PS at 7,250 rpm, with 434 lb ft (588 Nm) of torque at 5,250 rpm. The new car is expected to accelerate from standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds, and to achieve a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h).
All 612 models will be fitted with a six-speed mechanical gearbox, with a choice of manual, and F1-style paddle shifts. Newly developed for the 612, the electro-hydraulic system is known as the F1A. It is designed to deliver both fast and ultra-smooth gear changes.
Designed by Pininfarina to epitomise dynamism and elegance, the 612 brings the name of Sergio Scaglietti back into public awareness. Scaglietti is the coachbuilder who brought to life some of the most beautiful Ferrari models in the 1950s and 60s. The new 612 features scalloped sides that recall the famous 375 MM he created for Italian film director Roberto Rossellini as a gift to his then-wife Ingrid Bergman.
With a significantly longer wheelbase than the 456M, the 612 has been designed to offer ease of entry for rear-seat passengers to an outstandingly luxurious cabin which will accommodate four adults in comfort. On-board comfort is boosted for the driver by the adoption of 'new generation' ergonomics for the instrument binnacle and steering-wheel mounted and fascia-mounted controls; and for passengers by the fitting of dual-zone climate control and a high-end Bose sound system, specifically tailored to suit the unique acoustics of the leather and aluminium trimmed interior.
The capacity of the luggage compartment has been enlarged to 240 liters — 25% bigger than the 456M — and will hold a five-piece Ferrari luggage set or two full sets of golf clubs. The new 612 model is 139 mm longer, 37 mm wider, and 44 mm taller than the 456M, with the wheelbase increased by 350 mm to ensure the latest Ferrari is a genuine 2+2 four seater.
First deliveries of the 612 Scaglietti in Europe are scheduled for March 2004, with right-hand drive models for the UK anticipated from mid-2004. Prices will be announced later this year.
Specifications Overall length 4902 mm Overall width 1957 mm Height 1344 mm Wheelbase 2950 mm Front track 1688 mm Rear track 1641 mm Kerb weight 1840 kg Tyres Front 245/45 -18" Rear 285/40 -19" Engine Cylinders 65° V12 Bore/stroke 89 x 77 mm Unit displacement 479 cc Total displacement 5748 cc Compression ratio 11.2:1 Max power 540 bhp @ 7250 rpm Max torque 588 Nm (434 lbft) @ 5250 rpm