The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

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.

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.