Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2012: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Ferrari 599 successor revealed; Ferrari F12 Berlinetta hits 62mph in just 3.1sec, 0-124mph in 8.5sec

Ferrari took deposits on around 360 new F12 Berlinettas ahead of the car's official unveiling at the Geneva motor show, CEO Amedeo Felisa has told Autocar.

Prior to its unveiling the new car was shown during a week-long event of customer previews. Around 450 customers have seen the car so far, with 80 per cent placing orders immediately according to Felisa.

"The interest is strong, and the conversion rate in such a short space of time very encouraging," said Felisa. "The next job is to convince the remaining 20 per cent and show the car to more potential customers."

The F12 Berlinetta is the fastest and most powerful road car in the Prancing Horse’s illustrious history. The 730bhp 6.3-litre V12-powered Ferrari 599 replacement ushers in a new generation of V12 engines that will include an all-new Enzo by the end of the year.

The F12 Berlinetta can crack 0-62mph in just 3.1sec and 0-124mph in just 8.5sec. Its total torque output is 509lb ft, 80 per cent of which is available from 2500rpm. The normally aspirated V12 revs all the way 8700rpm.

It was originally thought to be called the Ferrari 620GT, but the official name references classic Ferraris including the 250 GT Berlinetta.

Ferrari also claims the new car has lapped its Fiorano test track in 1m 23s, which makes it the fastest Ferrari road car ever to have lapped the circuit. Its maximum speed is claimed to be “over 211mph”.

The engine, which has a specific output of 116bhp/litre in the F12, is based on the same 6262cc 65 degree V12 found in the Ferrari FF. But the F12 produces 80bhp and 5lb ft more than the FF, and its power and torque outputs also eclipse those of the 612bhp, 448lb ft 6.0-litre V12 found in the 599.

While the power has increased dramatically in the F12 over the 599, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have decreased at a similar rate. Fuel economy is claimed to have been improved over the 599’s 15.8mpg combined figure to 18.8mpg, and CO2 emissions have dropped from 415g/km to 350g/km. Both these figures are with the optional stop-start system fitted.

Ferrari has extensively repackaged the rear-drive F12 over the 599 to cope with the extra performance. At 4618mm long, 1942mm wide and 1273mm high, the F12 is 47mm shorter, 20mm narrower and 63mm lower than the 599. The wheelbase is also 30mm shorter than the 599’s 2720mm.

Most of the changes have occurred at the rear, where the transaxle F1-style dual-clutch gearbox and rear suspension are repackaged to reduce the volume at the rear. The engine, seats and dashboard are also lower, with the centre of gravity lower and further back than in the 599. The F12’s weight distribution is now an “ideal’ 46/54 front/rear, compared to 47/53 in the 599.

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The F12 uses an all-new aluminium spaceframe chassis and bodyshell, which boasts 12 different kinds of alloys. The result, claims Ferrari, is a 20 per cent greater structural increase over the 599 and a dry weight of 1525kg, some 70kg less than the 599

Ferrari is also highlighting the aerodynamic qualities of the Pininfarina and Ferrari Styling Centre-styled F12. The XX programme has been used to both increase the F12’s downforce over the 599 (which is 76 per cent greater) and cuts its drag coefficient to 0.299.

Several clever aerodynamic aids are used to achieve this. One is the new ‘Aero Bridge’, which channels air from the side bonnet air intakes, through the wheel arches, and then spits it out through the sculpted deep swage lines in the side doors. This significantly decreases drag and better controls turbulent airflow.

Another new aerodynamic aid is Active Brake Cooling, which only opens the brake cooling ducts when the carbon ceramic brakes are hot enough.

A whole host of electronic aids are offered as standard on the F12. It gets Ferrari’s E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac and high-performance ABS systems as standard, alongside the latest evolution Ferrari’s magnetorheological suspension system (SCM-E). Ferrari also claims to have reduced steering angles.

Ferrari claims to have increased rear luggage capacity thanks to making the space behind the two seats accessible from the hinged glass tailgate. The Frau leather interior also gets a lightweight dashboard and lashings of carbonfibre and aluminium trim, with air vents inspired by the aeronautic field.

The F12 will also adopt the ‘Human Machine Interface’ interior control system of the Ferrari 458 and FF, which places almost all major controls on the steering wheel.

Pricing of the F12 has yet to be revealed, but it is expected upwards of £250,000. Work on right-hand drive examples is expected to be available in early 2013.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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Marv 30 March 2012

Re: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed

I think the 458, FF and F12 all make the California look like a previous generation Ferrari already. The F12 looks stunning. Watch the Launch video, it sounds amazing; would love to see and hear it in the flesh.
curious_insider 9 March 2012

Re: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed

[quote curious_insider]

I make no claim for spotting this likeness to the back end of the F12, but there is some truth in it.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forums/data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSU...
curious_insider 9 March 2012

Re: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed

I make no claim for spotting this likeness to the back end of the F12, but there is some truth in it.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forums/data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSU...