A front-engined V12 and rear-wheel drive is the purist recipe for a road-going Ferrari.
In 1949, after nine years of racing on-track, the first Ferrari road car left the Fiorina factory in Italy with that layout, a recipe that’s been adhered to right up to 2018. And at Big Boys Toys this year, Ferrari’s latest V12 creation will take centre stage — the 812 Superfast.
Unveiled for the first time at the Geneva motor show in 2017, the 812 Superfast is the fastest and most powerful car in Ferrari’s line-up. Ferrari is so proud of the model that it will use it again to underpin the newly announced SP1 and SP2 open-top roadsters.
Replacing the F12 Berlinetta and hardcore, track-focused F12tdf (Tour de France, pictured above left), the 812 had ushered in a new era of V12 Ferrari power with an improved “extreme performance” version of the F12’s engine sitting underneath the 812’s long hood.
The 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 now produces 588kW of power at 8500rpm and 718Nm of torque available on tap from 3500 to 7000rpm.
As a result, the 812 Superfast is the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine made.
Although the 812 Superfast is technically classed as a Grand Tourer, the engine propels the two-seater from 0-100km/h in a supercar-shaming 2.9 seconds and to a top speed of 340km/h.
The 812 that’s set to appear at Big Boys Toys is one of three in New Zealand, but its spec is unique.
The Alluminio Opaco matt grey paint is matched with matt forged racing wheels that were an option on the F12tdf. The unique body colour is paired with a brown leather interior and optional Daytona racing seats.
Click here for our Me & My Car interview with Ferrari owner Grant Baker
Peer inside the cabin and you’ll notice Ferrari’s incredible steering wheel design that features everything from indicators, wipers and drive mode switches.
The 812’s body was designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, featuring a fastback silhouette and high tail harking back to the 1964 365 GTB4.
The bodywork sees a slight redesign front and rear compared to its predecessor, changes that channel more air across the body and into the air intakes and over active air flaps to create down force.
As Ferrari recently announced a bold new business plan to “significantly expand its hybrid powertrain offerings” while launching 15 new models before 2025, it appears the days of naturally aspirated V12 Ferraris could be coming to an end — but the 812 Superfast continues to show the heart of Ferrari is still intact, continuing to develop the iconic engine configuration that’s central to the Italian company’s heritage.
● Big Boys Toys takes place at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland from November 16-18. Tickets and info can be found by clicking here
