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The main external visual differences were the nose and tail treatment, the louvre design on the engine lid and the design of the road wheels. There was also a barely noticeable different profile to the sail panel
buttresses, which were plain and flowed directly into the roof panel on the 512 TR, instead of featuring the step and black perforated exhaust air grilles of the Testarossa. Internally there were changes to the seats, steering
wheel design and trim details. Mechanically there were numerous changes to the engine and gearbox, which boosted power, and provided a more satisfying and positive to use gearbox. Not visually apparent was that the engine and
transmission assembly location in the chassis had been dropped by 30mm, to lower the centre of gravity, and thus improve the already high standard of roadholding.
As with the Testarossa, the bodies were mounted on a
2550mm wheelbase chassis, which carried factory type reference F 110 HB, and was of virtually identical construction to that of the preceding model. All chassis numbers were in the continuous number sequence, with various world
market models produced in either left or right hand drive form. The new nose treatment bore a family resemblance to that of the 348 model introduced in 1989, in the shape of the dummy grille bearing a chrome plated
"Cavallino Rampante" bounded by the combined side, turn indicator, driving light units. At the rear the valance was redesigned, providing more sculpted curves, with a change of shape for the registration plate recess.
The Testarossa engine lid had featured a body colour raised central panel with satin black louvres to the rear and sides. With the advent of the 512 TR, the raised section and the louvres with a new profile either side of it
were painted satin black, whilst the rear portion of louvres were finished in the body colour. A 512 TR badge graced the rear lip of the engine cover, with a Ferrari script badge on its upper rear face, whilst a Testarossa
script badge adorned the upper face of the satin black central section. The new alloy road wheels were a very elegant interpretation of the traditional Ferrari five spoke "star" design, featuring slim curved spokes.
The front ones were 8J x 18" diameter and the rear ones 10.5J x 18" diameter, which increased the front track slightly, and reduced the rear track by a small amount. The wheels covered larger ventilated and cross
drilled brake discs actuated by four piston callipers, with separate front and rear hydraulic circuits, and servo assistance. The independent suspension and steering system layouts were essentially similar in concept to those
of the Testarossa, but with a range of changes and adjustments to suit the larger diameter road wheels, and to provide a more refined ride.
The four valves per cylinder, flat twelve, dry sump engine was an upgraded
version of that used in the Testarossa, maintaining the same cubic capacity of 4943cc, with an 82mm x 78mm bore and stroke, and had factory type reference number 113 G. Changes were effected to the porting, with redesigned
inlet plenums and larger valves providing more efficient fuel/air mix ingress, whilst the fuel injection and ignition system changed to a superior combined Bosch Motronic M2.7 system. New pistons were also provided that
increased the compression ratio from 9.3:1 to 10:1, along with re-profiled camshafts, the net result of these changes was a jump in the claimed power output of 38bhp to 428bhp @ 6750rpm for European models and 421bhp at the
same engine speed for US models. The increased power provided improved acceleration, although the top speed was still in line with that of its predecessor. The model was produced between 1991 and 1994, when the F512M model
replaced it, during which time 2261 examples were produced in the chassis number range 89100 to 99743.
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