Autoblog

Ferrari reportedly confirms all-wheel drive hybrid system

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Ferrari, Rumormill

Ferrari 612 replacement test mule - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's long been suspected that Ferrari was hard at work developing a hybrid powertrain for its line of supercars and grand touring machines, especially since a series of patents were unearthed proving that the Italian automaker had at least sketched plans for such a system. Still, Ferrari had never confirmed such rumors.

That is until now, at least according to Autocar. An unnamed source tells the British magazine that the hybrid drivetrain will debut on the next-gen 612 (could the recently-spotted long-wheelbase 612 be a hybrid mule?) with a pair of torque-laden electric motors that will be connected to the front wheels. Ferrari's traditional V12 or possibly a turbocharged V8 engine would send power to the GT car's rear wheels.

As befitting an automobile wearing the coveted Prancing Horse badge, Ferrari is said to be using the system to benefit handling and not to improve fuel efficiency. Whatever the case, we'll surely know more by 2014 or so when Ferrari is actually expected to have the hybrid ready for production.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti replacement mule

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari reportedly confirms all-wheel drive hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: First longer-wheelbase Ferrari 612 Scaglietti replacement spotted

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:14:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari 612 replacement test mule - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ferrari is reportedly currently working on the three V12 cars that will replace its comparable current offerings: the 612 Scaglietti, 599 GTB, and Enzo. The 612's follow-on will be the first one to arrive, likely in early 2012, and another mule has been spotted out and about. It still sports the hood scoop (bigger engine with more power, anyone?) and California-style stacked tailpipes, and it looks like it might have a longer wheelbase to boot.

Rumor has it that the new direct-injected V12 will be 40 percent less polluting and get 40 percent better gas mileage than the 5.7-liter V12 presently in use, even as it's expected to get a slight 7-horsepower bump to 540. The fuel economy increase would provide a very respectable 16 MPG - not bad for a car that ought to hustle to 60 MPH in about 4.5 seconds. Check out a host of new spy photos in our gallery below. In case you're curious, the sticker on the steering wheel boss which reads "Betrieb nur mit geschlossener Motorhaube" is an instruction telling drivers that the engine should only be started with the hood closed.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti replacement mule

[Image: CarPix]

Spy Shots: First longer-wheelbase Ferrari 612 Scaglietti replacement spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari CEO outlines dates for Enzo, 612, 599 replacements

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

With the new 458 Italia ready to go, the 458 Spider on its way, and the California still fresh on the market, Ferrari is turning its attention from the V8 range to its V12 flagships. CAR sat down with the company's CEO and managing director Amedeo Felisa, who revealed the full roll-out schedule for not one, not two, but three new V12 supercars currently under development in Maranello.

First up is the 612 Scaglietti, which has been on the market since 2004. That may not seem like a long product life cycle, but considering the lackluster Scag hasn't exactly won the hearts and minds of enthusiasts and customers, Ferrari is apparently moving ahead with its replacement, due to hit the market by 2012.

Around the same time, we can expect to see the long-anticipated supercar to follow in the footsteps of the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo. Although Ferrari has been working on hybrid propulsion and other forms of green technology, those bits won't be ready by the time the Enzo's successor rolls around, so expect a more conventional V12 (or possibly twin turbo V8) to drive Maranello's new benchmark.

The replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano, meanwhile, will take a little longer. The two-seat GT was introduced a few years ago and recently treated to a new HGTE package to keep it ahead of the competition. But although the new 458 is already expected to outgun the Fiorano, and with arch-rival Lamborghini hard at work on a successor to the Murcielago, Ferrari isn't planning to replace the 599 before 2015.

[Source: CAR]

Ferrari CEO outlines dates for Enzo, 612, 599 replacements originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 successor spotted in the wild

Noah Joseph — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Ferrari

Earlier this month, sharp shooters brought us our first glimpse of the test mule under development to replace the gargantuan Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, and now we're getting a closer look... with some camouflage. As the big V12 four-seater is the oldest model in the Ferrari range, logic dictates that it should be next up for replacement. However, there remain more questions than answers as to the nature of the new grand tourer.

Rather than update the current 612, sources suggest that its replacement will be an all-new model. Expect the Enzo-derived engine to provide the motivation in the place of the 575-derived V12 that initially powered the Scaglietti. So far all we can tell is that the tail pipes have been reconfigured in a stacked arrangement like those on the California, while at the front, a big square box protrudes from the hood to house whatever kind of next-gen powertrain Ferrari has in store. Ferrari's been known to be working on a part-time all-wheel-drive system to help handling and traction, while a KERS-derived hybrid braking system could also find its way into the 612 successor and direct injection is likely to be employed. Sources suggest the new GT to debut in 2011, but we wouldn't be surprised to see it arrive sooner.

[Source: NextAutos.com]

Spy Shots: Ferrari 612 successor spotted in the wild originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camo Cameo: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti ready for desert storming

Noah Joseph — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Ferrari, Specialty

Can you see it? Click above to view the camouflaged Ferrari 612 Scaglietti in our gallery

Try playing hide-and-go-seek with a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and you're bound to lose. At over sixteen feet in length, the two-door GT is longer than a Hummer H3 and nearly as long as a Mercedes S-Class. But one owner may have found the key. This desert-camo Prancing Horse was spotted by Ferrari Chat board member "elipinsk" in the wilds of Germany.

Speculation was that it was yet another creation of Bathing Ape founder Nigo, along the same lines as his camouflaged Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bugatti Veyron and classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. We might have placed it among Saddam Hussein's corral of high-end automobiles, but indications are that it actually belongs to a local real estate developer. And not in the Persian Gulf, either, but in Wiesbaden, Germany. The "intriguing" treatment appears to have been done with a vinyl wrap, so at least it can be reversed fairly painlessly, which is more than we can say for its application.

Gallery: Camouflaged Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

[Source: FerrariChat.com via autoblog.nl]

Camo Cameo: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti ready for desert storming originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Replacement for Ferrari 612 Scaglietti could get a greener engine

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Supercars, Ferrari

There's been discussion recently of an updated 599 GTB Fiorano and a replacement for the F430, but the oldest Ferrari in the stable is the 612 Scaglietti. So it would stand to reason that Maranello would be planning to replace the controversial 2+2 flagship before its smaller siblings were updated, and reason may now be affirmed by the latest reports and spy shots emanating from Europe.

This prototype Scaglietti was spied around the factory in Maranello wearing some intriguing bodywork around the front section, suggesting that Ferrari may be testing a new or updated V12 engine for the 612's replacement. With increasing pressure to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, Ferrari could be working on a more efficient powerplant for the next generation of its largest model.

The current Scaglietti has been on the market essentially unchanged since 2003, and its replacement is tipped to arrive by 2011.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Spy Shots: Replacement for Ferrari 612 Scaglietti could get a greener engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari recalls 612 Scaglietti with F1 transmission

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Ferrari

2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti shown for illustrative purposes

If you are lucky enough to be driving a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, you probably have the company's automated manual F1 gearbox helping you swap the cogs. With its faster-than-Schumacher shifts, the F1 tranny can make just about anyone feel like a pro. Unfortunately, it can also leave you stranded if heat build-up triggers the clutch sensor. Thus, Ferrari has instituted an official recall of all 612 Scagliettis that could be affected by this finnicky F1 gearbox. Altogether, 366 of the vehicles are being recalled to replace this sensor as well as a related cable holder and magnet that might cause difficult shifting or even complete inoperation. Only model year 2005-2007 612s are affected. If you have one of these in your garage, then you will probably be hearing from your dealer shortly. You can check out the official recall notice from the NHTSA after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari recalls 612 Scaglietti with F1 transmission

Ferrari recalls 612 Scaglietti with F1 transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vandenbrink dreams up Ferrari 612 shooting brake

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Supercars, Ferrari

UPDATE: Another view added to the gallery.

click above to enlarge

Vandenbrink Design seems to be on a roll recently, announcing production of both the 599 GT0 and 630 GTO, as well as a releasing a rendering that suggests what a Fiorano-based convertible GT could look like. Not having the blessing of Ferrari has yet to deter Michiel B. van den Brink from speaking his mind through his pen, but we doubt this latest piece of auto-art will put him in the good graces of the men from Maranello.

Vandenbrink is looking to the folks at FerrariChat for some inspiration and advice for a 612-based shooting brake (i.e. wagon) that the firm is currently considering. We're smitten with the idea of a Ferrari hatch that's got a bit more functionality to compliment its competent chassis and V12 power plant, but we're not entirely willing to give up the clean lines of the standard coupe. That said, Vandenbrink has done a sublime job of integrating the new back-end into the GT's powerful swage lines, and if anyone could pull it off, Michiel can.

Your thoughts, as always, are graciously accepted below.

[Source: FerrariChat]

Gallery: Vandenbrink 612 Shooting Brake

Vandenbrink dreams up Ferrari 612 shooting brake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bose Media System debuts in Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Ferrari

If you're going to introduce one of the world's most advanced automotive media systems, you might as well showcase it in one of the world's best vehicles. Bose has chosen the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti as its debut model. The new Bose Media System features customized 5.1-channel surround sound, an AM/FM/XM satellite radio tuner that can be accessed by genre, a 200 hours hard-drive, navigation system, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity with access through the system's display and a USB 2.0 input.

Oh, and it has an industry-first multi-format disc player. It can read and play virtually any type of disc you feed into it: CDs, DVD audio discs, DVD video discs, Super Audio CDs, MP3s, AAC and practically every other format available on recordable CDs and DVDs. It even has the Bose uMusic intelligent playback system that uses tags to identify listener "moods" and calls up similar songs from the hard drive. Of course the speakers have been optimized for the 612, as well. The system looks fairly easy to control with two large knobs and an upper and lower bank of preset function buttons. Follow the read link for more details on the system.

[Source: Bose]

Bose Media System debuts in Ferrari 612 Scaglietti originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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