The first and most difficult challenge Ferrari always faces when it decides to develop a new model is to push the boundaries of its own achievements yet again. This challenge is made all the tougher when the task at hand involves designing a new 12-cylinder engine, the power unit that hailed the start of the glorious Prancing Horse story 70 years ago in 1947.

On this occasion, intensive research and development focused on exploiting Ferrari’s wealth of track-derived engineering know-how has produced a unique model designed to offer its drivers both benchmark performance across the board and the most riveting and rewarding driving experience possible. Whilst, of course, also guaranteeing the superb comfort on longer trips that is the signature of a genuine Grand Tourer berlinetta. Ferrari’s past is studded with just such cars, a long and illustrious list of exceptional models that have gone down in automotive history.

The obsessive pursuit of the most seamless melding possible of state-of-the-art running gear with a harmonious yet edgy design from the ever-inventive Ferrari Styling Centre, has produced a near-perfect aerodynamic package.

The 812 Superfast’s exceptionally futuristic, finely-honed lines also, however, clothe Prancing Horse power at its rawest, as an entirely new 12-cylinder engine of unprecedented efficiency and might was designed for the car.

That engine’s output has been boosted by 60 cv compared to the F12berlinetta, so that it unleashes a massive 800 CV, making the 812 Superfast the most powerful and fastest road-going Ferrari ever built (with the exception, of course, of the mid-rear-engined, special limited-series 12-cylinders). The 812 Superfast thus ushers in a new era in Ferrari 12-cylinder history, in doing so, building on the invaluable legacies of the F12berlinetta and F12tdf.

To make full use of that huge power and to guarantee perfect weight distribution, the car exploits a highly evolved transaxle architecture that couples a front-mounted engine with a rear-mounted transmission.

The 812 Superfast is equipped with leading-edge vehicle dynamics control systems and components. It is striking for both its highly innovative design and aero package, as well as its unparalleled handling. It is also the first Ferrari to sport EPS (Electric Power Steering).

Simply put, the 812 Superfast is the new benchmark for mid-front-engined sports cars. And at its heart is the new 12-cylinder which has forged its character.

Like all cars with Prancing Horse DNA, this new berlinetta delivers exhilarating feedback both on road and track, but equally promises exceptionally fluid handling and ride comfort that drivers will appreciate on longer journeys.

The 812 Superfast, in fact, is aimed at clients that demand the most powerful and exclusive Ferrari in the range. They want a blisteringly high-performance car, but refuse to compromise on the kind of versatility that will allow them to thoroughly appreciate driving it as a 360-degree experience.

Engine
Type V12 – 65°
Overall displacement 6496 cc
Bore and stroke 94 mm x 78 mm
Max. power output*
588 kW (800 cv) at 8,500 rpm
Max. torque* 718 Nm at 7,000 rpm
Max. engine speed 8,900 rpm
Compression ratio 13.64:1
Transmission/gearbox 4WS/
7-speed F1 DCT/ E-Diff3

Performance
Max. speed 340 km/h
0-100 km/h 2.9 sec
0-200 km/h 7.9 sec
100-0 km/h 32
Dry weight/power 1.9 kg

Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption*** 14.9 l/100 km
Emissions*** 340g CO2/km