Ferrari 'Magic India Discovery' Expedition Starts

Ferrari India Expedition Starts

Ferrari has started its grand tour of India with Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, and John Elkann, Vice Chairman of the Fiat Group flagging off the two Ferrari 612 Scagliettis in Mumbai at the start of a 13,000 tour of the world's most populous democratic country.

The tour returns to Mumbai on May 7th, with the official closing ceremony on May 8th, having covered a route stretching more than 13,000 kilometres and touching 57 cities over 74 days. The car featured in this tour is the 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari's flagship GT model. The tour comes in the wake of the China 15,000 Red Miles tour completed in 2005 and the Panamerican 20,000 tour of 2006, both of which were hugely successful.

The two 612 Scagliettis (one "Rosso Mugello", the other "Ivory", both sporting a specially designed livery) will feature a few absolutely minimal modifications to allow them to negotiate the more difficult tracts of the tour.

The modifications involve the fitting of an underbody protector made from 4 mm duraluminium rather than plastic and a slightly higher suspension setting to deal with the tougher road surfaces. Otherwise, however, they will be entirely straightforward production cars powered by a 540 hp 65° V12 engine that delivers maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5250 rpm. Both cars will be fitted with a six-speed F1 gearbox and Transaxle transmission.

The 612 Scaglietti continues Ferrari's long tradition of excellence in the 2+2 segment. This elegant car offers the perfect combination of thoroughbred Ferrari berlinetta performance and exceptional comfort for four occupants. The 612 Scaglietti was the very first all-aluminium 12-cylinder to be built by Ferrari.

The use of aluminium for the chassis and bodywork combined with sophisticated production and assembly technologies have cut overall body weight by a massive 40% and greatly improved torsional rigidity. The 612 Scaglietti's near-perfect weight distribution (46% front and 54% rear) means that it offers the blistering performance of a rear-engined car yet the comfort and roominess of a front-engined model. Its 65° V12 engine represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's engine technology too and punches out 540 hp at 7250 rpm. Although clothed by Pininfarina, the 612 is named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, the Modenese coachbuilder who, in the early years of Enzo Ferrari's extraordinary adventure, bodied some of the most beautiful cars ever to emerge from Maranello.

SEE EARLIER REPORT: Two Ferrari 612 Scagliettis To Explore India

ENDS

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