"When we are designing a new Ferrari, we traditionally aim even higher than ever and try to achieve previously unheard of performance. That was also our philosophy during the whole F 137 development process. Our goal was to create a front-engined, rear-wheel drive Grand Tourer with a comfortable cabin that would also offer the same kind of dynamic handling and driving pleasure as a cutting edge berlinetta. It therefore became essential to pull back and lower the car's centre of gravity and make the weight distribution highly innovative.

The result was that we adopted a type of architecture that had never been used before in this category of car, giving it a mid-front engine layout and moving the gearbox into the rear in unit with the differential. It is thanks to that layout plus the power of the new 12-cylinder engine and the careful choice of the mechanical components that the 612 Scaglietti delivers the same kind of pure performance as the most thoroughbred Ferraris."

The idea of creating a four-seater GT with all of the fiery temperament of a sporty Ferrari berlinetta was both thrilling and challenging.

During the preparatory phase of the project, a wide range of different aspects was examined to establish the optimal solutions for a front-engined, rear wheel drive car. Aluminium technology meant that the car would be lighter and safer as well as boasting higher torsional stiffness and beautifully damped vibration. However, near-perfect weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity were also essential factors in delivering the require results in terms of dynamic performance.

Equally when it came to the aerodynamic design of the car, elements that would enhance its qualities were added to the aforementioned architecture, specifically the engine, the traditional heart and symbol of Ferrari, and the mechanical components.

In the 612 Scaglietti, the masses are distributed to favour the front axle. Thanks in part also to the use of differently dimensioned rear and front tyres, and most particularly to the lowering of the car's centre gravity, this solution means that the 612 Scaglietti delivers the same kind of traction, cornering and braking efficiency as the company's sports cars.

The architecture was designed over a generous 2,950 mm wheel base. It sees the engine positioned behind the front axle (mid-front position), the gearbox in unit with the differential at the rear to ensure that the cabin can be pulled back as far as possible, and the centre of gravity 20 mm lower than the 456M. These achievements were, of course, further enhanced by the aluminium structure which makes the car significantly lighter.

The 612 Scaglietti's 46% rear- 54% front weight distribution is unique in its category too and its kerb weight is around 1,840 kg (European version) which translates into an excellent power to weight ratio of 3.2 kg/bhp (measured on dry weight).

The 612 Scaglietti's top speed is in excess of 315 km/h and its 0 a 100 km/h sprint time is just 4.2 seconds.

Aerodynamics

The new Ferrari 2+2's aerodynamics are the fruit of the designers' very specific decision to aim for just the right download without increasing drag. The first step in this process was to optimise the car's form, achieved using a special computer programme developed by Ferrari in collaboration with the University of Pisa. This was followed by intensive testing of a scale model in the wind tunnel to refine certain details of the design. In all, the development of the 612 Scaglietti's aerodynamics took 3,500 hours, half of which were spent in the wind tunnel.

The bodywork styling, developed in close collaboration with Pininfarina, melds functional demands with pure aesthetics. The development of the wheelarches, engine hood, cabin and rear results in a slender, aerodynamic-looking car.

Careful research also went into the design of the underbody of the car (double in the rear section) to ensure optimal air flows. The rear diffuser helps dissipate the heat from both the exhaust system and the gearbox oil radiator.

The results are exceptional, particularly given the fact that this is a front-engined car: Cx 0.34; Cz 0.12 (equivalent to a vertical load of 115 kg at 300 km/h).

Engine

The 612 Scaglietti's engine is a significant development of the prestige 12-cylinder that Ferrari uses in its sports berlinettas. Specifically tailored for the new 2+2, its structure is based on the 575M Maranello's and is the absolute pinnacle of Ferrari's technological achievement.

The engine is a 5,748 cc 65° V12 with twin overhead cams per cylinder bank and four valves per cylinder. The engine crankcase, cylinder heads and sump are all made from light alloy. The dry sump lubrication system features the oil and water pump in unit, with two scavenge pumps and one delivery pump, two oil filters and a dedicated oil radiator. Other features include steel cylinder liners, hydraulic tappets and variable intake manifolds with an extra central plenum that improves the resonance characteristics of the fuel/air charge.

Punching out a massive 540 bhp at 7,250 rpm, the big V12 delivers a good 98 bhp more than the 5,474 cc power unit used on its predecessor, the 456M.

With an internal code number of F133F, the new engine also features various modifications that have optimised its performance and fluid dynamics. The most important are:

- new more direct air intake tracts with separate ducts per cylinder bank from the radiator grille opening on the front bumper;
- new exhaust system geometries and volumes to cut back pressure;
- compression ratio increased to 11.2:1;
- increased discharge coefficient thanks to improved fluid dynamic characteristics of the inlet tracts and exhaust porting.

The electronic control is entrusted to a single Bosch Motronic ME7 CPU per cylinder bank which control the PFI multiplex injection, drive-by-wire. Four sensors are positioned in the engine block to prevent pinking.

Correct torque (60 kgm at 5.250 rpm) and power delivery along the whole power curve mean that the car performances exceptionally well at low to medium speeds too as well as with huge enthusiasm right up until the rev limiter kicks in at 7,600 rpm.

