Vehicle Overview
Introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, the 612 Scaglietti 2+2 coupe is the successor to Ferrari’s 456M GT/GTA coupe. Bigger and lighter than the 456M, the 612 is named for Sergio Scaglietti, a coachbuilder in Modena, Italy, who worked with Enzo Ferrari in the company’s early years.
With its 540-horsepower V-12, Ferrari says the coupe can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Other than trim and option revisions, little has changed for the 2006 model year.
Billed by Ferrari as a “genuine four-seater,” the 612 Scaglietti is the company’s first V-12-powered car to feature all-aluminum construction. Even the interior is built with aluminum components. Active damping and a Stability and Traction Control system are installed.
Exterior
The 612 Scaglietti’s styling is the work of the Pininfarina organization, which has designed a long list of Ferrari models over the years. Some details, including the car’s concave, scalloped flanks, are meant to recall the unique Pininfarina-styled 375 MM Ferrari that was given by film director Roberto Rosselini to his new bride, actress Ingrid Bergman. Otherwise, the body benefits from clean lines with little ostentation.
Overall, the new coupe displays a teardrop profile — especially at the cockpit, which sits considerably farther back than usual. The engine sits behind the front axle, and the gearbox and differential are mounted at the rear. Front and rear overhangs are short.
Moving the cockpit, fuel tank and battery rearward helped produce what Ferrari calls very normative weight distribution: specifically, 46 percent at the front and 54 percent at the rear, which is surprising for a front-engine automobile.
A low, mouth-shaped grille contains horizontal bars and Ferrari’s famed prancing horse logo in the center. Integrated headlight covers blend neatly into the front fenders, which flank a long hood. Built on a 116.1-inch wheelbase, the 612 Scaglietti is 193 inches long overall and stands 52.9 inches tall. The front tires measure P245/45ZR18, while the rear ones are sized P285/40ZR19.
Interior
Four people can sit inside the 612 Scaglietti, which is fitted with aluminum and leather. Ferrari says all four riders can get in and out easily. The 8.5-cubic-foot trunk can hold a six-piece set of specially designed luggage. If desired, Carrozzeria Scaglietti can personalize the interior. Dual-zone climate control and a Bose audio system are standard.
Under the Hood
Ferrari’s 65-degree V-12 engine displaces 5.8 liters and generates 540 hp at 7,250 rpm. Torque output is 434 pounds-feet at 5,250 rpm. A six-speed-manual gearbox or a Formula One-style electrohydraulic system is available for semi-automatic operation using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
Safety
Vented-disc antilock brakes are standard.