The new 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, the new 599 successor, will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The new front-engined V12 supercar from Maranello will be revealed in a glitzy three-layer Rosso Berlinetta paint colour.
The F12 Berlinetta is the most powerful road car ever produced by the Italians with the 6262cc V12 deploying 730bhp at 8500rpm and 509lb ft at 6000rpm. In terms of its actual speed, Maranello quotes ‘over 340kph’ reaching 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds but Ferrari is making great claims over the dynamics too calling it a ‘mid-front-engined sports car’, with the V12 mounted far back under the bonnet for more neutral handling.
The packaging of the vehicle is as interesting as it styling at 4618mm long, it’s shorter than the Ferrari 599 it replaces, with a stubbier wheelbase and the gearbox slung out back in a traditional transaxle. The engine, dashboard and seats are all lower to reduce the centre of gravity.
Long-time technical and design partner Scaglietti assisted in designing the aluminium spaceframe chassis and bodyshell using a dozen different types of alloy to cut weight by 70kg. Weighing in at 1525kg, with no fluids, Ferrari claims the structure is 20% more rigid, despite being lighter and no need for composites, says Maranello.
Active aero plays a major part in F12′s appearance. Something called the Aero Bridge at the nose generates downforce at the front by channelling air away from the top of the lid and along the flanks where it hits turbulent air from the wheels to decrease drag. Active brake cooling ducts open only at high temperatures to cool the carbon discs, minimising drag by remaining flush for most of the time.
This 6.2-litre V12 has its banks set at 65deg. It’s naturally aspirated – no downsizing here – yet 80% of that 509lb ft torque spike is available from 2500rpm. A twin-clutch F1 transmission promises quick gear changes and clever calibration brings a 30% cut in fuel consumption to around 18mpg, while Ferrari claims 350g/km of CO2.
While no price has been set yet it is expected to be priced somewhere between the GTB and GTO at an estimated £250,000.
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