Meet the 12Cilindri - Ferrari’s new V12 GT Flagship

V12 Engine

Let’s start with the main reason everybody is excited about the new flagship from Maranello: the multiple award-winning 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12. People feared the 812 Competizione would be the last hurrah for the V12, and rightly so – times are quickly changing. However, Ferrari has decided to keep the engine around for a few more years if you happen to have around £340,000 in the bank – and we are all here for it.

Speaking of the 812 Comp, power remains largely the same, with 819bhp and 500lb ft (678Nm) of torque. That is not all though – the engine also revs up to an astronomical 9,500rpm! There have been a few mechanical changes, however, with the V12 now having lighter titanium conrods and forged pistons. All of this helps to propel the 12Cilindri from 0 to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds and relentlessly push it towards its 217+mph top speed.

These may not sound like revolutionary improvements compared to the previous 812, however Ferrari may have realised that they do not need another 1,000bhp supercar in their roster, and would rather celebrate the rich history of the marque in doing what they do best – making engines. All the power is sent to the rear axle through a brand new eight-speed twin-clutch gearbox with 30 per cent faster shift speeds.

Design

It is time to address the elephant in the room – and I am not talking about the increase in weight compared to the 812, now up to 1,560kg dry. Add another 100kg of fluids, and the car should weigh around 1,650kg ready to go. The design of the 12Cilindri has caused a major stir all over the internet, dividing the automotive world with polarising opinions. For some background, the 12Cilindri takes inspiration from the 365 GTB/4 Daytona coupé, with the prominent black strip connecting both headlights.

Flavio Manzoni has adamantly said that the strip will remain black, no matter the spec – which has caused even more controversy. The headlights also look like a modern take on the 365, with the daytime running lights extending further than the front bumper. If you can get past the front of the car – which I am still not sure about – the lines on the side profile of the 12C have been cleaned up and straightened out.

The best angle from the press shots, in my opinion, is the top view, with a prominent tinted glass roof as standard on all coupé models. The body-coloured bridge between the left and right side is also beautiful, adding some much-needed unique design details. For the first time on a front-mid-mounted V12 Ferrari, the 12Cilindri has active aero on the rear of the car – but not where you expect.

Instead of having a rear spoiler integrated into the bodywork, there are two independent panels on both sides of the boot. They extend out above speeds of 60mph to add rear stability and downforce, keeping in mind this car is only rear-wheel drive. The tail lights have also had a rework, now being squished into four independent bars. The prominent circular exhausts of the 812 are now square, but I think that round pipes would look better here.

Interior

The interior has also had a rework, taking elements from the Purosangue by having two independent zones for the driver and passenger. The analogue rev counter has now been replaced by a fully digital driver’s display. The passenger gets a display of their own – for music controls and watching as the numbers on the speedo climb to stratospheric digits.

There is a new 10.25-inch central display below the air-conditioning vents, and unfortunately all tactile ventilation controls have now been moved into a menu on this screen – another controversial change. The H-pad selector for the gearbox also returns, with a nod to the manual gearboxes of the past. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard, both wireless – a thoughtful change from the Purosangue, where it was only offered as a wired option.

Ferrari 12Cilindri - A Spider from launch?

Just when you thought Ferrari had used up all of their ‘for the first time in a long time’ tokens, Ferrari has launched the 12Cilindri Spider alongside the coupé – for the first time since the 275 GTB and GTS back in 1964. For an extra £40,000 over the coupé, Ferrari offers a folding hardtop which can stow in just 14 seconds to allow the driver to enjoy the symphonic V12 soundtrack. In spite of the modified bodywork and folding roof mechanism, dry weight only increases by 60kg over the coupé to 1,620kg.

So, now that we have dissected the new V12, I am left with a sense of confusion. From the spy shots and early pictures floating around on the internet, I was sure this would have been a one-off series for a lucky customer paying homage to the 365 GTB/4. However, this is a series production vehicle without a limit to the number of cars being made.

It may also be a case of Ferrari trying something radical, which is not met with positivity at first but becomes the industry norm a few years down the line. All we know is, the V12 is back in action for a few more years – especially with Aston Martin also announcing a twin-turbo V12 in the new Vanquish – and we are as excited as ever! The only question remaining is: which Italian V12 supercar would you pick – the Ferrari 12Cilindri or the Lamborghini Revuelto?

Specifications: Ferrari 12Cilindri Coupe [Spider]

Engine: 6.5 litre dry-sump V12
Max power: 819 bhp at 9,250 rpm
Max torque: 500 lb ft (678 nm) at 7,250 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed twin-clutch automatic
0 - 62 mph: 2.9 s [2.95 s]
0 - 124 mph: under 7.9 s [8.2 s]
Top speed: Over 217 mph
Dry weight: 1,560 kg [1,620 kg]
On sale in the UK: Early 2025
Expected starting prices: from £340,000 [from £373,000]