Design, development and
the presentation
The next generation
In 1987, three years after the introduction of the Testarossa, Ferrari started
to develop its successor, which would become known as the 512 TR. Many persons
think that the 512 TR is almost equal to the Testarossa, but there are
hundreds of changes, not only from the outside, but mainly from the inside.
The engine (type F113D040 with Bosch Motronic 2.7) was completely new, just
like 80% of all other mechanical parts. From the outside, the main difference
with the Testarossa were: 18 inch wheels with a new design; the disappearance
of the black stripe at the lower part of the side; a new front bumper like the
348 series; new engine hood, modified fins; new rear lights and finally a
completely new interior. A very complete description of all (technical)
changes can be found in the magazine Progetti #10.
Design
One of the early designs of the 512 TR
© GB Progetti #10
The most important persons behind
the development of the new Testarossa were:
-
Lorenzo Ramaciotti - Head of
the Design Team (he succeeded Leonardo Fioravanti in 1988)
-
Walter Vignale - Technical
Manager
-
Roberto Corradi - Project
Manager
-
Amedeo Felisa - Chief
Development
-
Maurizio Manfredini - Chief of
the Experimental Department
-
Paolo Martinelli - Chief
Engine Development
Prototypes and
pre-production cars
The first modified 1:1 models were
tested in the windtunnel of Pininfarina in early 1988. The development of the
engines started in early 1989. They tested 24 engines in 22 prototypes (18 US versions and 4 Euro versions).
These prototypes were modified Testarossas and were called F110 EB. Most important aspects of the testing
were dependability and certification. The majority of the tests were performed
between February 1990 and July 1991, at places the tracks of Balocco, Fiorano,
Mugello and Nardo, but also on the normal road and in northern Sweden (ABS
tests).
The
prototypes probably didn't have any serialnumbers, but just a two-digit
internal number. Pre-production started in January 1991 and most of those cars
were meant for the USA. Among the prototypes / pre-productions cars are s/n 86815
and s/n 87440. Both cars still exist and are currently located in the USA.
Presentation
During the development of the 512 TR, the car was shown to a small
group of Ferrari and Fiat top brass at Pininfarina's Cambiano centre in early
1991. The finished car was first presented to a limited group of journalists
on November 13th 1991 in Maranello. In the same month, the car was also shown
to a small number of Ferrari dealers and owners in Monaco, at the "Salle L'Empereur" of the Hôtel de Paris.
The official presentation was on January 2nd 1992 at the Los Angeles Salon, USA. The European
introduction was on January 14th 1992 at the Brussel Motorshow, Belgium.
Los Angeles Salon 1992
