Ferrari 12Cilindri – a modern Daytona

Ferrari has a new 12-cylinder model, imaginatively called the Ferrari 12Cilindri. Both the coupe and convertible were unveiled in Miami recently. This coincided with the 70th anniversary of Ferrari’s arrival on the American market.

Inspired by the past 

The Ferrari 12Cilindri is inspired by the Grand Tourers of the 1950s and ‘60s, and the firm says it ‘embodies the front-mounted Ferrari V12 two-seater mission with its effortless combination of elegance, versatility, and performance. The car represents the latest evolution in this bloodline and continues that unique legacy, elevating it towards new standards in performance, comfort, and design’. 

V12 loves to rev 

The V12 develops 830hp, redlines at 9500rpm while 80 per cent of the torque is available at 2500rpm. Ferrari said ‘most of the modifications focused on optimising torque delivery in all operating conditions’. Engineers worked to reduce the weight and inertia of the engine’s components, adopting titanium con rods. A different aluminium alloy was used for the pistons, making them lighter than on previous applications. Further weight reduction was gained by the adoption of a rebalanced crankshaft which is three per cent lighter. The valvetrain has sliding finger followers, derived from Formula 1tech, with the aim of ‘reducing mass and availing of more high-performance valve profiles’. 

Aspirated Torque Shaping (ATS), an innovative software strategy developed to modify the maximum torque available as a function of the gear selected, is deployed for the first time on a naturally-aspirated engine. ‘This gives the driver the feeling of smooth, progressive pick-up as the transmission ratio increases, another vital factor in making the driving exhilaration delivered by the Ferrari 12Cilindri truly unique’. Along with ATS, new gear ratios compared with the old 812, are said to ‘keep acceleration levels high and allow the engineers to define a new torque curve shape for an aspirated engine’.

Should sound good too

A new exhaust system with ceramic catalytic converters and a particulate filter means it is emissions compliant in Europe. It has equal-length exhaust tracts and a 6-in-1 manifold for both banks. The noise is said to deliver ‘Ferrari’s typical V12 howl that comprises all of the noble combustion orders’.  

The 12Cilindri uses an eight-speed dual clutch transmission with 30 per cent faster shifting times than the SF90 and a shorter final drive than the old 812. 

Looks good 

Ferrari says the 12Cilindri ‘marks a clear departure from the sculptural language that characterised the 812 Competizione, instead favouring a more sophisticated language that still retains the necessary formal design rigour to achieve a sense of stylistic unity’.

There is no rear spoiler, instead the designers have used two active flaps integrated with the rear screen. 

There’s a dual-cockpit effect inside, driver and passenger space clearly demarcated. A new tinted glass roof has been incorporated for the coupe, which is said to significantly improve the airiness of the cabin. There’s a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) comprising three displays. All main functions can be controlled from the central 10-inch touchscreen which is flanked by a 15.6-inch driver display showing all of the driving and vehicle dynamics information. The passenger gets their own 8.8-inch display too. 

Updated on board tech

The new V12 range topper has brake-by-wire tech allowing the use of ABS Evo that debuted on the 296 GTB. It has a ‘6D sensor’ that ‘guarantees optimal precision to the Virtual Short Wheelbase (PCV) 3.0 and Side Slip Control (SSC) 8.0 systems, together with reduced braking distances and a more accurate repeatability of braking’. 

The all-aluminium chassis is all new and has a 20-mm reduction in wheelbase compared to the 812 Superfast’s and its 15 per cent stiffer. It gets four-wheel independent steering which manages the movement of every wheel independently to improve yaw management in cornering and responsiveness during rapid direction changes. Weight distribution is quoted at 48.4 per cent front and 51.6 per cent to the rear. 

The 12Cilindri wears either Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres measuring 275/35ZR21 at the front and 315/35ZR21 at the rear. These are said to offer more grip but also 15 per cent less rolling resistance than the tyres fitted to the 812.