Ferrari is an Italian company absolutely dripping in history, and the very latest model to roll out of Maranello will look back to the very first. Enter the Ferarri 12Cilindri.
Yes, this gorgeous creature has a 12-cylinder engine. You don’t need to be Sherlock to figure that out, as Ferrari has gone for a name almost as obvious as the Ferrari LaFerrari of 2013.
Don’t call it a coupe, though, that would be a crass French term for this fine Italian art. As Ferrari says, this is a new two-seater berlinetta, aimed directly at dedicated connoisseurs of the brand’s biggest engines.
Stunner
The 12Cilindri rocks its 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 in a front-mid configuration. This layout helps define the lines of the vehicle, with its classic long hood and kicked-back canopy at the rear. Ferrari has done what it does best, taking this classic format to new places while drawing from its heritage all the same. Indeed, the first true Ferrari was a two-seater V12, as the 12Cilindri is today.
The contrasting hood panel and muscular haunches nod to Ferraris past, while the aggressive air dam and futuristic greenhouse are elements from tomorrow.
Perhaps the nicest touch is the clamshell-style design, in which the hood actually serves to top the front fenders. It’s deftly punctuated by the twin vents to cool the engine, the correct number as demonstrated by the legendary Ferarri F40 itself.
The result is one of the greatest-looking Ferraris in recent memory. That’s not to say that Ferrari has been turning out unattractive designs of late, far from it. But the 12Cilindri has a simple appeal that’s easy to understand at a glance. Ferrari tells us it’s inspired by the grand tourers of the 1950s and 1960s, and it’s easy to see the connection.
The mighty F150HD V12 will deliver 830 horsepower on its way to a 9,500 RPM redline. Winding the tacho out that far is exciting enough in a Japanese sports car, let alone a screaming Italian rocketship. As you might imagine, that kind of displacement gets you plenty of grunt down low, with 80% of torque available at just 2,500 RPM. Ferrari says it provides “a feeling of never-ending power all the way to the redline” and I’d say that’s probably a fair statement.
Getting a V12 to spin that fast is no mean feat. Ferrari engineers worked hard to slash the weight and inertia of engine components to support this goal. The engine thus relies on titanium connecting rods, which come in a full 40% lighter than traditional steel parts. A special aluminum alloy was also used to save weight on the pistons. Meanwhile, the valvetrain uses sliding finger followers to save weight and enable a more aggressive valve opening profile. This is a technique that’s sometimes used in high-revving sportbikes, too.
The engine naturally gets a carefully tuned exhaust that delivers the most symphonic exhaust note possible. The V12 is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that was seen on previous models like the SF90 Stradale.
Inside, the 12Cilindri has a “dual-cockpit” design that gives the passenger almost as much to look at as the driver. The main instrument cluster is a 15.6-inch display, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen doing infotainment duty in the center of the dash. There’s a further 8.8-inch display for the passenger, which should “ensure they feel like a genuine co-driver,” according to Ferrari. The Italian automaker has also set up a collaboration with the worst-named audio outfit out there—Burmester. That might sound like an Iowan company you get to restraw your outdoor sofa, but we’re told it’s actually a high-tech German hi-fi outfit. I’m sure the stereo sounds good, anyway.
The real headline feature, though, is the tinted glass roof. It’s a showstopper inside and out, completely transforming the feel inside the cabin. It makes the 12Cilindri look like a step change in terms of design versus the models that came before.
Don’t Need A Reason
Ferrari didn’t have to do this. The Prancing Horse could have found any number of excuses to quietly step away from building big mighty V12s. It could have cited the push towards electrification. It could have cited the virtues of the hybrid turbo V8 in the SF90 Stradale. It could have simply built increasingly wild versions of the 812 Superfast to wind out the clock.
But Ferrari didn’t do that. Because they’re Ferrari. It’s a company that exists beyond normal earthly concerns around spreadsheets and EBITDAs and so much financial noise. Ferrari exists to build amazing works of art, and it can always count on the world to support that.
Ferrari is like that special kid who is so talented that nothing else matters. They’re going to the Olympics, or Carnegie Hall, or some shit. They don’t have to go to school like everyone else, and worry about grades and tests and attendance. They just have to go out there and make magic. Everything else fades in the shadow of that talent.
Ferrari’s talent is building Ferraris, and it does so like nobody else. Sure, other automakers can build fast cars. Faster ones, even. But they’re not red, and they’re not Ferraris. Somehow, some way, that factory in Maranello was consecrated with something special that still blesses the company’s output today.
