Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (2004 - To Date)

Models Covered: (2 dr coupe 5.7 litre petrol[GTC Handling Pack])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Four-seater Ferraris have often been an acquired taste and the 612 Sacglietti is no exception. Its challenging styling, high price from new and the fact that its overshadowed by smaller models means that its undervalued used. A brilliant GT car, the Scaglietti is starting to make sense pricewise as a used proposition.

Although striking, it lacks the feline elegance of the 456 it replaces. The front overhangs are minimal and the need to house the huge 5.7-litre V12 engine means that the cabin is set well back. If youre at all sensitive to what some people reckon of those who drive cars with long bonnets, the Scaglietti may not appeal.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

The most distinctive aspect to the design is the scalloped flanks which are reminiscent of early Corvettes. This feature gave rise to the car being referred to as Ingrid at Pininfarina because this feature was shared with the one-off 1954 Ferrari 375MM Berlinetta Aerodinamica Sergio Scaglietti, commissioned by legendary Italian film director Roberto Rossellini as a surprise present for his missus, one Ingrid Bergman. Otherwise much of the exterior design is unmistakably contemporary Ferrari, including the metallic grille at the front and a rear end that many will struggle to distinguish from the 575 Maranello two-seater. Of course, the major difference between the cars is the fact that the 612 Scaglietti will seat four.

The rear seats are a good deal more spacious than the rather token affairs in the 456 although theyre still not a place youd opt to spend any great time. The boot is also bigger a good 25 per cent up on the 456 and well up to the task of swallowing a couple of golf bags. Access to the rear is helped by the fact that the front seat belts are built into the seats themselves and fold forward, but youll still need to make a rather committed move for the deeply scooped back seats. These seats are divided by a centre console with a rather weedy looking storage space that would appear to be capable of launching pound coins with extreme prejudice at the windscreen during fierce braking manoeuvres.

The cabin is beautifully finished in a way that makes most rivals look very mass market. The dashboard is a little different to the standard Ferrari approach, with an LCD instrument display occupying the left hand side of the instrument binnacle next to the rev counter. This is marshalled by the controls on a multi function steering wheel, giving the 612s dash a more high-tech look than the usual retro black and chrome look of many recent Ferraris. The wheel itself looks like the racy item used by the Ferrari Enzo hypercar and within the boss reside buttons that control the stability control system, damper settings and gearshift.

Big four-seater Ferraris have always struggled with residual values and although the 612 Scaglietti is better in this regard than some of its predecessors, its still possible to pick up some early cars at surprisingly reasonable prices. The published figures show a 48% retained value after three years, which would suggest that the 612 cant compare with the residuals of cars like the Bentley Continental GT, the Porsche 911 Turbo or the Mercedes CL65 AMG and that youll find 2004 cars retailing at around £84,000. In the real world, youll actually be lucky to find one changing hands for anything less than £125,000. Some owners will have had the GTC Handling pack fitted and this will boost used valuations by around £7,000.

Insurance? Group 20, naturally.

The 612 is almost truck-like in feel, despite the big V12 being not far off the magical 100bhp/litre specific output thats the holy grail for normally aspirated engines. Many customers dont extend the engine hard, preferring to burble around on the generous torque and plenty of 612s cover extremely modest mileages. Look for bodywork damage, as this represents serious outlay to have made good. Satellite navigation was an option on early Scagliettis and the system is not the most user friendly.

Check for uneven tyre wear, evidence of accident damage, wear to interiors not corresponding with the cars documented mileage and insist on a full service record.

(approx based on a 2005 612 Scaglietti) The Scaglietti falls into that category whereby if youre worried about parts prices, you should probably be shopping elsewhere. Just the replacement cost of the Michelin OE-fit tyres are enough to have most people blanching.

The aluminium body of the 612 ensures that it tips the scales some 60kg lighter than the old 456GTA and Ferrari also claim an increase in torsional rigidity of some 60 per cent. Ally this to a lower centre of gravity and, for the first time in a Ferrari, a CST electronic stability control system and you have a recipe for a very neat handler. Factor in sophisticated underbody aerodynamics that include a rear diffuser and this Ferrari remains resolutely glued to the tarmac. Any car with 540bhp under the bonnet and 1835kg to haul up the road is going to be extremely rapid and the 612 Scaglietti doesnt disappoint.

Itll hammer to 60mph in 4.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 196mph where conditions allow, making it marginally quicker than its Bentley and Mercedes rivals. If you want more focused handling, theres the GTC-H model that retailed at around £17,000 more that added bigger brakes, new alloys, grippier tyres, snappier gearchanges and a revised suspension set-up.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is an interesting car with few direct rivals. The upper specification Mercedes CL models and the Aston Martin Vanquish are the closest in execution and target used buyers will also countenance Porsche 911 Turbos, BMW M6s and Bentley Continental GTs. Used examples tend to be well looked after with low mileages but do not buy the cheapest car you see as you will need plenty of margin for servicing and upkeep.