Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Review

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a V12-powered four-passenger exotic sports car that features dramatic exterior styling and a sumptuously appointed interior. The 612's namesake is Sergio Scaglietti, a famous designer of Ferraris past, including the iconic 250 GTO. Though it looks like a front-engine car, the V12 is actually mounted far enough to the rear of the engine bay that the 612 is classified as a front-midengine design. It's the closest thing to a luxurious grand-touring coupe that the Italian automaker offers, yet it still boasts world-class acceleration and handling worthy of the Ferrari name.

The 612 is the latest V12-powered 2+2 to emerge from Ferrari's stables. Its illustrious ancestors include the America series, the 330 GT 2+2, the 365 GT4 2+2 (a.k.a. Daytona), the 400/412 and most recently the 456. Those are big shoes to fill, but the 612 is more than up to the task. Like its predecessors, it's a Ferrari for those who want most of the performance of harder-edged models in a relatively comfortable package.

Current Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The 5.7-liter V12 in the Ferrari 612 sends 540 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. Mated to a either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed "F1" automated manual transmission, the 612 blasts to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds and doesn't run out of steam until nearly 200 mph.

Available in only one trim level, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 2+2 coupe comes standard with xenon headlights, an adaptive suspension system, a power-closing trunk, rear park assist, automatic dual-zone climate control, power front seats and a navigation system. Also standard is a Bose audio system with Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a 4GB audio storage bank and a rather anachronistic trunk-mounted six-CD changer. Options include heated front seats, run-flat tires and a custom-made leather luggage set. Further performance upgrades are also available, including a quicker-acting F1 gearbox, a sport exhaust system and carbon-ceramic disc brakes.

In a departure from spartan Ferrari interiors of yore, the 612 Scaglietti envelops its passengers in luxury, thanks to luscious leather upholstery and upscale trim pieces galore. While rear-seat access isn't a cinch, there's actually room for two adults back there, as long as their excitement about riding in a Ferrari is sufficient to forestall a mild case of claustrophobia. Furthermore, the 612's trunk can hold 8.5 cubic feet of cargo -- not too shabby for an exotic sports car.

On the road, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti quickly shows that it deserves to wear the prancing horse. The 612's communicative rack is in a class of its own among luxurious GTs, and handling will please all but the most demanding drivers (who probably already have a two-seat Ferrari in their garage anyway). The sweet V12 is as melodious as it is capable, and the 612's revised F1 transmission is a revelation for those familiar with the clunky performance of early F1 gearboxes.

Used Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Models

Designed by Pininfarina, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti debuted for the 2005 model year. Ferrari has made some notable upgrades during the production run. Though unchanged for 2006, the 2007 612 received new audio and navigation systems along with a new display panel and standard parking assist. Further changes to 2007 models included the availability of the quicker-acting F1 gearbox and carbon-ceramic disc brakes.