So here we are in 2024, and there’s a new Ferrari with a new V12. It revs to the moon, and it’s wrapped in some of the most gorgeous bodywork we’ve seen in a long time. You’ll be lucky to see one, let alone drive one—the press release is literally titled “Ferrari 12Cilindri: For the few.” But that doesn’t change what it is; it only adds to the adulation and majesty heaped on the brand with the most famous yellow badge in the world.
The Italians could have sold out at any point and called it a day. Slapped the badge on any old thing and charged a king’s ransom for it. But Ferrari has stuck fast, and all these years later, it’s still delivering. We should all be so lucky they’re still at it.
Image credits: Ferrari
Roadhouse offspring of Aston and Corvette. Nice but too busy. Wouldn’t turn down a free one.
This description explains why I like it. A combination of two of my favorite brands, at least styling-wise.
One reason Ferrari is still putting out cars like this is the driving experience, especially the sound. You won’t get that in an EV, and if they ever are forced to go all EV, then they will lose something from the Ferrari experience. You can launch at breakneck speeds in a Tesla, but with no (or artificial) noise it’s not really the same. This is a big threat to Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, etc., as it takes away one of their distinguishing characteristics, and they all know it.
My first thought when seeing this is that they took the current gen Honda Accord’s headlights and flipped them upside down.
When I win the lottery – make mine a blue Spyder with body-color trim and a bright red interior.
Because I see no reason for these things to be black.
Ferrari design head quoted yesterday as “Ferrari customers will be painting over the black over my dead body” LOL.
I’m sure his familia will miss him.
“Inside, the 12Cilindri has a “dual-cockpit” design that gives the passenger almost as much to look at as the driver. The main instrument cluster is a 15.6-inch display, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen doing infotainment duty in the center of the dash. There’s a further 8.8-inch display for the passenger, which should “ensure they feel like a genuine co-driver,” according to Ferrari.”
Thanks for the interior shots.
On the other hand, I’m pretty sure that I’ll see one in person as soon as they reach the US, but you’re right. I’ll likely never drive it. I’ve still never driven any Ferrari, but I’m not dead yet.
It’s been a long time since I really wanted a Ferrari. But that time has come. This thing is drop dead gorgeous, and now please excuse me while I go rob a bank.
Why rob a bank, when you can just go straight to the prancing horse’s mouth?
Everyone has been fawning over this thing and yes, it’s fantastic that it has an NA V12, but I don’t think it’s a terribly attractive car. It’s got the C8 thing going on with completely disjointed front and back halves, which is made even more obvious because the front is very angular and Daytona-esque, whereas the back half is very rounded and almost bulbous. That’s accentuated because of the way that rounded rear fender just kind of stops at the cut line for the door. The Spider fixes some of the problems, but this is not Ferrari’s best showing, IMO.
The front end, from the black out panel though the hood vents, screams LATE 60s-70s 365 GTB/4 Daytona. This is not a bad thing.
I was just thinking that, and was getting ready to find a photo but you did the work for me! Glad I wasn’t crazy and someone else sees it.
I was looking for a Daytona mention through the entire article, surprised I never saw one. That was the absolute first thing that jumped out at me when looking at this car.
I was thinking the same thing as well. That detail takes it from looking great to looking fabulous.
Nice C7 Corvette there, Maranello.
You & me both, buddy. I’d call it a 2027 C9 Corvette from a mirror universe where the Corvette stayed front-engine.
I feel like this dig has the order backwards. Ferrari has been making front engine coupes like this for ages, and Corvette has been aping Ferrari’s styling for ages. I mean the C8 looks like a Ferrari and a Lambo met in New Jersey and had a kid to try to keep the marriage together.
100%. First few times I saw the newer Corvettes I thought it was a European supercar for abooooooout 0.5 seconds. Next thought was, “Who do they think they’re kidding?”
Yeah, it’s definately american. I have the same feeling when I see them too. BUT, I still like them!
You are probably correct. And, your Jersey analogy is hilarious!
The basic shape is just gorgeous and Spider is even better looking, but I’m not too sure about the black accents. And the lack of physical tachometer is big minus, but anyway this must be gorgeous piece of art to drive and just watch in your driveway.
I’ve once had a ride in an 812 Superfast and after that I’ve had huge soft spot for the modern V12 Ferraris. I’m not sure if there is any road legal engine that sounds better than these!
