Form shaped by the semi-automatic gearbox
The 641 developed John Barnard's 1989 architecture with a seven-speed electro-hydraulic transmission operated by steering-wheel paddles. Its compact packaging allowed a narrow, clean rear body and sculpted sidepods, while the naturally aspirated V12 supplied progressive power. Steve Nichols and Enrique Scalabroni refined the car into the 641/2 specification.