First test of the Ferrari 12Cilindri: it carries the essence even in the name

cada V12 that comes off the production line Ferrari in Maranello It is a party, a way to honor its creator, Enzo Ferrariwhose predilection for this type of engines was such that even after his death, they continue to be religion. Although its sales will not be significant and even though Maybe soon we will no longer be able to continue with that tradition.in it 12Cylinder (it carries the philosophy even in the name) Italian designers and engineers have turned an extra passion which may not be reflected in the same way in other models.

It is about the successor to the 812 Superfastbut starting from the Competizione basefrom which it takes its engine V12 6.5 liters. If the engine is the soul of each Ferrari, in the case of the obligatory twelve cylinder berlinetta which always has to be part of the Italian brand’s range, they wanted to honor it with a packaging to match.

Inspired by history

Because in the 12 cylinder design tradition and modernity coexist. Honors the glorious V12 of the 70s by adopting a front that was used for the 365 GTB prototype but it was later modified. In any case, the nose immediately reminds us of the ‘Daytona’. But the most interesting thing is that this solution – that of a ‘mask’ instead of typical headlights– In addition to being original as well as simple, it suggests that it can be a design feature for others. upcoming Ferraris.

Ahead, the evocation of the past. By behindmodernity and originality that gives it an extreme evolution of a asymmetric rear which was already introduced -although more discreetly- in the SF90 Stradale. In it Ferrari 12CIlindri the body ‘breaks’ with a black area in the shape of delta wing which houses the trunk lid (270 liters) and, in the corners, two aeroflaps that are automatically deployed when it is necessary to have downforce additional in sports driving

This means that, curiously, One of the most flattering views of this car is the top-down view.. Just the one that we won’t be able to enjoy normally. But, in general, we are faced with one of the most beautiful Ferraris of recent times which, furthermore, confirms that the mix of tradition and modernity already applied in the Daytona SP3… works.

The same power as the 296 GTB, but…

Some may think that in the kingdom of 1,000 horsesthe 830 that the 12Cilindri deploys are nothing out of this world. In fact, and it is a coincidence, they are exactly the same ones delivered by the V6 of the 296 GTB. But the key here is the way of deploying them, which has nothing to do with that of the hybrid sports car.

To begin with, because This V12 stretches up to 9,500 revolutions and it does so in a complete, homogeneous way, without potholes, without transitions… as is to be expected in a twelve atmospheric cylinders (this gives 80% of the torque at 2,500 rpm). Although it is not as easy as it seems, because Ferrari engineers have had to develop a Specific torque management for third and fourth gearsthe most susceptible to discontinuity in thrust in atmospheric V12s.

As a novelty, it is associated with a double clutch box with one more speed than in the Superfast (8) which, logically, is noticeable during motorway cruises. But there are also modifications in the short gears, the development of which has been shortened by 5%. Finally, it is 30% faster in the gear shift (always appreciated although it was not a problem in the previous one) and is activated through large paddles behind the steering wheel (in addition to the original ‘H’ control so aesthetically successful).

More noble than the 812 Superfast

The 12Cilindri replaces and improves the 812 Superfast in different aspects. For example, your new chassis aluminum is a 15% stiffer. But, above all, it has a shortest battle and equip the rear steering of Purosangue (an element that Superfast lacked), which gives it a outstanding agility in tight turns and more solvency in high-speed curves.

The feeling that has been given to us in this first contact is that it is quite nobler and less critical than the 812 Superfastalthough it is true that the test took place around Luxembourgwhere the general high standard of living is particularly noticeable in the perfect condition of its roads. The semi-active magnetic suspension is the perfect ally on this type of road surface.

The engine, with more horses and less weight that drag that in the Purosangue, it feels very full at any regime and almost with any gear engaged. In calm driving there is plenty of torque reserve to recover but the best thing is that in the upper area it is a real volcano (2.9 seconds for 0-100) whose eruption seems like it will never end at stretch up to 9,500 turns.

But when the demand is maximum (as for example in our test in the clue from the Goodyear R&D center in Luxembourg), brings out all its genius. And if we dare to pass the manettino from Normal to ESP off without going through the Race mode It will be us, with the sensitivity of our right foot, who will have to modulate it to the edge of the limit. The good thing is that if we pass it, Oversteer is relatively easy to manage (of course, always on the circuit) and appears later than in its predecessor, much looser from behind than the 12Cilindri which is, clearly, more GT and less radical.

Of course, the sound is a part key to the driving experience of any Ferrari, but even more so in a V12. And, of course, in the 12Cilindri it does not disappoint. Suffice it to say that after 200 kilometers at his command even we come to miss a little more calm in the end . So, imagine if we move all the time in the orange and red area of ​​the steering wheel lights…

hidden wings

Although the silhouette of the 12Cilindri seems clean of aerodynamic elementsit’s not exactly like that. Because the ends of the rear ‘delta wing’ are occupied by two aeroflaps which are responsible for generating additional support when necessary.

Between 0 and 60 km/h and above 300 km/h they stay in position low drag (low resistance), but in the rest – depending on the longitudinal and lateral acceleration – it can adopt a mode high downforcedeploying up to 10 to provide a maximum of 50 kilos of support at 250 km/h. The effect in its aesthetics has reminded us of the Lamborghini Murcilago although unlike this one, in the 12Cilindri the driver does not see when they are deployed (neither through the rearview mirror nor through the rear window).

Known interior

Before finishing, some notes on the insidewhich is not as innovative as the silhouette (hence why it has not received as much attention in this article). In fact, the concept of dashboard divided into two areas Symmetrical controls for driver and passenger have already been introduced in the Purosangueonly in the 12Cilindri adds a central screen (10.25″ complementing the clock box, 15.6″ and the co-pilot panel, 8.8″).

As for the seats and upholstery, there are two different configurations to choose from, depending on whether we want a more racing or more elegant environment. And, in case you’re wondering… no, no Asetto Fiorano package (nor does it need to, at least aesthetically). What there is, in the best Ferrari tradition, is a Spider versionwhich arrive very soon.

However… not everything is positive. For example, it is easy to deduce that the such a low position of the central screen It forces you to take your eyes off the road a lot… and that’s what happens. Furthermore, from 130 km/h – which is not crazy for the 12Cilindri – the aerodynamic noise It becomes quite noticeable. Diagonal rear visibility is also not very good – in fact it is critical –in this case for the sake of design.

Likewise the glass ceiling is the only option possible and it is not variable opacity It doesn’t even have a curtain. Ferrari has calculated the ideal light flow for the interior and based on that it has chosen the tint of the moon… and it is what it is. We will have to see how it responds in warm countries like Spain.

An inaccessible Ferrari

The most of 400,000 euros from Purasangue They didn’t surprise us too much considering that it was a car that Ferrari wanted to sell on a limited basis and in which there were a lot of development work in the chassis and its own active suspension. But in the 12Cilindri none of that happens…

Of course… if inflation It has arrived at Dacia, as it will not also be at Ferrari. The 12Cilindri will cost the same in Spain as the Purosangue did in its day, 440,000 euros…without counting the optionswhich are present in every Ferrari and which, in reality, will raise the bill of each of these berlinettas above half a million euros.