Challenging current trends and regulations, Ferrari has just presented a purely gasoline model with a 12-cylinder V engine, in the midst of global vehicle electrification.
The 12-cylinder, as the new model is called, was presented in the city of Miami, in the United States, in advance of the Formula 1 Grand Prix that will be held this weekend.
The appearance of this model not only constitutes an important novelty because it is a new Ferrari, but also bursts with a mechanic that has a special meaning for the company and that becomes more relevant in this era of transformation towards electromobility, to which the house of Maranello is not exempt. In fact, he has patented a 6-cylinder hydrogen engine.
According to the brand, there is a common thread that has made the most passionate about the sport fall in love with it. prancing Horse with each version presented since its origin: it is the naturally aspirated V12 engine mounted in front of the passenger compartment, the first Ferrari engine to pass through the doors of the Maranello factory, in 1947.
The launch of the 12Cilindri is also taken as a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the brand’s presence in the United States. With prices of $423,000 for the coupe and 466.000 For the convertible, it is expected to be a success beyond those values.
Ferrari kicked the board
Even though it is taking a little longer in our lands, the electrification of the automotive industry is not a story. And even Ferrari itself lives it: during 2023, more than half of its sales around the world corresponded to hybrid models.
That is why this 12-cylinder comes to break with so much political correctness, which in the end is a good sales argument currently, but which leaves out many millionaire purists who still prefer exclusively gasoline engines.
Attentive to that group, the Italian brand returned to the sources for the configuration of its new engine: 12 cylinders in V, 6.5 liters and without any type of electrical assistance and with natural aspiration, that is, it is not overpowered by turbo.
In its press release, Ferrari details that it is a new version of the iconic Maranello naturally aspirated V12. It has a displacement of 6,496 cm³, the V that the engine draws is arranged at 65° and the updates made allow it to deliver maximum power almost at the limit of its rotation speed. It is capable of reaching 9,500 rpm, while the 830 HP is delivered at 9,250 rpm. Its torque is 678 Nm, at 7,250 rpm.
That power is transmitted to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (a version with a manual transmission would have made it even more purist).
With this mechanical configuration the 12Cilindri can accelerate 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in less than 7.9 seconds. The maximum speed is more than 340 km/h.
Ferrari developed a new electronic dynamics manager so that the 12-cylinder is at the forefront within the brand’s range in this regard; It is called Side Slip Control 8.0 (SSC) and it combines all the electronic assistance so that the behavior of this sports car is as effective as possible in any scenario, including a track.
It also includes an independent four-wheel steering system, which is derived from the 812 Competizione model and is capable of adjusting the movement of each wheel independently of the others to optimize cornering speed and responsiveness when changing direction.
The style also honors the past
The style of the 12-cylinder is another work of the Centro Stile Ferrari commanded by Flavio Manzoni. The source of inspiration has been other historical Gran Turismos from the 50s and 60s, in case it needed to be clarified.
In any case, it appears like a modern car, with soft lines but with a prominent, long hood reminiscent of the 365 GTB Daytonafrom which in some way he also copies the mask on the edge of the trunk.
The rear part, on the other hand, does look more avant-garde with a larger glazed shape and very particular shapes. In any case, the result is a GT with classic proportions and a relatively smaller size than usual for this type of car by current standards.
It measures 4.73 meters long, 1.29 meters high and is very wide, with a total of 2.17 meters. The wheelbase is 2.7 meters and the total weight reaches 1,560 kg with a distribution that borders on perfection: 48.4% at the front and 51.6% at the rear.