Work on the 612 Scaglietti's handling means that is smoothly responsive making it easy to control in any kind of conditions.

The integrated ignition and fuel injection system will also allows malfunctions to be spotted early on, thus guaranteeing that emission standards are complied with.

Trasmission

The 612 Scaglietti's transaxle transmission sees the rear-mounted gearbox in unit with the differential with bevel-type final drive and limited-slip differential in the same function. This is a six-gear set-up with multi-cone synchronisers. The limited-slip differential is calibrated for 25% under acceleration and 45% on lift off to offer optimal balance between traction and stability in any condition.

Another important innovation in the 612 Scaglietti is the F1A electro-hydraulic gearbox which available in addition to the manual and is controlled using the now classic Ferrari paddle and switch on the central tunnel.

The F1A gearbox (the A stands for Automatic) is one of the sophisticated new generation Formula 1-derived electro-hydraulic systems which Ferrari now uses with great success on all of its road-going models. The software that controls it is optimised for faster, more comfortable gear shifting.

Courtesy of special calibrations, this delivers both ultra-sporty and more comfortable, urban driving. The versatility of the gearbox means that the driver can choose either Manual or Automatic mode at the flick of a switch on the central tunnel. In Manual, the gears are changed using the special paddles mounted just behind the steering wheel (the right hand one to up the gears and the left hand one to move down) without any need to use the automatically controlled clutch. However, the driver just has to flick either the switch on the tunnel forward or the right-hand paddle behind the steering wheel, for the gearbox to go into fully automatic mode. In both cases (Auto or Manual), gear shifting ranges between comfortably fast and sporty, the latter courtesy of the "Sport" button on the steering wheel.

Compared to traditional manual gearboxes, the F1A offers smoother, speedier gear shifting, improves comfort and safety, as the driver never has to raise his hands of the wheel. It also offers significantly improved performance in exceptional comfort.

The 612 Scaglietti's CHASSIS ENGINEERING is also particularly sophisticated.

Steering

The electronic power steering has a two-way electrically adjustable steering column and "easy entry-exit" feature which makes getting into and out of the car even easier than before. The car also boasts speed-sensitive power steering.

Every turn of the wheel equates to 64 mm of play on the rack and pinion steering making it very direct indeed too. In fact, it is the perfect compromise, offering enhanced sporty driving on mixed terrain and excellent control at high speeds.

Suspension

The active damping, variable calibration suspension system offers a high performance yet adaptive set-up. By tuning into the independent active aluminium dampers with coil springs, the system can "read" the road surface characteristics (smooth, bumpy) and instantly evaluate the movements of both the car and suspension.

The forged aluminium double wishbones front and rear are mounted on aluminium and rubber rose joints. They also have anti-dive and anti-squat geometry which prevent the front diving under braking and the rear squatting under acceleration.

The calibration of the dampers is controlled by independent software integrated with the other control systems. The system uses accelerometers to record the movements of the wheels and body, instantly adapting the calibration of the dampers to suit requirements.

The handling set-up along with the suspension geometry and weight distribution makes the bodywork very firm thus enhancing performance and sportiness. And it also offers a surprising level of comfort too.

The ideal balance between handling and comfort for the driving style being used and the type of surface involved can be chosen at the touch a button on the steering wheel: Normal (soft calibration) and Sport (harder sportier use).

Electronic Stability and Traction Control System (CTS)

This is also the first time that the CST electronic stability and traction control system has been used in a Ferrari. It aids the 612 Scaglietti's dynamic handling, leaving the driver a great deal of freedom but still intervening in more difficult or riskier situations.

The CST offers exceptional performance and safety in all kinds of driving conditions. The system integrates and completes the ABS and ASR functions, by also controlling the directional dynamics of the car.

The CST can be selected either for normal or sporty driving (Normal and Sport) or deactiveated using a special steering wheel-mounted button.

Braking System

The 612 Scaglietti's braking system is particularly responsive and resistant to fading, making it the perfect partner to the 2+2's blistering performance. It consists of large diameter, drilled, ventilated discs (345 mm front and 330 mm rear) with four-pot callipers. The brake servo includes twin membranes (one 8" and one 9") and an integral pump, and incorporates special venturis in the connection with the intake plenums that increase the depression inside the servo for greater immediacy and power. The ABS system is a Bosch 5.7 generation.

Combined with the 612's impressive weight distribution and the specially dimensioned tyres, it delivers excellent braking, confirmed by standard Ferrari track stress tests.

Wheels

The 612 Scaglietti's wheels are a highly efficient compromise between performance and weight reduction too. They boast different diameters for an improved performance-comfort ratio (18" front, 19" rear). Also they are cast in aluminium and a roller-coater is used on the channel for optimal distribution of the material (a sophisticated process that optimises metallurgical qualities of the wheel). This results in a 10% reduction in weight over wheels of similar dimensions and design.

The 612 Scaglietti's big tyres (245/45/18 e 285/40/19) are the result of a great deal of hard work on the Fiorano circuit and on out on the road, so that they guarantee just the right level of comfort even in sportier driving conditions.

The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TRMS) also alerts the driver to changes in the tyre pressure via a display.