La Classic Ferrari for sale roars back, unveiling its new supercar, the Ferrari 12Cilindri. And she does it by winking at the past. In an era dominated by high-performance electric motors and synthetic sound, Ferrari makes a bold return to the past with a powerful V12 engine naturally aspirated positioned at the centre-front, the same one fitted as the first one from Maranello in 1947. The new two-seater berlinetta from Cavallino therefore confirms the company's commitment to keeping the tradition of the internal combustion engine alive while also exploring electric solutions.
La Ferrari 12Cilindri it will be the heir to the Ferrari 812 Superfast. The new supercar embodies the brand's DNA, blending exciting driving experiences with a sophisticated and modern design. Inspired by the legendary Ferrari Gran Turismos of the '50s and '60s, the 12Cilindri is intended for lovers of the front V12 engine, delivering a power of 830 hp at 9.250 rpm, which does 0-100 in 2,9 seconds up to a top speed of over 340 per hour. And for those who want to feel the thrill of the wind there is also the Spider version.
The presentation took place during an exclusive event in Miami Beach where F1 will race this weekend and in which Scuderia Ferrari will show off the blue colors in homage to its new main sponsor HP.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri will be available at price of 395.000 euros, while the spider version will cost 435.000 euros. The deliveries will begin during the last quarter of 2024.
Ferrari 12Cilindri: design and chassis
The Ferrari 12Cilindri is inspired by Ferrari's iconic Gran Turismos of the 50s and 60s, embodying the mission of the front-engined, two-seater V12 with elegance, versatility and performance. The new Ferrari is the result of the work of the team led by the chief designer Flavio manzoni. Its breathtaking design features details inspired by the legendary Daytona 365 GTB 4 from 1968, such as the long front bonnet and a double parallel rib along the side. The muscular rear is characterized by a "black screen" integrated into the delta theme with the roof, while two movable wings are inserted into the rear window. These choices not only give a clean and elegant style, but also aerodynamic functionality.
The 12Cilindri redefines the stylistic codes of the previous V12s Mid-front engined Ferrari, with essential lines that emphasize interconnected volumes. The clean side develops from a dihedral section, while the fenders are treated with geometric precision. The front hood has a smooth surface without obvious cuts, interrupted only by the air intakes for engine cooling. The front and rear, while maintaining a sensual appearance, show modern and sophisticated geometries. The cabin is treated in a new way, with a surface frame line that integrates organically with the rest of the car.
The transom design is completed with a clean, monolithic volume, while the lower level features raised diffuser keels and a dual pair of exhaust tips. The exhausts have a new shape, framed by a metal casing to reduce overall dimensions and give a more compact appearance.
Il frame of the Ferrari 12Cilindri is completely new, with a wheelbase 20 mm shorter than the 812 Superfast. Particular attention was paid to geometry of cast components, such as shock towers and struts, to improve torsional stiffness and reduce overall weight.
The aluminum structure of the Ferrari 12Cilindri offers excellent performance in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), as well as guaranteeing high safety standards. The cleaning of the load lines has made it possible to improve torsional rigidity compared to previous Ferrari twelve-cylinder cars, with a 15% increase that benefits the suspension and guarantees more predictable dynamic behavior. Additionally, the use of larger castings has reduced the number of extruded components to be assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Another innovation is the use, for the first time on a Ferrari road car, of a secondary alloy completely obtained from recycled material for the shock absorber towers of the gearbox sub-frame. This allowed a saving of 146 kg of CO2 for each frame produced. Despite being recycled, this alloy has similar mechanical characteristics to the non-recycled alloy, thanks to an accurate characterization phase and in-depth tests to evaluate the static, dynamic, fatigue and crash behavior of the components.
Ferrari 12Cilindi: the engine
The real protagonist of the new model is his thruster. The 12 horsepower V830 engine of the Ferrari 12Cilindri reaches 9.500 rpm and 80% of the torque is available already at 2.500 rpm. This translates into impressive acceleration, from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,9 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in less than 7,9 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 340 km/h.
Il F140HD engine mounted on the Ferrari 12Cilindri is a new version of the famous naturally aspirated V12 of Maranello, characterized by a 65° angle between the cylinder banks and a displacement of 6.496 cc, representing the purest expression of the Ferrari soul. Thanks to unrivaled performance, unique sound frequencies and exclusivity, this engine stands out as a worthy heir to the legendary Berlinettas that marked the company's history.
The engine has undergone evolutions partially adopted also on the 812 Competizione special series, making it one of the best in terms of performance. To reach the high rotation speeds, it was necessary reduce weight and inertia of the components, using materials such as titanium for the connecting rods and aluminum alloys for the pistons. The valve opening and closing system has also been optimized with an approach derived from Ferrari's experience in Formula 1, ensuring better mechanical efficiency.
