Ferrari F12
The Ferrari F12berlinetta is a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. The F12berlinetta debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and replaced the 599 grand tourer. The naturally aspirated 6.3 litre Ferrari V12 engine used in the F12berlinetta won the 2013 International Engine of the Year Award in the Best Performance category and Best Engine above 4.0 litres. The F12berlinetta was named "The Supercar of the Year 2012" by car magazine Top Gear. The F12berlinetta was replaced by the 812 Superfast in early 2017.
In 2014, the F12berlinetta was awarded the XXIII Premio Compasso d'Oro ADI. Accepting the award was Ferrari's Senior Vice President of Design, Flavio Manzoni.
Specifications
Engine
The F12berlinetta uses a, naturally aspirated 65° V12 engine of the Ferrari F140 engine family. Displacement is shared with the FF, but the F140 FC version installed on the F12 generates a power output of at 8,250 rpm and of torque at 6,000 rpm, making it the most powerful Ferrari road car ever when it was launched.The engine in the F12berlinetta has been designed to be more efficient than that of the 599, as well as more powerful. The engine management system is fitted with Ferrari's HELE start-stop system to reduce fuel consumption when idling. Ferrari reports that the F12berlinetta can achieve – a 30% improvement over the 599 – and produces CO2 emissions of 350 g/km.
Transmission
Similar to the California, 458 Italia, FF and LaFerrari, the F12berlinetta transmits power through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox operated by the driver using paddle shifters present behind the steering wheel. Compared to similar models, the F12berlinetta uses shortened gear ratios to match the power of the engine.Chassis
The F12berlinetta is built around an aluminium space frame chassis co-developed with Scaglietti. The chassis is made up of 12 different aluminium alloys and improves structural rigidity by 20% over the 599, whilst reducing weight by. The centre of gravity has also been lowered by around. The F12berlinetta's weight distribution is 48% front, 52% rear.Similar to other contemporary Ferrari models, the F12berlinetta uses Ferrari's third generation CCM3 carbon ceramic disc brakes with ABS, SCM-E magnetorheological suspension, an electronic LSD, ESP Premium stability control and F1-Trac traction control system. The car's stability and traction control, suspension and other settings are controlled by the Manettino dial mounted on the steering wheel.
Tyres
The F12berlinetta is fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, with the tyre codes 255/35 ZR20 at the front and 315/35 ZR20 at the rear.Aerodynamics
The F12berlinetta makes use of aerodynamic techniques based on Ferrari's 599XX and Formula One programmes, developed with wind tunnel and CFD testing. A notable feature is the Aero Bridge, an air channel running from the bonnet, through the flanks and along the sides of the vehicle, creating an effect that increases downforce. Another feature is Active Brake Cooling ducts, which open to direct cooling air only when the brakes are hot, keeping them closed at other times to reduce aerodynamic drag. The F12berlinetta produces of downforce at – an increase of 76% over the 599 GTB – and has a drag coefficient of 0.299.Performance
Ferrari reports that the F12berlinetta is capable of lapping the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute, 23 seconds; three seconds slower than the LaFerrari, a full second faster than the 599 GTO, two seconds faster than the Enzo Ferrari, two seconds faster than the 458 Italia, three seconds faster than the 430 Scuderia and three and a half seconds faster than the 599 GTB.Ferrari claims acceleration times for the F12berlinetta of 0 to in 3.1 seconds, 0 to in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of.
Design
The body of the F12berlinetta is designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina, and shares some styling elements with other recent Ferrari models. This includes a front grille similar to the FF and headlights shared with the FF and 458 Italia. The interior, based on the FF, features new "Frau leather" upholstery with aluminium, Alutex, and carbon fibre trim, and has increased luggage space compared to the 599.The body computer system is developed by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting.
F12tdf (2015–2017)
The Ferrari F12tdf is a track-focused version of the F12berlinetta unveiled in October 2015. The name pays homage to the Tour de France automobile race held between 1899 and 1986 and which was regularly won by the Ferrari 250 between 1956 and 1964. The F12tdf shares the same 6.3 litre V12 engine with the F12berlinetta, but with power output increased to at 8500 rpm and of torque at 6750 rpm. The F12tdf is lighter than the F12, having a claimed dry weight of and kerb weight of. Ferrari claims an acceleration time for the F12tdf of 0 to in 2.9 seconds and 0 to in 7.9 seconds. The top speed was claimed to be 'in excess of '. The car has recorded a 1-minute 21 seconds lap time on Ferrari's Fiorano test circuit, 2 seconds faster than the standard F12berlinetta and 488 GTB, and just 1.3 seconds behind the fastest lap set by the LaFerrari. F12tdf was designed by Ferrari Styling Centre. Production of the F12tdf was limited to 799 units.One-offs and special editions
F12 TRS
The Ferrari F12 TRS is a barchetta based on the F12berlinetta, made for a customer by Ferrari under its Special Projects programme. It made its public debut in Sicily at the Ferrari Cavalcade in June 2014. Designed in-house by the Centro Stile Ferrari headed by Flavio Manzoni, it took inspiration from the 1957 250 Testa Rossa, reinterpreted in a modern design language. The car has a Barchetta bodystyle, harking back to the original Testarossa. A redesigned rear section also recalls the styling of the Testarossa in a modern fashion. The front of the car features a redesigned front bumper and a new engine cover with a glass panel displaying the V12 engine's cylinder heads. The F12 TRS also made an appearance at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed.In November 2014, a second F12 TRS was spotted testing at Circuito Monteblanco in Spain, painted in black, while the red version was displayed again in January 2015 at the Festival Automobile International in Paris.
The black F12 TRS was seen again, this time in Rome at the Ferrari Cavalcade in June 2015, now finished in liquid silver paintwork and featuring a redesigned front bumper, headlights, mirrors and rear diffuser.
The red F12 TRS was spotted again in Corsica in 2016 now featuring the same redesigned body as the liquid silver version. Only two of these cars were produced and both were commissioned by the same customer.