Bye bye F12 Berlinetta, hello 812 Superfast. Yes, really. Tech and numbers here

This, ladies and gents, is the Ferrari 812 Superfast. It is the latest V12 Ferrari supercar and the replacement for the F12 Berlinetta.

Yes, it’s really called Superfast. Ferrari’s wildly inconsistent naming structure is now, perhaps, calling on the suggestions of nine year olds. But mock as much as you like: the name ought to be thoroughly justified.

That’s because beneath the 812’s bonnet, powering the rear wheels and no doubt making a jolly mess of Alpine hairpins, is a 6.5-litre V12 with 789bhp. Yikes. That makes it nearly 60bhp healthier than the old F12’s 6.3-litre V12. This 6.5 is Ferrari’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine yet. Quite fitting, giving it may just be its last.

That peak power is delivered at 8,500rpm, by which point the noise is doubtless spectacular. Peak torque – 530lb ft, since you ask – arrives little earlier, at a still dizzying 7,000rpm. God, we’ll miss turbo-free engines.

The numbers you need for your next game of Top Trumps are a 2.9sec 0-62mph time and a ‘211mph-plus’ top speed. Even if that only means 212mph, it’s damn impressive. Superfast name probably justified, though a Tesla is half a second quicker to 62, it’s worth noting…

There are plenty of acronyms to help ensure the power isn’t wastefully spun away. EPS is Ferrari’s first electric power steering system, there’s a fifth-generation version of SSC (Side Slip Control, Ferrari’s drift god mode), and a second-generation application of Virtual Short Wheelbase, Ferrari’s four-wheel-steering system. Despite the extra tech, its 1,525kg dry weight is unchanged from the F12’s. Those kilos are reasonably well distributed, too, split 47/53 front/rear.

The styling is rather more complex than the pretty F12’s, with quad taillights, new air intakes up front and all manner of aerodynamic aids, such as active flaps and that incongruously red rear diffuser. Though conversely it looks like the F12’s open front fender ‘aero bridge’ has been closed off. The lights are all LED while the colour is apparently new, though still very recognisably rosso.

Inside, there’s a new steering wheel and resdesigned instrument clusters, but if you didn’t like Ferrari’s approach to ergonomics before, you’re not going to be suddenly won over. The 812 Superfast is an evolution rather than revolution over the F12 Berlinetta.

We’ll see the Ferrari 812 Superfast at the 2017 Geneva motor show, which opens in early March. We should have a better idea of its tech, aero and perhaps pricing then, too. Though it’s safe to say you’ll need at least £250,000, and a modestly specced 812 will pass £300,000 fairly quickly.

For now, the question is simple. Like the look of it? And is the name superb or silly? Comments below, please…

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s F8 Spider debut, Ferrari is now introducing yet another convertible. Based on the V12-engined 812 Superfast coupe, the new 812 GTS is touted as being the most powerful cabriolet you can buy thanks to its naturally aspirated 6.5-liter gasoline engine pushing out 789 horsepower and a massive 718 Newton-meters (530 pound-feet) of torque.

To put those numbers into perspective, the new convertible from Maranello outshines not only the Chevy Corvette ZR1 (C7) Convertible with its 755 hp generated by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, but also the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster rated at 759 hp coming from a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12.

The entire horsepower kicks in at 8,500 rpm but the V12 actually redlines at an impressive 8,900 rpm, with the full torque available from 7,000 rpm. The driver can access 80% of the available torque from only 3,500 rpm, so it goes without saying the 812 GTS should be a real blast under hard acceleration.

Like the coupe, the new 812 GTS is super fast – pun intended. It needs under three seconds to complete the sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) or an extra tenth of a second compared to its fixed-roof sibling. The journey from 0 to 124 mph (200 kph) is achieved in as little as 8.3 seconds, which represents an increase of 0.4s over the coupe. Flat out, it’ll do over 211 mph (340 kph) or just about the same as the Superfast.

Much like the F8 Spider we mentioned in the beginning, the 812 GTS makes use of an electrically retractable hardtop that needs only 14 seconds to open while the car is traveling at speeds of up to 28 mph (45 kph). As with just about every other convertible out there, chopping off the fixed roof required some strengthening of the chassis, which had an impact on weight as Ferrari had to add 75 kilograms (165 pounds). Despite putting on some fat, the 812 GTS is said to be just as “elastic” as the coupe thanks to specially calibrated magnetorheological dampers.

One ace up the 812 GTS’ sleeve is the electrically operated rear screen acting as a windbreaker. It makes the car more enjoyable and comfortable when the roof is down, and allows the V12’s glorious soundtrack to better penetrate the cabin while the roof is up and the glass is left open.

