Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Body , Engine & Transmission

Relative to the 456M GT, a fully dressed 612 weighs about 130 pounds less, its center of gravity is almost an inch closer to the ground, and it splits its weight 46/54 percent front/rear versus the 456M's 57/43. Its structure is also 54 percent stiffer in torsion. Three cheers for the switch to aluminum.

A lightened body alone does not a blistering Ferrari make. So under that long aluminum hood lies what may be the ultimate development of the 5748cc Type 133F 65-degree V-12 (we expect future Ferraris to employ versions of the Enzo's F140 V-12). A new Bosch ME7 controller employing four knock sensors allowed the compression ratio to be tweaked up to 11.2:1, while a lower-restriction intake and larger exhaust mufflers improve airflow through the engine, boosting output to 533 horsepower and 434 pounds-feet of torque. The similar engine in the 575M Maranello makes 508 and 434, while the 456M's 5.5-liter made 436 and 406 respectively.

Transmission performance is also enhanced, with an additional synchronizing cone on each gear, for quicker, smoother shifts. The latest F1A robot can execute shifts in just 0.2 second, smoothly, and with none of the clicking and clacking one hears in a 360 Modena F1. With the F1A tranny, Ferrari pegs performance at 4.2 seconds to 62 mph, en route to a 199-mph top speed (one in 10 612s will come with a row-your-own six-speed).

We have no reason to doubt Ferrari's dragstrip results, but neither did we have an opportunity to corroborate them, thanks to a freakish late-February snowstorm in north-central Italy. We were given the opportunity to pedal our 612 around a damp Fiorano circuit, however, and, even under compromised conditions, we were impressed by how eagerly the car can redirect its considerable momentum.

Left, right, faster, slower--the 612's dynamics belie its two-tons-plus curb weight. The robust aluminum structure's utter lack of vibration, rattles, or squeaks contributes to this impression, as does the absolutely linear steering--each revolution of the wheel moves the rack exactly 64 mm. No surprises. Under ideal conditions, the 612 is six seconds quicker than the 456M GT around Fiorano, says Ferrari's ace test driver, Dario Benuzzi.