This is exactly where I’m at with it too. Luckily (if I win the lottery), the car can be ordered in black.
Seeing as it’s Ferrari, I bet you can just get body-colored “trim.”
I live close to Ferrari of Tampa Bay, and get to see quite a few of them, including the 812. I can’t wait to see one of these stunning, beautiful cars.
I usually get my fill at Rides by the River. Last time I skipped out on going to that John Cena showed up, and my son still hasn’t forgiven me for not going. He probably would have just yelled Bing Chilling! anyway so maybe it’s for the best.
The Dunedin Causeway is also good spotting grounds.
Spectacular looks
There is no god. Of any kind. Otherwise we would all drive Ferrari’s.
If we all drove Ferraris then they’d have zero appeal to the oligarchs.
You say that as if it was a bad thing ????
You say that as if it were a bad thing.
“It’s deftly punctuated by the twin vents to cool the engine, the correct number as demonstrated by the legendary Ferarri F40 itself.”
This front engined car has twin vents in the hood for engine cooling, the F40 had two intakes in the hood that were for the cabin HVAC, and they were 10 feet away from where the engine was.
It just felt like you were trying to shoehorn in an F40 reference where one doesn’t belong.
They reminded me of the F40!
Shame the article doesn’t include pictures of the Spider version which IMO looks even better (and I’m someone who almost always prefers Ferraris in Berlinetta form).
Fixed!
Isn’t it massively ugly from the rear? The rest looks good, thought.
And of course that normally aspirated V12…
McLaren: English
Lamborghini: German
Koenigsegg: Swedish
Ferrari: Magic
Corvette C8/Ford GT: American
The bones of the Daytona grandfather can be seen in the nose…
The bones of the Daytona, or the cynical styling feature designed to remind a certain age of Ferrari customer of Miami Vice?
Somehow this is the first time I’m aware of this car. Still processing it in my mind, but a good thing from the get go is that it doesn’t look like an angry origami catfish, so I already like it!
Just gonna let My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult take it from here-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfsbLhptmS4
9500rpm 6.5L V12. What a time to be alive…
Oh hey, a… Moon Pie! What a time to be alive…
Settle down Jasper
He may live in Maranello but probably spends most of his time over in Bologna eating mortadella, tagliatelle, and parm. BTW I looked: the Ferrari website is supersad. Can’t say why, it just is.
Call me crazy, but there’s not much gorgeous about this design. I feel like Italian cars get a hall pass with design
You are crazy
You can’t tell me that front end is what belongs there and that it will age gracefully. Same for that rear deck lid
The rear deck lid for sure will age gracefully, or maybe it’ll be a niche love if I’m just crazy. But I think the sort of insinuation of the body panels being draped over a black glassy frame is really nicely done, especially when you read it as the greenhouse flowing all the way back to the taillights, and I also dig the shape it makes at the rear 3/4 angle. I like the sort of 70s retro futuristic look of the front and the lines of the clamshell bonnet leading back past the front tires, but I’m really curious to see how it looks if the black up front has matching body color. I could be convinced that it could be better, but the oddball choices also can find a lot of love as it ages and I think this one will grow on me the more I see it.
Completely agree on both counts. It’s a very disjointed affair but everyone loses their shit because they think Ferrari automatically = design perfection despite that not really ever being the case.
I think the last ~30+ years have lead to an acceptance of largely poor design from Ferrari. The Roma came close to classic, ageless beauty, but it didn’t quite nail it
I think the 296 was also a rare design success from Ferrari, but yes, their recent track record is less-than-stellar, which is a real shame. They seem like they’ve been struggling to find their place.
Eh. I think it’s beautiful. Who are you to say why I think it’s beautiful?
Someone having a negative opinion of something doesn’t negate your positive opinion of that thing.
Funny that you would claim I am taking issue with others’ opinions … when I was simply responding to your comment which did exactly that.
I wasn’t taking issue with your opinion of the car. I was taking issue with your assumption regarding why people think Ferraris are beautiful (“because they think Ferrari automatically = design perfection”).
What a stunner. But the glass roof is not doing anything at all – it’s mostly opaque black! Images 5 and 7 show it well. The only see-thru bit is a thin strip that looks smaller than a typical moonroof. Cool as it would have been to have a wraparound glass cockpit, I imagine rollover regs wouldn’t let that happen.
I don’t give a shit about super cars, but holy hell that thing is hot. 9500rpm, damn.
I love seeing this return to less jagged/aggressive car designs.