Ferrari F12berlinetta: For the enthusiast who doesn’t get out of bed for less than 544 kW.
Viglietti Motors, the official Ferrari importer in South Africa, has revealed the new F12berlinetta at an event at the Lipizzaner Centre in Kyalami, Johannesburg. Get it, horses and lots of horsepower, although I’m sure the press that attended would’ve much rather enjoyed a trundle around Kyalami just a few minutes down the road.
The brand new F12 model ushers in the new generation of V12 prancing horses and replaces the outgoing Ferrari 599 front-engined supercar. The debut of the F12berlinetta completes Ferrari’s range of V12 models that now also includes the all-wheel drive FF.
In the space of just four years, Ferrari has achieved the objective of offering different Ferraris for different ‘Ferraristi.’ This refers to the exotic Italian companies expansion with the front-engine V8 California 2+2 and the aforementioned all-wheel drive V12 FF. Ironically enough, Ferrari have also just announced in Europe that they want to return to a more familiar and exclusive space in the market place where they restrict production to just 7 000 units annual across all models of car.
As for the F12berlinetta, the V12 beast matches the ever-increasing power outputs of the world’s lavishly-powered new breed of supercars and, until LaFerrari arrives, it is quite simply the most powerful and most high-performance road-going Ferrari ever.
The F12berlinetta is built around highly evolved transaxle architecture and features state-of-the-art components and control systems. The F12berlinetta’s aerodynamics have also been honed to the extreme in an innovative design that redefines classic Ferrari themes.
The F12berlinetta’s wheelbase is shorter and its engine, dashboard and seats are lower in the chassis. A new suspension and gearbox layout helped reduce the car’s rear volume. The result is a shorter, lower and narrower car than the 599. The F12berlinetta boasts ideal weight distribution (54% over the rear axle) as well as a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis.
The spaceframe chassis and bodyshell are completely new and now incorporate no less than 12 different aluminium alloys, some of which have been used for the first time in the automotive sector. New assembly and joining technologies were also adopted in its construction. This has allowed the car’s overall weight to be kept to just 1 525 kg and has maximised its performance efficiency with torsional rigidity boosted by 20 percent.
At the heart of the machine is the direct-injection 6.3-litre V12 engine, which delivers unprecedented performance for a naturally-aspirated powerplant. It punches out a maximum of 544 kW at 8 250 r/min, with a specific power output of 87 kW/L and maximum revs of 8 700 r/min. Responsiveness and strong pick-up is guaranteed, with maximum torque of 690 Nm, 80 percent of which is readily available at 2 500 r/min.
With a lap time around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track of just 1 minute 23 seconds, 0 – 100 km/h acceleration in 3.1 seconds and 0 – 200 km/h in 8.5 seconds, the F12berlinetta is the most high-performance road car in Ferrari history. Just as impressive is that greater design efficiency has resulted in reduced fuel consumption and emissions by an impressive 30 percent. The improvements have been achieved through in-depth, 360-degree research into all vehicle systems including the engine, aerodynamics, tyres, brakes and ancillaries. This places the F12berlinetta at the top of the segment with 15 l/100 km and 350 g/km of CO2 respectively. Not exactly low figures, but for 544 kW, we suppose that’s not too bad.
A host of new aerodynamic solutions have been discreetly integrated into the F12berlinetta’s styling. These include the ‘Aero Bridge’ which, in a first, uses the bonnet to generate down force. It employs Active Brake Cooling; a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures. The result of these interventions is that the F12berlinetta has the highest overall aerodynamic efficiency of any Ferrari ever built (a value of 1.2, which is double that of the 599 GTB Fiorano) with downforce of 123 kg at 200 km/h and a drag coefficient of just 0.299.
The product of collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina, the F12berlinetta features harmonious and balanced proportions. It is a truly original, innovative coupé with all of the signature features of an authentic Ferrari V12. Clothed in sleek, aggressive lines, it offers superb occupant space and comfort despite its relatively compact dimensions.
The rear is characterised by a modern, functional reinterpretation of the Kamm tail, which seamlessly integrates the two vertical fences of the rear diffuser. The resulting, original T-shape also incorporates two full-LED circular tail-lights and the clearly F1-inspired rear fog light.
The F12berlinetta’s technical specifications are completed by the very latest version of the carbon-ceramic braking system, a further evolution of the magnetorheological suspension (SCM-E) and the latest development in electronic vehicle control systems (E-diff, ESC, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS). All controls are integrated in a single, fast-responding CPU featuring new software.
The interior focuses on something intrinsic to Ferrari’s DNA; the advanced technology that comes in the form of the ‘Human-Machine Interface’ which places all controls within easy reach of the driver. The cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats, which can also be easily reached thanks to the large aperture offered by the tail-gate.
Ferrari say the F12berlinetta offers unprecedented levels of sportiness, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience.
How much does such a thing cost? Well, if you’re in the market for such a car it’s a bit crass to discuss such things old chap. Its ‘price on application’ (POA) of course, but we know for around R4.8 million you can put your name in the hat; expect to wait around two years for it though.
