The 812 Superfast is Ferrari’s last pure V12

We’ve seen it with the FF, and now it’s time for the F12 to get a shot at new life; meet the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Maranello’s most powerful production model since the beginning of Ferrari.

Aesthetically, the exterior design is a lot more aggressive than the F12, with redesigned LED headlights, a new grille and more noticeable aerodynamic features, like the active aerodynamic flaps which are fitted at the front to constantly increase or decrease downforce accordingly.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, there is a lot of Corvette-ness in the design language and the designers at Ferrari are probably sick of hearing this, although there is one thing that makes the 812 Superfast different from any other supercar on the planet, and that one thing is the fact that it really is “Superfast”.

Under the bonnet of the modernised F12 lies a massive, naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, and at the skeleton of the 812 is new chassis technology that has never been used on any of the previous models of this range.

The bigger engine produces 588kW of Italian power at 8500rpm and 720Nm of torque at 7000rpm. The rear wheels then receive this power from a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, meaning that 0-100km/h happens in just 2.9 seconds, all the way up to a speed of over 340km/h These numbers are more than enough to make the already potent F12tdf shiver, which offered a maximum of 574kW and 705Nm of torque.

The 812’s engine is such a big deal that it has officially been named the most potent front-mounted engine fitted to a production car and has been speculated to be Ferrari’s last ‘pure’ V12 engine before hybrid assistance and turbochargers make their way into the mix.

The 812 Superfast will also benefit from a plethora of new technology, like the electric power steering which has been developed to work hand-in-hand with Ferrari’s Slide Slip Control technology, as seen on the baby-brother 488 GTB. Another new feature is the second generation of Virtual Short Wheelbase, an update of the first-gen system used on the F12tdf which sharpens the car’s handling to decrease steering response times.

Ferrari will lift the covers off the 812 Superfast at the Geneva motor show, when orderbooks will also be opened.