By Werner Pfister
Pictures copyright Werner Pfister
Scroll down for photo gallery.
The new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti features the F1a paddle shifter transaxle. Photo courtesy of
Ferrar S.p.A. website.
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Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
On Monday, January 5th, Ferrari introduced the long awaited 2+2 coupe, the 612 Scaglietti. Ferrari S.p.A. President Luca di Montezemolo said that the American market is so important for the company that he decided to debut the 612 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
At 10:30 am the Gruppo Ferrari and Maserati stand was surrounded by the press. Montezemolo came out and stood by the 612, still under a red car cover.
No Smoking here. Shumacher's politically correct 2003 F1 car.
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The exhibit stand was filled with virtually everyone who was involved with the development of the 612. In addition, Sergio Pininfarina headed a contingent of staff from his firm, which had been awarded the design contract for the new 612.
Luca Montezemolo ws onhand to debut the 612, still under red wraps.
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The 612, according to Montezemolo, is an entirely new car which is being built to replace the aging 456M GT. Unlike its predecessor, the 612 name is not based on a measurement of the displacement of one cylinder. Rather, it indicates the total displacement, 5.75 liters, rounded out to 6 liters, and the 12 cylinders which make up the engine configuration.
The platform is entirely new, being constructed entirely out of aluminum in a process co-ventured with Alcoa Aluminum. Like the chassis, the Pininfarina designed body is also aluminum.
The engine is a derivative of the existing 575, but the power has been increased from 515 hp to 540, an increase of 25 hp. This is now mated to a new version of the paddle shifter transmission, called the F1a. The new gearbox
is an updated version of Ferrari's now familiar paddle shift actuated manual
transmission which is mounted at the rear as a transaxle.
Montezemolo was delighted to announce that the resultant weight distribution established a new standard for this class of car, with 46% in the front and 56% at the rear.
The performance is also staggering, with a 0-100 km/h (62mph) of 4.2 seconds with a top speed in excess of 196 mph. Remarkable when you consider that the car weighs 4000 lbs. and is roomy enough to accommodate four passengers.
Sergio Pininfarina was very excited as he discussed the link of the 612 with the 375 MM Paris show car, which his father, Battista Pininfarina designed in 1954. Purchased by Italian director Roberto Rossellini, the 375 MM was one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever created. The new 612 carries forth some of the design elements of the 375MM, including the scallops to the rear of the front fenders—also borrowed by the 1956 Corvette.
50 Years in America
Montezemolo also announced that 2004 was the 50th anniversary of Ferrari in America. It was in 1954 that Luigi Chinetti opened his dealership in New York City and later established the North American Racing Team (NART).
As a result of this historic milestone, every car sold in the U.S. this year will sport a newly created 50th Anniversary medallion on the dashboard.
Although all eyes may have been on the 612, the Ferrari exhibit also displayed a 575, a 360 Spider and the new Challenge Stradale painted in the Scuderia Ferrari colors. Also on the stand was one of Michael Schumacher’s World Championship F1 cars, painted in the politically correct non-tobacco livery.
Maserati Quattroporte
Later in the day, Montezemolo spoke again, this time from the Maserati side of the stage. He announed the North American debut of the new Maserati flagship, the Quattroporte, all new, inside and out. Once again, Sergio Pininfarina spoke about how this project was very emotional for him, as Maserati has not utilized a Pininfarina design since the 1950s.
The four door Maserati has a Ferrari designed and built 4.2 liter V-8 with 400 hp, up ten from the current Maseratis. Like the 612, it incorporates a transaxle and boasts a remarkable weight distribution of 47% at the front and 53% at the rear. The Quattroporte will be marketed as an alternative to the BMW 7 series and Mercedes S class sedans.
Lamborghini Stand
Directly across the aisle was the Lamborghini display. Lamborghini President Dr. Giuseppe Greco was there to talk about the two new Gallardos, one in silver and the other in a stunning yellow metallic, a color which he pointed out, is now inextricably linked with Lamborghini, much as red is linked to Ferrari.
Lamborghini also had a interesting engine on display—the 5 liter Gallardo V-10, producing almost 500 hp. According to Dr. Greco, the Gallardos are now being delivered to customers. Like Ferrari, their customers also like the paddle shift system. They rounded out their display with a black metallic Murcielago.
This time the Maserati Quattroporte features a transaxle.
Another Quattroporte for the family. The first Maserati four door was
made in 1963.
Lamborghini Gallardo now has 500 horsepower.
No doubt about making a statement here. The new Lambo is very striking.
612 interior, featuring the paddle shift which operates the new F1a transaxle.
Another view of the new Quattroporte. Note the portholes.