As a final note, it’s worth mentioning the 812 GTS is actually the first front-mounted V12 Spider regular production model from Ferrari released in the last 50 years, after the 1969 365 GTS4 a.k.a. Daytona Spider. There were other droptops with the V12 up front during this half a century, but cars like the 2000 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, 2005 575 Superamerica, 2010 SA Aperta, and the 2014 F60 America have all been limited-run special editions.

Some vehicles, even certain supercars, need an element of surprise to fully engage the audience. The Ferrari 812 GTO (the nameplate is still tentative) certainly isn't one of them. We knew a track special based on the 812 Superfast is coming and while these images deliver a prototype sighting, none of it will affect the spectacle of the Prancing Horse's release.

The reason for which the 812 Gran Turismo Omologato (this badge is Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated" and dates back to the iconic 1962 250 GTO) is its engine. In fact, this is just one of the reasons, but we'll get to the others in a minute.

You see, the newcomer is expected to introduce the swansong of the Ferrari F140, a 65-degree DOHC V12 engine family that has been with us road drivers since 2002, when the all-mighty Enzo was introduced. Meanwhile, the various F140 derivatives have animated road-going Prancing Horses like the 599, the FF, the F12, the LaFerrari (of course), the GTC4Lusso and, obviously, the 812, along with the Monza SP1/SP2.

World's most powerful N/A road car motor? Engine of the Year Award? Yes, there are multiple such accolades in this motor's trophy cabinet. However, the Italians are expected to take the thing well past the 8,500 rpm redline of the 812 Superfast/GTS and even above the 9,000 rpm it offered on the LaF, so you can expect at least 850 ponies with a sky-is-the-limit 9,500 rpm.

Future V12 Fezzas, such as the Purosangue SUV, will probably use a "new" family of engines - keep in mind that the carmaker trademarked an atmospheric spark-coupled injection motor last year, albeit with this appearing to still pack the 65-degree angle that defines the F140, while aiming for higher efficiency.

Of course, super-GT-based special such as the 812 GTO won't be dominated by its powerplant. Instead, the razor-sharp handling and the still-there coziness aspects of the machine will make for an intoxicating mix. Unlike its predecessor, the F12 TDF, the newcomer should be easy to manage at the limit.

Compared to the 812 Superfast, we can expect a friendlier scale footprint, along with serious extra downforce - the pair of spy pics in the post below (lens tip to Lorenzo Roman via Wilco Block) talks of the said aero changes, albeit with the prototype still not allowing us to notice the production design.

Ferrari has introduced the Omologata, a client-commissioned one-off based on the 812 Superfast. It's a heritage-laced tribute to the firm's historic race cars, but its designers chose not to venture too far into retro territory.

Finished in Rosso Magma, the Omologata is the 10th front-engined, V12-powered one-of-a-kind car that Ferrari has built since 2009. Visually, it shares only its windshield and its headlights with the model it's based on, though its proportions are inevitably similar. Its pure, muscular design is characterized by subtle references to the Prancing Horse's past models, like vents below the hood that echo the hugely successful 250 GTO race car. It was also inspired by science fiction and modern architecture, according to the Italian company.

Ferrari created a new shade of red for the 7 emblems on both doors and on the hood, and for the stripe that runs beneath the windshield as it connects the rocker panels. Why 7? We don't know, but we highly doubt it was chosen randomly. Its owner may sooner or later shed light on its relevance. Here's another interesting number: two. That's the number of years it took to create the Omologata, from the moment a designer completed the first sketch to its unveiling in September 2020. It wears a hand-made aluminum body, after all.

Electric blue seats with four-point harnesses add a touch of color to a mostly black interior. Ferrari notes the metal parts on the dashboard and on the steering wheel are finished with a crackled paint effect, while the door handles and the center console wear a coat of hammered paint. Both connect the Omologata to decades-old race cars.

The sculpted hood hides a V12, but technical specifications haven't been published. For context, the 812 Superfast easily lives up to its name with a naturally-aspirated, 6.5-liter V12 tuned to develop 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. It spins the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Ferrari hasn't revealed the identity of the customer who commissioned the Omologata; all we know is that it was made for "a discerning European client." Pricing remains under wraps, too, but we suppose it came with a seven-digit price tag. Keep in mind it's a coachbuilt supercar based on a model whose base price hovers around $340,000, and it's made with numerous components developed and manufactured specifically for it.

Ferrari stressed its aim wasn't to create a museum piece. The Omologata meets the same quality and drivability standards as a regular-production model, hence its name, which means "homologated" in Italian. Time will tell if its owner will take advantage of the street-legal status to use the car on a regular basis, or if it will be kept hidden until it's displayed in front of the champagne-soaked crowd at the 2073 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The Ferrari 812 Competizione, the new limited-edition special series car derived from the 812 Superfast, was presented along with the Ferrari 812 Competizione A, a spectacular Targa-top version, again a limited-series and an homage to the Prancing Horse's glorious open-top tradition.

