The 789bhp Ferrari 812 Superfast is one of the most powerful and fastest production cars the Italian manufacturer has ever built. Here is what you need to know about the new 12-cylinder F12 Berlinetta replacement.
If you like Ferraris, you should probably get comfortable. The 12-cylinder Berlinetta’s successor will be unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. It is called the 812 Superfast and will almost certainly live up to its name, as you will now find out.
1) It makes lots of horsepower
Replacing a car like the F12 Berlinetta is no easy task, but then the 6.5-litre V12 develops a frankly silly 789bhp – almost as silly as its name. Not only does that make it 60bhp more powerful than the F12’s 6.3-litre engine, it is Ferrari’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever.
2) It will probably be superfast
If you call a car ‘superfast’, it probably should be. So it is reassuring to know the front-engined Ferrari 812 Superfast can hit 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. 530lb/ft (718Nm) of torque is available from 7,000rpm, with 80 per cent arriving from just 3,500rpm. Fast enough for you?
3) The top speed is three times the motorway speed limit
As for the top speed, Ferrari says it is >340kmh, which translates to at least 211mph. In theory that could be 240mph or 212mph – there is only one way to really find out and it involves a very long runway or the German Autobahn.
4) It uses Formula One ideas
Increasing the power output of the 12-cylinder monster was done in part by using a 350-bar direct injection system, which is paired up to variable geometry intake tracts. Yeah, we have no idea what that means beyond ‘more power’, but we do know it is a Formula One-derived concept.
5) Electronic trickery will (try to) keep you on the road
Taming all those over-excited ponies will be the job of very fat tyres, as well as a few clever systems including the fifth-generation version of Side Slip Control (SSC), which is designed to help you get away with being overly heavy-footed. To a point, anyway.
6) Four-wheel steer has been included
To help it corner better, Ferrari has employed the second-generation version of its Virtual Short Wheelbase system previously seen on the F12tdf. What it does is steer all four wheels, improving stability, responsiveness and turn-in, so you can get around bends even faster.
7) Electronic Power Steering is a first for Ferrari
Another new addition to the Ferrari 812 Superfast is Electric Power Steering (EPS), a first for a Ferrari. The specifics are currently unknown, but we hope it avoids numbing the level of communication between the front wheels and steering wheel as Ferraris are rather good at that.
8) Think evolution, not revolution
Though it looks exciting, the 812 Superfast has a busier design than the F12 Berlinetta. But then some may appreciate the active flaps, new air intakes, quad taillights and revised instrument clusters in the cabin. Meanwhile a new colour, known as Rosse Settanta, will be available to help owners celebrate Ferrari’s 70th birthday.
9) New seats want to improve comfort
Sportier, more ergonomic seats have been added to the cabin for greater comfort, as well as the latest and greatest version of Ferrari’s infotainment system to keep you and your passenger entertained. The air-conditioning system has also been updated to help keep you cool, which is exactly what you want with a fire-breathing V12 just ahead of you.
10) We doubt you can afford one
With the 2017 Geneva Motor Show looming in March, we doubt Ferrari will say anymore until much, much nearer that time. But based on the price of the F12 Berlinetta, we can speculate the 812 Superfast will cost around £250,000 before adding any pricey extras so you should probably start saving now.
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