First Drive: Ferrari’s new 12Cilindri is a sonorous celebration of the V12 engine
By James Baggott, PA motoring
What is it?
In an age when every other new car arrival heralds the birth of yet another electric or hybrid model, Ferrari’s glorious new V12 is a welcome breath of fresh air for petrol heads.
The Italian car maker claims to be the last one producing a naturally aspirated,V12 engine – and this is the firm’s breath-taking 830bhp new addition:The 12Cilindri.You’ll need to brush up on your Italian to say it properly, though. It’s pronounced:‘Doe-dee-chi Chill-endree’. In the words of the manufacturer’s famous founder, Enzo Ferrari, the 12-cylinder Ferrari will always be the ‘original’ and the carmaker has vowed to continue developing the legendary unit for as long as it’s allowed.
What’s new?
Ferrari says everything has been refreshed when compared to the 812 Superfast that this model replaces. Some four years in the making, the 12Cilindri is slightly heavier than the 812 – around 35kg to be exact – but that’s down to a lack of carbon seats, bigger 21-inch wheels and tyres, active aerodynamics and a powered rear boot (among other things). Previously, the V12 of the Ferrari range was designed to be the pinnacle, but that crown now resides with the SF90, so designers were given the opportunity to dial down some of the outright madness.That doesn’t mean this is anything less than furious to drive, but it does mean it can still behave as a comfortable GT car too.
What’s under the bonnet?
The spectacular 6.5-litre V12 is as tuneful as you’d hope. Ferrari calls it a ‘hallmark howl’ and as the revs rise to a heady 9,250rpm, it’s a symphonic cacophony that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. With 830bhp to play with, the 12Cilindri can hit 60mph in around 2.7 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 211mph. It’s brutally quick and drivers can dial in and out the anger with different settings, accessed by a dial on the steering wheel. In ‘Race’ mode with the suspension set to comfort, it’s close to perfect. Some 80 per cent of the 678Nm of torque available is delivered at just 2,500rpm which equates to plenty of punch in the mid-range.The dual-clutch, eight-speed gearbox (that eighth gear is a new addition to this model) rapidly fires through cogs with savagery. So much so that on some occasions the shunt through the transmission is stark.
What’s it like to drive?
What I love about this car is its breadth of character.When you want it to be a sedate, cruising companion it’s comfortable and easy to drive.Around town, the visibility is surprisingly good and while it looks huge on the outside, when you’re in the cockpit it feels manageable and is easy to place on the road.
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