The presentation took place in a very special venue, the recently-opened GT Sporting Activities Department located alongside the Fiorano track, further strengthening the inextricable link between Maranello's road-going sports cars and the peerless racing DNA developed as a result of over seven decades of success on the world's circuits.

The launch began with the 812 Competizione completing several laps of the circuit to give viewers a full appreciation of the car's forms in this dynamic and high performance context in addition, of course, to hear the unmistakeable sound of Ferrari's iconic naturally-aspirated V12. After the hot laps Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, officially presented the car and then unveiled the 812 Competizione A.

This duo of cars is dedicated to a very exclusive group of collectors and enthusiasts of the most noble of Ferrari traditions, which focuses on uncompromising maximum performance. The innovative technological concepts applied to the engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics have raised the bar to new heights.

Once behind the wheel of the 812 Competizione and the 812 Competizione A, the driver becomes one with the car, regardless of whether it is on road or track. The car guarantees instantaneous responsiveness to commands and absolute control even in the most complex of manoeuvres. Maximum fun behind the wheel and driving exhilaration are ensured at all speeds, thanks in great part to the new independent, four-wheel steering, which delivers exceptional agility and precision in cornering.

If it feels like we've been saying goodbye a lot lately, that's because we have. The Ferrari 812 Competizione isn't just the last version of the F12 that launched in 2012, it likely also will be the last new Ferrari that isn't a hybrid. Every prancing horse that follows it will have a battery pack and an electric motor to aid acceleration, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions. With the LaFerrari and the SF90, Ferrari has proved that it can integrate and optimize a hybrid system for performance, so we're not too concerned about the short-term future. But the 812 Competizione does feel like the end of an era—the last glorious stand of the nonhybrid V-12-powered Ferrari.

The 6.5-liter V-12 under the hood of the new Ferrari 812 Competizione is an internal-combustion exclamation mark. It types in ALL CAPS as it revs all the way to a valvetrain-pulverizing 9500 rpm. Suddenly the 8600-rpm redline of the new Chevy Corvette Z06 doesn't seem so impressive.

Granted, at $601,570, the Competizione costs a lot more than a Z06, and the production run of 500 coupes and 312 Competizione A models—the A is for Aperta, or "open" in Italian—are all spoken for. What those very lucky buyers will get is an 819-hp V-12 to end all V-12s. To bump the redline up by 500 rpm over the 812 Superfast's already-dizzying 9000-rpm limit, the Competizione's engine gets titanium connecting rods, a lighter crankshaft, a new cylinder head with finger-follower actuated valves, and diamond-like carbon coating on several surfaces to reduce friction. A redesigned oil tank better handles lateral and longitudinal forces, and it holds a less-viscous oil than other V-12 Ferraris, allowing a variable-rate oil pump to move the engine's blood more efficiently and at a greater rate. Thinner oil is the equivalent of this car being on blood thinners. No one wants a clot.

If the 812 Superfast is truth in advertising, then the Competizione is super-duper fast. Your mind struggles to process the experience because your senses can't quite keep up. Surges to the 9250-rpm power peak in first and second gear happen so quickly that if you think about anything but pulling the right shift paddle, you'll bang into the rev limiter. Thoughtfully, Ferrari fits shift lights on the top of the steering wheel to help track the approaching redline. They're your only hope of getting it right.

Even in the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic's higher gears, the engine pulls doggedly and fast to the redline. Power delivery is exactly what you'd hope for in a 12-cylinder car: smooth, linear, and uninterrupted. From the outside, the sound is right out of the combustion engine's greatest-hits album. Inside, the engine growls deeply and directly through the redesigned intake. Hold the accelerator down and straights shrink to nothing, with braking zones arriving sooner than expected. Front brake calipers borrowed from the SF90 feature integrated cooling ducts to improve fade resistance and facilitate the removal of dedicated brake ducting.

To keep the Competizione on the ground, Ferrari added a new rear diffuser and a revised rear-spoiler profile. The most obvious change made to satisfy the air is the rear window, which is no longer a window. Instead of rear glass, a lighter-than-glass panel with riblike protrusions disrupts the airflow, helping balance the downforce acting on the rear of the car. There’s still an inside rearview mirror, but it projects what the little camera stuck on the panel sees out back.

Typical of Ferrari, steering efforts are light. Quick to respond to every tiny movement, the nose moves with an amazing agility that never seems darty or nervous. Even with a big V-12 up front, the Competizione manages to carry 49 percent of its weight over the nose (thank you, rear-mounted transaxle). Helping to keep this missile stable is a retuned rear-wheel-steering system. In addition to moving in response to steering inputs, the rear steer now acts without steering-wheel input to stabilize the car or help mitigate understeer. Brake hard in a straight line and the system will toe the rear wheels in to keep the car on its path. In our few laps around Ferrari's test track, we didn't exactly notice the system at play, but the Competizione is without bad habits, and the predictable handling engenders the confidence to whip this ridiculously expensive and powerful car around a racetrack.

