After Ferrari updated the FF to the GTC4Lusso, and subsequently the turbocharged V8 GTC4Lusso T, we’d all but resigned ourselves to the notion that the naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 was dead and gone. Ferrari have held off on binning the V12 completely though, as the successor to the F12berlinetta has now been revealed – NA V12 and all. This is the rather unimaginatively named Ferrari 812 Superfast.
Presumably, Lamborghini hold naming rights to ‘Superveloce’ – the Italian translation of Superfast – leaving Ferrari to match the cheesy naming first seen with the Ferrari LaFerrari (Ferrari The Ferrari). But just how fast is the Ferrari 812 Superfast? Try 0-100km/h in a rather brief 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of over 340km/h.
It’s thanks to the revised 6.5-litre V12 engine, with a massive 800HP (588kW @ 8500rpm) and 718Nm @ 7000rpm – making this the most powerful series production Ferrari in the brand’s 70 year history. It’s a revised, larger capacity version of the V12 found in the LaFerrari, driving the rear wheels of the 1525kg Ferrari 812 Superfast through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The front engined, rear wheel driven super-GT’s handling characteristics have been improved over the F12 it replaces thanks to technology first seen on the F12 TDF. In addition to version 5.0 of Ferrari’s SSC (Side Slip Control) stability system, the Ferrari 812 Superfast boasts the ‘Virtual Short Wheelbase’ 2.0 system (four wheel steering). The 812 Superfast is also the first Ferrari to utilise Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).
Visually, the Ferrari 812 Superfast has been styled in house by the folks in Maranello – and whilst it lacks the finesse of Pininfarina designs, it can hardly be accused of not being striking enough. The fastback design is said to contain elements reminiscent of the 1969 365 GTB4. The 812 Superfast launches in an all new colour – Rosso Settanta – to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary.
Sadly, this is likely to be the final swansong of the naturally aspirated V12 from Maranello. At the local launch of the Ferrari 488 GTB, the chief engineer of the 488 confirmed to Torquing Cars that all newly developed engines would be turbocharged going forward – leaving this revised iteration of the current V12 as the last naturally aspirated 12 cylinder we’ll see from Ferrari.
As far as performances to bow out on go, a 588kW Ferrari 812 Superfast ranks pretty high. Enjoy it folks, because this is as good as ‘the old days’ get.
