Signifying a new era for Ferrari’s mid-front-mounted V12s, the Italian marque has unleashed the 12Cilindri, brand-new two-seater inspired by the firm’s gran turismos of old.
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Taking inspiration from Ferrari’s gran turismo cars of the 1950s and ‘60s, the Italian marque’s Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni, and Ferrari Styling Centre design team set out to “radically” transform the stylistic codes of the firm’s previous mid-front-mounted V12s. However, there are several references to the berlinettas of old, such as the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
Inside, the 12Cilindri features a dual-cockpit layout, a design familiar to the Ferrari Roma and Purosangue. The “almost-symmetrical” structure comprises two modules (for the driver and front passenger). In addition, the two-seater introduces the company’s new ‘Human Machine Interface’, which features a trio of displays, with the first (15.6-inch) item sited in front of the driver. A second, 8.8-inch screen is sited fore the front passenger. The main functions are operated via a 10.25-inch touchscreen display. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality is present and relays tunes via a 1 600 W, 15-speaker sound system.
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The 12Cilindri is powered by the Prancing Horse brand’s F140HD engine, a new iteration of Ferrari’s familiar naturally-aspirated V12. The mid-front-mounted petrol unit, which revs to a whopping 9 500 r/min red line, has been tuned to produce 610 kW and 678 N.m, the latter of which is available as soon as the rev needle edges 7 250 r/min. Power is sent exclusively sent to the rear axle via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, Ferrari says the 6.5-litre engine’s “impressive” power curve allows that 80% of torque is already available from 2 500 r/min.
As a result, the 12Cilindri accelerates to the three-figure marker in a claimed 2.9 seconds, completes the 0-200 km/h sprint in “less than” 7.9 seconds and tops out at a maximum speed of “more than” 340 km/h. Stopping power is provided by a set of fore 398 mm and rear 360 mm brakes, housed in 21-inch alloy wheels, which are wrapped in 275/35 front and 315/35 aft tyres.
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Based on an all-aluminium chassis, the 12Cilindri measures 4 733 mm nose to tail, 2 176 mm in width, and 1 292 mm in height. Compared to the 812 Superfast (from which this model has gained several mechanical items), the 12Cilindri’s wheelbase measures 20 mm less (at 2 700 mm). As such, Ferrari says this reduction – along with the 48.4:51.6 weight distribution and four-wheel independent steering – has ensured “optimal” handling and responsiveness. The dry weight comes in at 1 560 kg.