For the trackbound, Ferrari offers a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tire option. Base versions (if something this expensive can be called "base") ride on Pirelli P Zero Corsa PZ4Cs. Tire width remains the same as on the Superfast—275/35R-20s in front and 315/35R-20s in back—but the aggressive Michelins (and even the Corsas) should better the Superfast's 1.00 g of grip we measured on the skidpad back in 2018. Those grip levels take a bit of getting used to—we didn't drive on the Pirellis—but so do the power, the sound, and the entire experience. There's joy in the challenge of probing the Competizione's limits and switching the steering-wheel knob (manettino) from Race to C/T off, the setting that dials back the stability control and shuts off the traction control.

A mix of tradition and technology, the Competizione carries its V-12 proudly up front as if this is still the early 1960s. But every inch of the car has been tweaked and pushed to technological limits. The only thing left is to add an electric motor to the mix. And that's likely what will happen with every Ferrari from here on out.

At an exclusive event held at Casa Ferrari during the 2023 Monterey Car Week, the Maranello-based company unveiled a one-of-a-kind Ferrari 812 Competizione. Without precedent, this Tailor Made car was inspired by the concept of a blank sheet, which is how the Ferrari Styling Centre starts its creative research for every new model.

The Tailor Made concept is applied to is one of just 999 Ferrari 812 Competiziones, a limited and extremely exclusive series intended for collectors and enthusiasts of the world's most exciting twelve-cylinder. It is distinguished by a commemorative plaque affixed to the interior as a testament to its original inspiration.

This Tailor Made 812 Competizione was commissioned by Ferrari North America and will be auctioned at the Ferrari Gala held in New York City on October 17, 2023 at the culmination of an exclusive event aimed at celebrating the Maranello-based company's unique community and passion for the brand. All proceeds will be donated to charity as part of the education support projects that have been the focal point of the Prancing Horse's charitable activities.

The process of developing the craftsmanship techniques used to create such original and creative patterns took over a year of close collaboration between the Styling Centre and the Tailor Made team, which handles the most innovative personalisation projects at Ferrari. The main challenge was to seek the perfect balance between flawless technical realization and maintaining the creative spark and artistic craftsmanship that flow from Ferrari Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni's drawings, which provided the inspiration for this model with its unique details.

The car, in fact, has been imagined as one of the now iconic yellow cards on which Maranello designers transfer their first ideas, insights and notes from mind to paper and on which - iteration after iteration, detail after detail, idea after idea - new concepts, unique stylistic features and shapes are composed that will become part of the history of Italian automotive design.

On the car, in matte Giallo Tristrato, the lines composed by the designer who imagined the elegant and sporty forms of the Ferrari 812 Competizione and its most iconic details have been traced in matte Nero DS Sketch. Notable among them are the carbon fibre blade that cuts across the horizontal plane of the front bonnet acting as an air intake for the engine, the characteristic louvres on the side - a tribute to the best twelve-cylinder Ferrari tradition - as well as the vortex generators on the rear screen devoid of glass, replaced by a concealed rear-view camera.

The same concept is echoed in the interior. The new-generation Alcantara® that covers the cockpit of this 812 Competizione, composed of 65 percent recycled polyester and presented as a world premiere on Ferrari Purosangue, is embellished with design sketches that have been embroidered directly onto it using a highly innovative technique. This is a truly unique solution, as Ferrari usually employs leather for this kind of custom motif. Completing the elegant interior trim is the black trilobal Superfabric® used for the carpet and rear wall of the passenger compartment.

The Ferrari 812 Competizione, dedicated to a small group of collectors and purists of the noblest Ferrari tradition, aims for maximum performance without leaving room for compromise. Innovative technological concepts have enabled it to reach new performance heights, making the model ideal for the unlimited wealth of combinations and possibilities offered by the Ferrari Tailor Made program.

On the Ferrari 812 Competizione, the driver, both on the road and on the track, becomes one with the car, which guarantees immediate responsiveness to the controls and total control even in the most complex manoeuvres. Driving thrills are always at the highest level thanks to the contribution of the independent four-wheel steering system, which gives it agility and cornering precision, and the most exciting 830-hp V12 on the world automotive scene. The engine pairs impressive power with exhilarating delivery and the sound that Maranello's 12-cylinder purists know so well.

FERRARI TAILOR MADE

Ferrari Tailor Made is Ferrari's exclusive programme dedicated to those who wish to personalise every area of their Ferrari to create a car that thoroughly reflects their character and personal tastes. Customers who join the programme are assisted by a team of experts and guided by a personal designer who interprets their wishes while respecting the brand's aesthetic standards.