The fastest Ferrari ever was unveiled today – with a blistering price to match.
The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has a top speed of 212miles per hour but it’s the rocket like acceleration which is drawing gasps ahead of its official launch at next week’s Geneva Motor Show when it goes on sale.
The scintillating two-seater roars from rest to 62mph in just 3.1 seconds – shaving 0.6 seconds off the car it replaces, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. And the Italian supercar will hit 124mph in just 8.5 seconds, compared to 11 seconds for its predecessor.
Top speed of 212mph is also faster than the 599’s 205mph.Ferrari said boldly: ‘This is the fastest Ferrari ever built.’
But that sort of performance also commands a powerful price – with the production cars costing £250,000.
The new car is finished in a new Ferrari red ‘Rosso Berlinetta’ three-layer colour.
Only the Ferrari Enzo of 2002 which sold originally for £365,000 but can now command up to £1m has a faster absolute speed – of 217.5mph, But it could not accelerate as fast as the new car. By comparison, the Enzo could manage 0 to 62mph in ‘only’ 3.65 seconds.
One thing about a Ferrari, it’s able to make a fast turn, and apparently that applies to the Italian automaker itself, which has delivered a surprise today, announcing that its newest supercar will be named the Ferrari F12, rather than the 620 as widely reported.
One key detail hasn’t changed, however: the new super GT will be the fastest and most powerful automobile ever to wear the prancing pony badge. Its 6.3-liter V12 will be able to launch the Ferrari F12 from 0 to 60 in about 3 seconds – with a top speed of more than 310 mph.
The replacement for the Ferrari 599 will land in an increasingly crowded supercar market that will feature the likes of the new McLaren MP4-12C and the Lamborghini Aventador, so the opportunity to deliver anything but extreme performance will be minimal.
Of course, Ferrari will also put a premium on luscious Italian styling, an advantage it figures it can leverage over the incredibly competent McLaren. But form, here, is also supposed to enhance function. And the new F12 will feature a new concept dubbed Aero Bridge that generates additional downforce by funneling air flowing over the hood to its flank.
Then there’s the Active Brake Cooling system, which uses active vanes to guide air, when needed, through ducts to improve brake performance.
