Ferrari F12, The Perfect Combination

The Italian brand released the Ferrari F12 in 2012, a natural replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano. It is a car designed for anyone who likes the performance of a 488 GTB but wants an extra point of ride comfort, space and luxury in the cabin.

Ferrari has always had two types of models in its ranks: the purely performance ones, such as the 488 GTB and those that also add a touch of comfort typical of a grand tourer, such as this F12 or the GTCLusso.

Not to satisfy that function, they have spared nothing that has to do with performance or driving dynamics, on the contrary, they have put all the meat on the grill, but they have also been very generous with everything related to interior comfort.  We can see this philosophy in a less radical dashboard than that of the 488 GTB and some very careful materials.

Design

The main protagonist of the Ferrari F12 is the nose. Seen in profile you can see the aerodynamic work that the brand of the horse has done in this model. The front end is now bigger and taller than on a 488 GTB, and the bonnet has been refined in the wind tunnel to generate more downforce, thus improving front end grip.

The side lines of the car are also much less radical than on the 488 GTB, the lines are more rounded and, although the wheel arches are very marked, the higher height of the vehicle detracts from a bit of a sporty image.

The rear, with its clean, flowing lines, is a beauty. Accompanied by four huge tailpipes, the overall design of the rear body piece is a success, with original lines that run down to the rear diffuser.

Inside

Italians have worked hard to improve the interior space of the occupants. The Ferrari F12 is not only a sports car with which to have fun on a curvy road, but they have wanted to give it road qualities to face long trips in comfort.

With the increase in space in the cabin, the occupants will be able to accommodate even if they are tall, thanks to the fact that the settings are very wide and the seats are a delight, both for support and comfort.

The Italian brand has thrown the house out the window with the materials used in the interior. Few vehicles today come close to the quality of materials and trim that this F12 has. That is a clear example of the philosophy that this Ferrari pursues.

The dashboard does not have the typical multifunction display, since everything is located in the instrument panel that goes behind the steering wheel. Everything about this Ferrari F12 is geared towards the driver.

Dynamic

Compared to the 599 GTB, Ferrari has managed to reduce the center of gravity by 25 millimeters. To do this, it has lowered the position of the engine, the dashboard and the seats, giving a more sporty driving sensation and improving cornering.

The Ferrari F12 is narrower, lower and shorter than the 599, and different types of aluminum have been used never before used in the automotive sector that reduce the weight compared to its predecessor by 70 kilograms.

The cornering has been significantly improved and the weight distribution between the two axles is better resolved, together with an aerodynamic load that better balances the car, maintaining a passage through heart attack fast curves.

The braking system has also been improved and new features have been introduced in their cooling. Thanks to all the new innovations, they manage to go from 200 km / h to 0 in 131 meters, seven less than the 599.

Motor

We finally get to the soul of this Ferrari F12, its expected 6,262-cubic-centimeter V12. Every time the brand has released a V12, it has generated great expectation among the public, and with this block it has not been an exception. It delivers no less than 741 hp of power, data within the reach of very few supercars.

The purist of the brand is attracted to these types of engines like bears to honey. The sensations that such a heart evokes cannot be described in words. The exhaust sound is characteristic of a V12, and 80% of the torque is delivered at just 2500 rpm, with a whopping 690 Nm.

With these ingredients no one is surprised that it can go from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.1 seconds and what is more impressive, from 0 to 200 km / h in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is 340 km / h, 10 km / h more than the aerodynamic 488 GTB. The numbers speak for themselves.

Ferrari F12 price

This is when the vast majority of us bow our heads, since the € 309,437 makes it a whim with capital letters. Its more direct competitors, such as the Aston Martin DB9 or the Porsche 911, are more affordable, but they do not put as many arguments on the table as this Ferrari F12. Although the Aston also has a V12, it delivers only 517 hp and the Porsche that comes close in engine. In addition, the GT2, completely neglects the comfort of the occupants.

conclusion

There are not many real alternatives that meet the requirements of this Ferrari F12. It does not get the benefits of a Lamborghini Aventador, but it stays very close and with a much higher level of comfort.

If your economy can support it and you want a V12 above all else, few are going to make you smile as much as the Ferrari, but if what you are looking for is to do rounds on the circuit and feel the asphalt as in a race car, there are better alternatives and much, much cheaper.