New Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

A new prancing horse has just bolted into view. Our spy photographers caught the first development prototype for the new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – and it’s going to be bigger, more powerful, yet more economical than ever.

Take a close look at this test mule’s profile and you’ll see a few extra inches have been added to the front wings. This indicates a longer wheelbase and more space inside for the four occupants.

Under that huge bonnet bulge lies a new 6.0-litre version of the current car’s 5.7-litre V12, updated with direct injection to boost power from 540bhp to 600bhp. Performance will be blistering, with the 0-60mph sprint taking less than four seconds and a top speed of 200mph.

The car will feature a development of the seven-speed double-clutch gearbox first seen on the California – with which the newcomer shares its stacked exhaust pipes. The set-up will work in tandem with the direct-injectction technology to slash CO2 emissions and increase fuel returns.

To answer criticism of the current car’s looks, designers are working on a sleeker, less controversial body to clothe this technology. The new Ferrari is due on sale in 2011, priced at around £225,000.