All-New Ferrari 12Cilindri Takes Over From 812, Retains Glorious V12
Ferrari bids farewell to the 812 with the introduction of the new 12Cilindri, an oddly named two-seater that we should appreciate for retaining the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12. It will be available in both berlinetta (coupe) and Spider (cabriolet) body styles.
Obviously, we need to talk about the engine first, once again in a mid-front layout. Similar to the short-lived 812 Competizione, output is rated at 819 horsepower, which you can access at 9,250 rpm. Peak torque is a “modest” 500 lb-ft at 7,250 rpm, although 80 percent is available from just 2,500 rpm thanks to a new technology called Aspirated Torque Shaping.
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The glorious V12 benefits from massive carbon fibre air intakes on the hood and a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission shared with Ferrari’s latest models. It shoots the 12Cilindri from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds—one tenth quicker than the 812 Competizione despite carrying an extra 73 kg (161 lbs)—and from 0-200 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The coupe weighs 1,560 kg (3,439 lbs), distributed almost evenly between the front and rear (48.4/51.6).
To be clear, the 12Cilindri doesn’t use any form of electrification, instead paying tribute to Ferrari GT cars from the 1950s and 1960s.
Now, when it comes to the chassis, torsional stiffness is increased by 15 percent. There may not be Multimatic adaptive dampers like on the Purosangue crossover or active anti-roll bars to improve handling, but standard rear-wheel steering ensures superior agility.
The electronically controlled ABS Evo braking system has been upgraded. Featuring 398mm (15.7-inch) front and 360mm (14.2-inch) rear brake discs, the 12Cilindri comes to a full stop from a speed of 100 km/h over a distance of 31.4 metres only. The wheels have grown to 21 inches and are wrapped in custom Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear F1 Eagle SuperSport tires.
The car’s exterior design includes a new active aero setup that minimizes drag, and yet rear downforce amounts to a solid 50 kg (110 lbs) at 250 km/h despite the lack of a spoiler. The unique body section connecting the muscular rear fenders and acting like a bridge between the glass roof and rear window is a major highlight.
The Spider variant’s top opens or closes in 14 seconds, by the way. And have you seen that monumental rear bumper in a contrasting finish? Another pretty bold move by Ferrari, that’s for sure.
Inside, the dual-cockpit layout is kind of similar to that of the Purosangue. Apparently, headroom and legroom are unchanged from the 812. The driver and passenger each have their own display, with a low-mounted 10.3-inch touchscreen in the middle.
Pricing for the Ferrari 12Cilindri in Europe is the equivalent of $570,000 CAD for the coupe and $636,000 CAD for the cabriolet, which would make it far more expensive than the outgoing 812. Details for Canada will be announced later. Don’t expect the first units to arrive before 2025.