Scaglietti Restyle For 360

The controversy over the design of the 612 Scaglietti is still rumbling on, but Ferrari fans had better get used to it - because Auto Express magazine can reveal the bold styling is set to spread.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Chris Thorp

27th May 2004

The mag's exclusive spy shots give the clearest glimpse yet of the replacement for the 360 Modena. And under the plastic disguise are striking headlamps and a daring new look similar to that of its big brother, the 612. Seen in the mag outside the Maranello factory in Italy, the newcomer has kept the overall shape of its predecessor, but is likely to have more dramatic detailing.

As well as the new headlights, the front will be dominated by reshaped air intakes and a more pointed nose. The rear disguise didn't fool our spies, either, as insiders have told us it will get a more muscular shape than that of the 360. Styling house Pininfarina has kept the trademark round rear lamps, while the bulge between them is thought to hide a spoiler which only pops up at speed. A similar hump was seen on the original Enzo prototype.

Under the glass engine cover is a mighty 4.2-litre V8 powerplant, which will deliver 450bhp and give the Ferrari the performance it needs to take on Lamborghini's V10 Gallardo. While the logical name for the 360M's replacement is the 420M (after the engine size), there's some confusion as Ferrari has recently trademarked 430M.

Whatever it's called, the coup΃© version of the new Ferrari is expected to debut early in 2005, with first deliveries next summer. A year later, the convertible Spider will go on sale, and it's tipped to feature a retractable metal hard-top - a first for Ferrari.