Dining on 900 miles of India in a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
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Just last year, Ferrari celebrated its 60th anniversary, a commemoration that included some of the world's most seductive and imposing road and racecars. From such production models as the 375 MM, 365 GTB4, Testarossa, and 599 GTB Fiorano to such race venues and series as Le Mans, Daytona, IMSA, and Formula 1, Ferrari has had a memorable and triumphant six decades. Suffice it to say, it is an automaker rich in tradition.
It should come as no surprise, then, that, following its China 15,000 Red Miles tour in 2005 and Panamerican 20,000km slog in 2006 -- a trek that stretched from Brazil to New York -- Ferrari would keep alive its tradition of expeditions. The P.R. journey for 2008? None other than South Asia, namely the Magic India Discovery Tour, an 8200-mile journey that starts in Mumbai on February 25 and, after 12 stages, 50 journalists, and 74 days circumnavigating nearly the entire country, will return to Mumbai.
We're invited along for stage five, a leg that spans the states of Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh, covering 900-plus miles of southern India. Our journey begins in the coastal city of Chennai, India's fourth largest metropolis and one that nestles against the Bay of Bengal, about 200 miles due north of Sri Lanka. After departing Chennai, we'll head inland to the hustle and bustle of the IT mecca of Bengaluru and then north to the city of Hyderabad before making our way back to the eastern seaboard, to the coastal town of Vishakhapatnam.
And the transporter? A 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari's most luxurious Gran Turismo. Freshened for 2008 with a panoramic electrochromic glass roof, an F1 SuperFast gearbox, and a revised steering wheel adorned with an engine start button and a three-position manettino switch -- the latter to adjust the transmission and stability-control system -- the 612 received minor but vital alterations for duty in India. The modifications include a slightly raised suspension -- about 0.6 inch -- to withstand the rough and bumpy roads; a 4mm-thick aluminum underbody protector to guard the mechanicals; and a fine-mesh grille to shield the radiator from debris. Other than that, the two 612s relegated for the undertaking came as stock as those in Beverly Hills and Miami showrooms.
So if you're ready to explore the magic of India behind the wheel of a Ferrari, please join us for this unforgettable ride. And don't forget to check back for updates, replete with photo and video highlights.
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