Ferrari’s Magic India Discovery Tour, which began in Mumbai last month, is underway. The last stage will follow the river Ganges up to the North and the frontier with Pakistan and then drive in the direction of India’s capital, New Delhi, and back to Mumbai, after having crossed Rajasthan. The Tour returns to Mumbai on May 7, having covered a route stretching more than 13,000 kilometres and touching 57 cities over 74 days.

The two 612 Scagliettis feature a few minimal modifications to allow them to negotiate the more difficult tracts of the tour. These involve the fitting of an underbody protector made from 4mm duraluminium rather than plastic and a slightly higher suspension setting to deal with the tougher road surfaces. Otherwise, they are entirely straightforward production cars powered by a 540bhp 65deg V12 engine that delivers maximum torque of 60kgm at 5250 rpm. Both cars are fitted with a six-speed F1 gearbox and Transaxle transmission.

The Magic India Discovery enjoys support from Shell, the Tata Group, Tata Motors, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Fiat India Automobiles, Tata Consultancy Services, Alcoa, Saima Avandero, Pirelli and OMR. Assistance and spare parts are provided by eight support vehicles: five Tata cars, two Fiats and one specially fitted-out Iveco truck. In addition to the journalists driving the two 612 Scagliettis, photographers and video camera operators, the tour is accompanied by a technical assistance and logistics team for its entire duration.

Source: Hindu