Ferrari celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017 with flashy festivities around the world but most significantly by the unveiling of the 812 Superfast in Geneva Motor Show, noting that the V12 series marked the official start of the glorious Prancing Horse story back in 1947. The 812 Superfast thus personifies a new era in Ferrari’s 12-cylinder history, succeeding the F12 Berlinetta and F12 tdf, of course.
Outside
It was designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre with smart lines and proportions. Her silhouette is characterized by a fastback sleekness: a two-box design with a high tail, reminding us of that 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB4. The tail appears visually shorter due to the design of the flanks, the muscular wheel-arches infuse the 812 Superfast with the command and hostility of its massive V12. Full-LED headlights are integrated into the design of the carved air intakes on the bonnet.
Moving to the back, four round tail-lights shaped around horizontal lines give the 812 an expansive, striking posture, visually lowering both the spoiler and cabin. Needless to mention that with all Ferrari cars, style and aerodynamic function are effortlessly cohesive to yield advanced solutions and forms. This is translated by the multi-functional frontal section, which combines a group of aerodynamic solutions including active flaps at the front of the underbody. The rear flank is characterized by an aerodynamic by-pass to increase downforce. The car was launched in a special new color, Rosso Settanta, marking Ferrari’s 70th anniversary.
Inside
Spacious and comfortable, the cockpit is sporty for sure, but also dramatic, or drastic with elements that appear to be floating. It combines the looks of a pedigree racing beast with high sophistication. Everything is new: the seats are sportier and more ergonomic, the steering wheel, instrument clusters, air-conditioning units, infotainment and the HMI (Human Machine Interface).
Numbers
Nothing less than a 6.5-litre V12, developing 800 hp 8,500 rpm, with a maximum torque of 718 Nm @ 7,000 rpm, 80% of which is already available at 3,500 rpm, hence improving the drivability and pick-up even at low revs.
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is in 2.9 seconds, top speed is over 340 Km/h. Basically, no other front-engined production car has ever come close to these figures… So yes, this Berlinetta is currently the most powerful and the fastest Ferrari in the marque’s history (keeping aside hypercars such as LaFerrari which are never rated as production cars)!
How exactly were these performance levels achieved? Well, simply enter F1 technology! Ferrari adopted a 350 bar direct injection system for the very first time on a high-performance engine and paired it with variable geometry intake tracts theoretically derived from those of naturally-aspirated F1 engines. Add it to an extreme performance dual-clutch transmission with specific gear ratios which, combined with shorter up and down-shifting times between gears, sharpens throttle response furthermore.
The engine’s power is accentuated by a full rich exhaust sound that exploits the acoustic punch delivered by its increased displacement…so yes, it even revs your heart before your ears!
The 812 Superfast is equipped with advanced control systems and components, resulting in unparalleled handling and road-holding. It’s the first Ferrari with sport EPS (Electric Power Steering) which, in accordance with Ferrari’s engineering approach, is used to fully exploit the potential of the car’s performance and, through the complete integration with all the electronic vehicle dynamics controls – including the latest 5.0 version of Ferrari’s patented Side Slip Control (SSC) - make its brutal performance easier to handle and even more thrilling to exploit.
The vehicle controls also feature, the Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system (PCV) which, following the experience gained with the F12tdf, offers an evolution of the software that improves the agility of the handling, in addition to reducing the vehicle response times.
Who is?
Obviously, the Ferraristi, but also those new-comers who want the most powerful and exclusive Ferrari to date in their garage, those who want an uncompromising supercar with adrenaline-charged performance on the road and on track, yet comfortable enough to be driven every day!