Ferrari F12 Berlinetta-A V12 Pure Blood
F12 Berlinetta has 740 hp.
This is the quickest Ferrari on the street, so hold on tight!
The earth is trembling. The bright morning light, round, and orange, returns to its position beyond the parapet; the trees and skyline droop, and nothing remains the same. This distorted view is not a reflection of the effect the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has had on the world but rather the consequence of driving it cautiously and deliberately around the classic Monza banked circuit.
Not a location for high-speed driving. This is not because it is exceptionally early in the morning, and the park where the circuit is located is silent save for the sounds of joggers and squirrels. It is also because flora is gradually reclaiming the asphalt. I do not doubt that the V12 engine's symphony will satisfy anybody who hears it, nor that the vehicle can manage these steeply sloping, vegetation-filled planes at high speeds.
We did not select to visit only because Monza is a prominent location or because this pilgrimage site is 90 years old. Instead, we are here because of its specific significance in the history of racing, dating back to 1960, a very significant year to the spirit of Berlinette. Phill Hill, an American driver, was the last man to win a Grand Prix with a front-engined vehicle.
That was a Ferrari — 246 F1. In its third year of racing, it was overtaken by the surge of mid-engined (mainly British) cars that were quicker around the bends. According to legend, Monza redesigned the outside portion of the course to make it more open, quicker, and more in line with Ferrari's style so that Enzo could win his home Grand Prix.
Ferrari took the first three positions in the race, but the following season arrived with a mid-engined chassis, forcing Ferrari to confirm. Things were never like that with street vehicles. Consider the F12. There are still front-engined vehicles competing on the same playing field, such as the two Aston Martins, the One-77, and the DBS, but nothing comes close to the F12. Its price and performance place it in direct competition with mid-engined cars, just as it did 52 years ago. And everyone knows what happened next.
Yes, I know that the F12 Berlinetta seems quiet and unremarkable, but do not forget that it is Ferrari's quickest street vehicle ever. More rapid than the F40. The ability to outpace the 599 GTO. Even faster than an Enzo. Given its 740 horsepower and dual-clutch transmission, such straight-line performance was anticipated. The manufacturer claims a maximum speed of 340 kilometers per hour, a hundredth in 3.1 seconds, and two hundredths in 8.5 seconds. It is thus quicker than the McLaren F1, not far behind the Pagani Huayra, and roughly comparable to the Lamborghini Aventador.
But it has no significance. The F12's performance on the Fiorano circuit was the aspect of the previous day's presentation that most astonished me. It is quicker than an F40 (1:29:6), an Enzo (1:24:9), and a 599 GTO at 1:23:00. (1:24:0). Here we have a front-engined supercar, one of the dwindling few that still has a naturally aspirated engine and sends power only to the rear wheels.
From above, behind the rusting bumper, it seems diminutive. This is often achieved by installing large wheels, and the F12 is equipped with 20-inch rims. However, my vision is not deceiving me: the Berlinetta is smaller than the 599 GTB, and its profile is more reminiscent of the 550. Long and curved, the bonnet remains the distinctive characteristic, pulling the attention with its length. Which… were not designed by the department of design. Typically, designers sketch and aerodynamics experts adjust, but at Ferrari, the two departments have collaborated from the beginning. The final product is an automobile with an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.299 Cd and an attractive appearance.
Ferrari argues that the F12 is a sports vehicle rather than a GT, yet this assertion presumes that the Berlinetta is both practical and capable of daily usage. Because of this, it features a hatchback and a 320-liter trunk that extends to 500 liters with enough access. Not so with the inside, where you must adapt to the seats rather than the other way around. Except for the air vents, the dashboard is highly familiar, which proved beneficial when we left Milan at 4:00 a.m. I took it slow on the way to Monza, partially because I wanted to test whether the F12 understood how to ride quietly and take care of me (it does), but also because I couldn't stop thinking about this simple equation: 740 horsepower + rear-wheel drive =…
Even though I was equipped with 315/35 rear tires, the F12 was precisely what the developers had promised: an easy-to-drive vehicle. In the case of the 599, only skilled drivers could get the most out of it. Therefore the Berlinetta was designed to provide the Ferrari experience without the unwelcome element of terror. The engine's greatest marvel is not its 740 horsepower but rather the ease with which it can distribute power to the back wheels.
During the engine briefing, I was required to attend yesterday (together with seven Ferrari employees), numerous topics were discussed. Still, one remained with me: the reaction time to achieve 90% of the full throttle as long as you maintain a maximum engine speed of 2,000 rpm, while in fifth gear, you will get almost all of your torque in less than 0.7 seconds.
As I discovered as soon as I reached the highway, this engine is a work of art that practically justifies the car's exorbitant price tag on its own; it's so fantastic that using it seems like a luxury. In Bergamo, we refuel (half the tank has been depleted in the last 240 kilometers) and go to Passo di San Marco. After ascending 2,000 meters in height, we reach the summit, where we join the few visitors who have come to admire the view: this automobile in such a setting — it doesn't get much better than this. I consider the work that went into the F12 Berlinetta, the years of development that resulted in a vehicle 70kg lighter than its predecessor, with a weight distribution toward the rear despite the front engine (46:54) and a center of gravity a hair higher than the 458. All of these accomplishments are now within my reach. It's a very, very pleasant sensation.
The roll is 30 percent less than the 599, which was criticized for being overly rigid, and has a 30 percent stiffer frame, stiffer steering, and faster responses. This seems like the perfect formula for a vehicle that will throw me off the road if I dare to glance at the manettino sideways. The F12, on the other hand, is a 740-horsepower vehicle that can be driven aggressively on winding roads.
It all depends on how exactly and meticulously it has been refined. As with the engine, Ferrari has determined that it is preferable to provide precise input via the steering, brakes, and chassis and let the driver work out the rest. It ought to be terrifying to wrestle 689Nm out of a hairpin without a parapet with steering that a few hours ago looked a little clumsy but is now second nature. I prefer a little more resistance from the steering, but I respect Ferrari's stance: they didn't want the F12 to be a challenge for drivers but rather to provide thrills at any time, any place. And it does so magnificently. Touch the Brembo carb-ceramic brake pedals, and they'll bite you — another component that makes you feel like you're in a vehicle with no other parts.
Then, I'm free to employ considerably more of the V12 engine's power than I believed conceivable, enjoying how the muzzle exits each corner precisely positioned. Traction is excellent, and the electronics responsible for it do not make their presence known, allowing me to fill my thoughts with beautiful recollections.
And yet, the front-engined Ferrari is not as alive and exhilarating as a vehicle with the engine situated in the middle; you must sit higher to see over an engine mounted closer to your feet than your ears. It is a unique kind of supercar. An automobile that can be used daily comes with a seven-year maintenance package (for real), can absorb great miles without difficulty, and is conversation-friendly. They may have lost popularity in Formula 1, but they have a promising future with Ferrari on the street.
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