Tuesday 13th September 2005

Scoop: F575 replacement?

PH Eurohooners make good use of their cameras

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PistonHeads's premiere annual driving event, Eurohoon, not only saw a number of PHers enjoying some of continental Europe's best roads last week -- they also spotted this disguised car lurking in the general area of the Ferrari plant in Modena.

Best guesses suggest that this is Ferrari's replacement for the 575, although Ferrari denied it. But then, they would say that wouldn't they?

 

[PetrolTed]

Incidentally the car pictured on track is a different one to that captured on the road.

[wab172uk]

Not much of a scoop. You can't tell how it will look. They've disguised it as a 612 test mule.

[aliged]

Looks a bit tatty......hope they get the panel gaps sorted out.......

[tonyhetherington]

I didn't realise the two cars were different - but now looking at the pictures, you can see it.

Well done bullet of britain - yes it's disguised as a 612 wouldn't be much of a scoop or interesting if everyone knew what the car will look like years before it comes out?

Ever see the scoop of the Enzo about 4 or 5 years ago? A 348/355 hybrid but didn't make it any less interesting to see.

[jeremyc]

tonyhetherington said:

...but didn't make it any less interesting to see.

Or hear thraping around Fiorano.

[PetrolTed]

Better roof line visible on this picture:

[tonyhetherington]

Is it me or does the running gear (ending with the exhaust) look like it's designed for a shorter length car, but they've just extended the tips to get it out the car?

(Ted; you gonna post those 'other' pictures?)

[PhantomPH]

jeremyc said:

tonyhetherington said: ...but didn't make it any less interesting to see. Or hear thraping around Fiorano.

The word 'thraping' means something quite different where I live.

[r988]

tonyhetherington said:

Is it me or does the running gear (ending with the exhaust) look like it's designed for a shorter length car, but they've just extended the tips to get it out the car? (Ted; you gonna post those 'other' pictures?)

I wouldn't be suprised if they have tacked on a extra length of rear end there to hide the true shape, that boot has waay too much overhang and I don't think boot space takes much priority at Ferrari. It also looks horrible with a giant rear end.

[paulie-mafia]

The mule in the pictures is what is currently known as the "F600 Imola" - the replacement for the 575. It's based on a modified 612 chasis and shares a lot of components as well as the same V12 as the Enzo. The reason there are such large overhangs is that the 600 will have a shorter wheelbase (though longer than the 575's) - reflecting the fact that it's a more sporting oriented drive compared to the GT bias of the 612.

[KB_S1]

The bonnet intakes are left and right now, as opposed to central and there is some strange channeling under the headlights. Does this mean a different engine altogether?
could the Enzo engine be adapted for a front layout. It would seem a waste to develop that engine and only use it 800 times.
There is also a much more pronounced underbody venturi.
My dad is going to Italy next week, He will hopefully get some more shots.
Anyone know a good place to spot them?

[r988]

KB_S1 said:

The bonnet intakes are left and right now, as opposed to central and there is some strange channeling under the headlights. Does this mean a different engine altogether? could the Enzo engine be adapted for a front layout. It would seem a waste to develop that engine and only use it 800 times. There is also a much more pronounced underbody venturi. My dad is going to Italy next week, He will hopefully get some more shots. Anyone know a good place to spot them?

i think the ost above confirms that it is the enzo v12.

[paulie-mafia]

yeah a single bonnet scoop is too limiting for the enzo v12 so a separate scoop for each cylinder bank is necesary. not sure to what extent they'll detune the engine, but it needs an incredible amount of air and a lot of cooling in the enzo.

[errek72]

Whatever the specifics, that thing is huuuge.
More 600SL than a nimble 50's type Ferrari with shrinkwrapped bodywork.

Would this be to leave a gap for Alfa / Maserati?
Their new boss mentioned something about new masers being 'in the spirit of the birdcage, old and new version' during an EVO interview.

[PetrolTed]

errek72 said:

Would this be to leave a gap for Alfa / Maserati?

When we were at Maserati last week there was a lightly disguised Brera parked round the back.

[paulie-mafia]

that makes sense - i read somewhere that maser will be using the 159 / brera platform for the next gt and spider.

[Twin Turbo]

The roofline on the last picture looks a little like this:

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/auto-show-photos.asp?imageId=12530&galleryId=18

I really hope it's as radical as this yella one

[smele]

Twin Turbo said:

The roofline on the last picture looks a little like this: http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/auto-show-photos.asp?imageId=12530&galleryId=18 I really hope it's as radical as this yella one

Now that would be impressive. About time Ferrari built something a bit more stylish and not the Japanese style that they seem to have at the moment.

[lordk]

I have to agree with that. I was in Italy last week too and spotted an interesting line up outside a posh hotel in Bellagio: a 60's 365 GT (the 60's GT, rather than the 70's rubber-lipped, pop-up headlamps job), a 550 Maranello and a 612 Scaglietti. The 612 is bloated, squinty-eyed and fat-arsed by the standards of the older 365 GT, which is so much more delicate and airy, and yet still a four-seater.

The 612 looks impressive (in terms of size, rather than detailing or proportions) and I'm sure it's very impressive to drive. But, during the blat across the Alps to Lake Como, you can bet it was the guy in the older car who was having the most fun. You can keep your F1 gear changes and traction control. A big V12, four wheels and a steering wheel, wrapped in some of Pininfarina's finest work is all that you need... So much more class...

It would be so good if Ferrari could return to this sort of style, from which they have regularly strayed since the Testarossa days. They proved it can be done (with the 456 GT) so here's hoping this newbie will put Modena back on course.

All IMHO, of course... I'm trying to figure out how to attach a piccie so you can judge for yourselves.

[Hot racer]

How the hell did Ted manage to sponsor this prototype Fezza with Pistonheads.com splashed all over it? Well done anyhow!