The new 12Cilindri might be the bravest Ferrari yet.
Created in a climate of uncertainty, the successor to the Ferrari 812 Superfast almost didn’t
happen.
Back in 2020 when work began on the 12Cilindri a dark cloud hung over the future of large combustion engines and, to put in bluntly, it didn’t look great for the V12.
More and more European cities were threatening combustion car bans, plus higher taxation
for big polluters, while proposed EU emission regulations were so strict that a large naturally-
aspirated V12 wouldn’t have a hope in hell of passing them.
The logical decision would have been downsize to a hybrid V6 for its flagship GT – just like the one that drives the small Ferrari 296 GTB or, better still, go full EV.
Luckily logic rarely dictates anything Ferrari does and with a typical Italian shrug, it went ahead and created the car it wanted to make, regardless of whether it could sell it, or not.
What’s not up for debate is the fact that the two-seat front engined coupe and Spider looks sensational.
Drawing influence from the brand’s most famous V12 back catalogue, it has frontal styling lifted from the 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
There’s also a glorious 1970s feel to the design, with the glass canopy and delta wing-
shaped rear glass and nods to the wonderful Pininfarina-penned Ferrari Modulo concept of
the same period.
The 12Cilindri proudly keeps its classic long-bonnet, rear-drive GT proportions.
Beneath the skin the 12Cilindri unlikely ever to be sued for false advertising as taking pride
of place is a front-mounted 6.5-litre V12 engine that dates back to the 2002 Enzo hypercar.
Unusually, for a car launched in 2024, the big V12 does without any electrification.
Instead engineers added new lighter internals, direct injection and lower-friction parts to enable it to spin-faster and produce more power.
The result is a car that can spin up to 9500rpm while producing a muscular 611kW and
678Nm of torque.
Combined with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts 30 per cent quicker
than before, the 12Cilindri takes 2.9sec to hit 100 from standstill and 7.8 to hit 200km/h. The top speed is more than 340km/h.
Developed to be Ferrari’s “most fun car” the 12Cilindri is based on an all-new aluminium chassis that is 15 per cent stiffer than the old 812 and also packs a 20mm shorter wheelbase, while rear-wheel steer becomes standard for faster direction changes.
Despite the aluminium used, Ferrari claims the kerbweight has actually increased by 30kg to
about 1660kg, which is still relatively lithe for a V12-powered two-door.
To keep it stable at speed, engineers have incorporated clever active aerodynamics that include a pair of rear aero blades that pop and pivot up to 10-degrees from 60-300km/h. Above that, the spoilers drop back down to reduce drag, maximising top speed.
New chassis tech consists of brake-by-wire tech, plus the carmaker’s eighth version of its
sideslip control for more measured sideways action.
Within, the V12 Ferrari stays true to its GT roots but remains strictly a two-seater. There’s
also a fresh double cockpit design.
Ahead of the driver is a familiar huge 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster, while beside it is
as 10.25-inch infotainment system. As with other Ferrari models a third 8.8-inch display in front of the passenger is also available.
For those who think they’ll tire of the sound of the sonorous V12 soundtrack a 15-speaker
1600-watt sound system will also be available, plus endless ways to customise and
personalise the 12Cilindri.
Expected to arrive in Europe before the end of 2024, the Ferrari 12Cilindri should land in
Australia in early 2025.
It won’t be cheap but when you consider the looks, performance and the way it is expected to drive, we think Ferrari’s V12 gamble will pay off handsomely.