Named in honour of the French endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the ‘50s and ’60s, the Ferrari F12tdf is a hardcore, track-oriented version of the fastest Prancing Horse we’ve driven. Only 799 examples will be made… and its price? POA.
Tipping the scales at 1 520 kg, the F12tdf is 110kg lighter than the standard F12berlinetta by virtue of what Ferrari describes as a “radical redesign of the body” as well as liberal applications of carbon fibre. The newcomer has a lower, wider stance and sharp front splitter, as well as vents in the bonnet. At the back, there are slats in the rear haunches, an active diffuser and the spoiler is 60 mm longer and 30 mm higher.
As a result, the Tour de France is said to generate 230 kg of downforce at 200 km/h, which is 107 kg more than before. The standard front tyres have been widened (now 275 mm) and a rear-wheel steering system, called Virtual Short Wheelbase, makes its debut on a Prancing Horse. The system automatically adjusts the angle of the rear wheels depending on steering wheel angle, speed of steering inputs and vehicle speed.
The outputs of the shrieking naturally aspirated 6,3-litre V12 have been improved too. Whereas the standard car produces 545 kW and and 690 N.m of torque, the F12tdf benefits from the addition of race-spec tappets and variable geometry intake trumpets to produce 574 kW at 8 500 r/min (redline at 8 900 r/min) as well as 705 N.m.
The Maranello-based manufacturer claims an optimal zero-to-100 km/h time of 2,9 sec, zero to 200 km/h in 7,9 sec and a top speed in excess of 340 km/h. As for braking power, the Tour de France is equipped with the same one-piece brake calliper setup as fitted to the LaFerrari hypercar, and is said to stop dead from 200 km/h in just 121 m.
Meanwhile, the F12’s lightning-quick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has been revised with upshifts claimed to be 30% and downshifts 40 per cent faster respectively.
The newcomer is said to be capable of lapping Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in 1min21sec, which is only 1,3 sec shy of the LaFerrari.
Given the limited production run, we believe most of these models will be offered to existing Ferrari customers exclusively, but if Scuderia South Africa should choose to reveal a price for this brute, we’ll be sure to let you know.
