Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Successor

The successor to Ferrari's current 612 grand touring 2+2 has recently been spotted in test mule form, although it seems to beg as many questions as it answers. Wearing modified 612 sheetmetal, there are a few observable changes between this prototype and the current 612. The hood is longer and sports a visible bulge, presumably for engine clearance. A new exhaust tip configuration is also clearly seen, with twin stacked tips at either side of the rear valance -- a design cue likely inspired by the new California model.

The Ferrari 612 successor will undoubtedly retain the current model's 2+2 seating and V-12 engine configuration. Still, the powerplant is likely to be heavily reworked versus the current engine and in keeping with Ferrari's current range-wide goals of creating more power while increasing efficiency at the same time. Could hybrid technology finally make a Ferrari debut on the 612 successor? Ferrari is currently working the kinks out of its KERS hybrid Formula 1 car system this racing season and has made no bones about the possibility of hybrid integration on future production models. The new car could also potentially use Ferrari's "Insertable 4x4" system that is being developed for use in both front- and mid-engined cars.

With an emphasis on high-speed, comfortable touring rather than ultimate lap times, the successor to the Ferrari 612 could make for an interesting demo run of Ferrari's latest alternative technologies that could later trickle down into the extreme-performance models. Look for a debut sometime in 2011.