The 612 Scaglietti is one of Ferrari’s V12 masterpieces that is seldom brought up in conversations. The 2+2 Coupe grand tourer is, however, an extremely capable performance machine that has become more desirable over time. The 612 Scaglietti pays homage to the famous Italian coachbuilder, Sergio Scaglietti, who was responsible for designing some of the most beautiful Ferraris of the 1950’ and 1960s.

Launched in 2004 at the North American International Motor Show, the 612 Scaglietti divided opinion over its styling. Purists criticized the design as being too conservative and, from some angles, even unattractive. What’s more, the 612 also came with a hefty price tag of $313,000, making it one of the most expensive Ferrari of its time.

However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the sleek, aerodynamic 612 Scaglietti was, by every measure, a far better performer than the car it replaced, the Ferrari 456. Indeed, the new flagship boasted a raft of technological innovations, superior comfort for four adults, and astonishing performance.

In 2007, the 612 acquired a superfast F1 transmission and the stunning electro-chromatic glass roof, as first seen in the 575M Superamerica. Only 3025 cars rolled out of the Maranello factory, 199 of them with a manual transmission. The stunning Ferrari FF replaced the 612 Scaglietti in 2011.

This elegant ‘Gentleman’s Express’ is finally getting the recognition it deserves with used prices, according to classic.com, averaging $80,000. Interestingly, models fitted with the rare manual transmission were cheaper when new they are now worth much more and are highly sought after if you can find one!

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Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Styling Was Controversial

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Rear Quarter Image
Via: Ferrari

Although the sleek Coupe was not an immediate hit with Ferrari aficionados, today, it has become a highly desirable 2+2 grand tourer. Measuring almost five meters in length, the Pininfarina silhouette of the 612 Scaglietti is instantly recognizable as a Ferrari product with its drawn flanks and sweeping lines. Notably, the 612’s design echoes that of the Ferrari 375 MM ‘Ingrid Bergman’ Coupe of 1954.

Production of the 612 aluminum body started at Ferrari’s Carrozara Scaglietti plant, then transferred to the Maranello factory for interior fittings and engine installation. What’s more, this was the Italian automaker's second all-aluminum Ferrari after the 360 Modena, making the 612 lighter and stiffer than its predecessor. Moreover, Ferrari went on to use the platform with the brilliant Ferrari 599.

It seems the front-end styling of the 612 received the most criticism with its less aggressive, rounded fascia and the endless hood supporting the somewhat unusual oval headlights. Granted, the design is entirely subjective, however, the view of the car from the rear three quarters is rather attractive. Indeed, the polished quad exhaust pipes denote its performance potential, while the sunken round tail lights are typical Ferrari.

Considered to be one of Ferrari’s more modest designs to come out of Maranello, in terms of comfort, the 612 Scaglietti is certainly one of the finest. Furthermore, the superb cabin of the 612 Scaglietti is well laid out and adorned with Italian leather. In addition, the dashboard is simple but tasteful, with all switchgear within easy reach of the driver.

The bucket seats provide superb comfort and support for traveling long distances. What’s more, the 612 comes with two sculptured seats in the back that can comfortably accommodate two adults, making it a true four-seater, unlike a Porsche 911.

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The 612 Had A Majestic Italian V12 Up Front

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti V12 Engine Top Image
Via: Ferrari

The long hood of the 612 Scaglietti harbors a 5.7 liter, naturally aspirated V12 powerplant, not quite the six-liter displacement as the 612 moniker suggests. What is interesting, however, is that the 612 shares the same engine as the Ferrari 575 Superamerica with 533 Italian horses and 434 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the 612 Scaglietti boasts a mid-front engine configuration, sitting behind the front axle to ensure excellent weight distribution and perfect balance.

Weighing 4078 lbs, the Ferrari Coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around four seconds from a standing start. What’s more, the 2+2 GT will reach a top speed of just shy of 200 mph. Power is, of course, delivered to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast F1-style, six-speed sequential gearbox or an open gated six-speed manual. Indeed, the manual gearbox was much preferred by purists.

The 612 HGT-S (Sport) and 612 HGT-C (Competizione) variants gave the car a sportier edge by adding faster F1 gear changes, a different exhaust system, a ceramic composite braking system, performance suspension, and unique alloy wheels.

It’s true to say, that running costs will concern a few Ferrari owners, which is just as well because the 612 returns around 13 MPG combined.

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The 612 Was Both A Comfortable Cruiser & A Ferocious Coupe

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Interior Image
Via: Ferrari

The 612 Scaglietti makes an excellent GT car providing high levels of comfort with a magical V12 up front. However, with one turn of the Mannetino dial, on the steering wheel, it becomes a hardcore performance machine, with a monumental 533 horsepower on standby.

That Italian V12 makes a pretty sensational sound, and the symphony from the quad exhaust pipes is simply mesmerizing. Not only does the 612 have responsive steering, but it also boasts superb body control, thanks partly to the excellent weight distribution. What’s more, the surge of power seems to be endless through the rev range. In addition, the fast gear shifts and sharp handling enable the prancing horse to cover ground at a phenomenal pace while seating four adults in superior comfort.

Source: Ferrari