Ferrari Scaglietti will be unveled at the 2004 Detroit auto show

By Henny Hemmes ©HHR

Ferrari unveiled its 612 Scaglietti, a 2+2 coupe with a 540 hp version of the 5,7-liter V-12 engine of the 575 Maranello.

The 612 got its name Scaglietti is to honour couch builder Sergio Scaglietti who worked in Modena at the start of the Ferrari company. He was a master in sculpting aluminium forms and Ferrari dedicated the all aluminium 612 to his memory.

The 612 is designed by Pininfarina and is a mix of a sporty berlinetta and has room for four. It replaces the 456 M and is larger and roomier, but with an aluminium space frame and body it weighs 132 lbs. less. The structural stiffness, however, has been improved 60 %.

The mid-front layout with the engine right behind the front axle, and the gearbox and differential in unit at the rear ensure a low as possible centre of gravity.

The cylinder capacity of the V-12 of 5748 cc – or 6-liter – indicates the number 6 in the 612.

The 515 hp of the engine have been prepped up to 540 hp for the 612 Scaglietti, which accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4,1 s and which reaches a top speed of above 195 mph. The engine works together with a six-speed mechanical gearbox with both a manual and a new generation electro-hydraulic set-up, known as the F1A. It has been designed for fast manual gear shifting with comfortable automatic use.

Good weight distribution (46% front, 54% rear) is enhanced by a performance-oriented handling set-up with active damping and the special CST stability and traction control system, used here for the very first time on a Ferrari.

The 612 will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January and will go on sale in the spring.

16-10-2003