Nine years ago, at the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Ferrari revealed the striking 612 Scaglietti, a four-seater coupé with a 315km/h top speed...
The new car, with its Pininfarina-styled bodywork echoing the famous 1950s ‘Ingrid Bergman’ Ferrari 375 MM, was the first of a new generation of Ferraris with even more power (533bhp from its 5748cc V12) and robotised-manual, six-speed transmission, although a traditional manual was still an option.
It replaced the 456 GT and has only recently been superseded by the 4WD FF.
The big GT (it was 4902mm long) soon became the favoured vehicle for Ferrari owners with families. In common with the 599 GTB, which was launched at the 2006 Geneva Show, the 612 Scaglietti offered blistering acceleration above 250km/h. Performance-wise, the cars were dramatic improvements on even the already potent 575 Maranello.
Handling and braking on the 612 Scaglietti was on a par with the company’s two-seaters, too, with carbon composite material discs an option and – later – standard equipment.
Inside, the hand-built nature of the car was such that no two are likely to be the same. Later in its life the 612 Sessanta (2007) was offered as an edition limited to just 60 pieces to celebrate six decades of Ferrari. The car came with 19in forged aluminium wheels, black chrome exhaust tips and a three-position electrochromatic glass roof.
Nowadays, a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can be purchased for as little as £50,000 – 60,000 from an independent dealer, with official Ferrari agencies offering warrantied cars for a touch more. The car offers stellar performance that will eat a DB9 or Vanquish for breakfast, genuine practicality for four (with a small boot, though) and dramatic styling from Pininfarina.
Related Links The 612 Scaglietti seen in the pictures is currently being offered by Auto Salon Singen; to see the full advert, click here To browse the rest of Singen's inventory, click here. Both modern and classic Ferraris can be found in the Classic Driver Marketplace. |
Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Auto Salon Singen