Currently reading: Ferrari testing 575 successor

This may look like a matt black 612 Scaglietti, but it’s actually an early prototype of Ferrari’s replacement for the 575M. The reason for the disguise is that the new 575 – rumoured to be called 600 – is based on the Scaglietti’s aluminium chassis.Look closely at the prototype and the picture of the red production 612 (right) and it’s clear that this mule is considerably shorter. An Autocar source recently saw the car close up and said that the wheelbase was as much as six inches shorter than the 612’s.

Much of this has been chopped out of the central section – the prototype’s door is considerably shorter than the 612’s. The rear overhang has also been reduced. Even so, the new car is said to offer more interior space the current 575M. The rumoured 600 moniker is said to refer to the size of the new car’s V12 engine, which at 6.0 litres is bigger than the Scaglietti’s 5.8-litre unit. Performance should be further accentuated by the weight advantage over the 612.

There’s still no news on the looks. However Ferrari is unlikely to repeat the approach of the 612, especially now Mini designer Frank Stephenson oversees Ferrari-Maserati design. Expect the new car in 2006.

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