Particular attention was also given totorque optimization in all engine operating speeds, with a variable geometry trumpet system that maximizes cylinder filling. Furthermore, for the first time on a naturally aspirated engine, a software strategy which regulates the maximum torque based on the gear engaged, guaranteeing linear and progressive thrust.
The exhaust system was developed to comply with regulations on emissions latest, introducing advanced technologies such as a ceramic catalyst and a particulate filter. The engine sound has also been optimised, balancing the comfort, luxury and driving emotions typical of a Ferrari V12.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri features a dual clutch gearbox (DCT) with eight gears, which provides better performance than previous V12 applications. This gearbox, combined with larger 21-inch tyres, offers shorter ratios in low gears and increased torque at the wheels, improving longitudinal acceleration and reducing shift times.
Ferrari 12Cilindi: the interiors
Glthe interiors of the Ferrari 12Cilindri offer high comfort for long journeys, with a feeling of spaciousness accentuated by the glass roof, high quality materials and a central display that joins that of the dashboard, with a third screen in the passenger area. The division of the interior into three levels defines the design, while the choice of materials, included recyclable materials like 65% Alcantara, it determines the elegant or sporty appearance. The cockpit layout, inspired by dual cockpit architecture, offers comfort and involvement to both driver and passenger.
Il central display 10,25-inch display, along with the 15,6-inch display in the dashboard and the 8,8 inch for the passenger, offers an advanced human-machine interface experience. The capacitive steering wheel and intuitive controls enhance the driving experience. Infotainment supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while an optional Burmester audio system delivers powerful, immersive sound.
La dashboard of the Ferrari 12Cilindri is characterized by a clear division between the upper part, which houses the two separate dashboards for the driver and the passenger, and the lower part dedicated to the technical functions. This separation accentuates the sensation of lightness of the dashboard, with an elegant chromatic and material contrast that emphasizes the two almost suspended volumes. The panels extend harmoniously from the dashboard, with particular attention to detail and quality materials. The introduction of a broad tinted glass roof improves brightness and space in the cabin, contributing to a more comfortable and luxurious driving experience.
Ferrari 12Cilindri: aerodynamics and cooling
In the aerodynamic project of the Ferrari 12Cilindri, the main objective was to create an elegant and sporty car without compromising performance. Characterized by a sober design, one of the distinctive features is the 25mm nolder on the rear bonnet, which ensures constant aerodynamic efficiency. The mobile appendages they allow the car to take on two variable load configurations, Low Drag (LD) and High Downforce (HD) respectively, while the aerodynamic floor optimizes the exit of hot air from the front radiators.
Il aerodynamic system It is designed to maximize efficient vertical load generation, using low-pressure zones behind the front tires to create openings that reduce drag and increase vertical load. The Ferrari 12Cilindri is able to adapt its aerodynamics based on speed and driving conditions, maintaining an optimal balance between vertical load and resistance.
Il cooling circuit it has been redesigned to meet the needs of the engine and auxiliary components. The revision involved the optimization of the seven evacuations present on the front bottom. The space between the longitudinal elements of the chassis was allocated to the engine water radiator and the air conditioning circuit condenser, while the oil radiator was divided into two elements positioned in front of the front wheels. The side sockets they have been divided for cooling the engine oil radiator (external part) and the braking system (internal part). The air in the engine compartment is evacuated through two openings on the bonnet, reducing overpressures and improving cooling effectiveness.
Ferrari 12Cilindri: a cutting-edge supercar
The Ferrari 12Cilindri also places itself at thecutting edge in front-engined sedans thanks to its advanced dynamic controllers. The brake-by-wire system allows the adoption of the most recent innovations, such as ABS Evo and the 6w-CDS sensor, guaranteeing greater precision and reduced stopping distances. Aspirated Torque Shaping maximizes the linearity of the naturally aspirated V12's delivery, while SSC 8.0 (Side Slip Control), a new evolution of the famous Ferrari controller, optimizes the overall performance of the car, creating a synergy with the new Evo ABS.
The SSC 8.0 it has been optimized to increase estimation accuracy and learning speed, offering better control on surfaces with very low grip and improving the management of yaw when cornering and reactivity when changing direction. The independent four-wheel steering system (4WS), introduced on the 812 Competizione special series, further improves corner management and prompt response, guaranteeing excellent driveability, also thanks to the ideal weight distribution and shorter wheelbase compared to the 812 Superfast.
Ferrari 12Cilindri: the price
Il base price of the Ferrari 12Cilindri is 395.000 euros for the closed version and 435.000 euros for the spider model. With customizations the cost can therefore easily exceed 500.000 euros. Despite its elitist character (the slogan of the presentation is For the Few, “for a few”) the car already seems to be a success, with over a thousand expressions of interest approaching 500 million euros.
Anyone who wants will be able to purchase both versions, but buyers will have to choose which one to receive first so as not to exclude other customers on the waiting list.
