Marenello based supercar maker Ferrari’s new F12berlinetta has bagged the 2012 Auto Build Design Award. The new supercar has been designed by a team of designers from Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina. The F12 gets design cues from FF and California and the design of the new car, without doubt, is sensational. It’s every bit a V12 Coupe Ferrari with a belligerent face followed by some beautiful lines. As per Ferrari, the body of the F12berlienetta is an ‘innovative design that redefines classic themes along with extreme aerodynamics.’
The wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered. Suspension and gearbox layout has also been altered to reduce the volume at the rear. The overall result is a very compact car with a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency that according to Ferrari, sets new standards.
The most powerful Ferrari ever has a new V12 engine with 740 bhp of mind numbing power and 690Nm of peak torque. While the peak power is produced at a high 6500 rpm, about 80 percent of peak turning force is available from as low as 2500rpm from this V12 coupe’s mid-front positioned engine. That should really translate into an addictive surge, unmatched by almost anything on wheels its size. All that power propels this car from 0-100km/h in a blistering fast 3.1seconds, while 0-200 comes in an equally amazing 8.5 seconds. The engine is mated to the F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifically for this car’s performance. The new Ferrari also laps the Fiorano track in 1:23, the quickest ever time for a Ferrari. Faster, even than the Enzo Ferrari.
The body of the F12 is revolutionary too. Scaglietti designed an all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell for the new car using 12 different kinds of alloys, some of which are all-new. New assembly and joining techniques have also been employed for the F12berlinetta. This has resulted in 70kg less weight than the earlier V12 coupe, yet 20% more structural rigidity.
The F12berlinetta has been tested extensively in the wind tunnel. Downforce has been boosted by 76 per cent (123 kg at 200 km/h) while drag has been significantly reduced (the Cd is just 0.299). These results come courtesy of two new solutions. The first of these is the Aero Bridge which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag. The second is Active Brake Cooling, a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, again reducing drag.
On the inside, the cabin now has more space for passengers, with more luggage capacity behind the seats. The luggage can now more easily accessible thanks to the aperture provided by the tail gate. The cockpit is optimized for maximum involvement of the drivers, with easy access to all the key controls. Here’s the technical specs sheet of the car. We would really be interested to know your first views on the car, especially the design. Don’t forget to let us know what you think.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Type 65-degree V12
Total displacement 6262 cc
Maximum power output 740 CV at 8500 rpm
Maximum torque 690 Nm at 6000 rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length 4618 mm
Width 1942 mm
Height 1273 mm
Dry weight* 1525 kg
Weight distribution 46% front, 58% rear
Weight-power ratio 2,1 kg/CV
Performance
Maximum speed over 340 km/h
0-100 km/h 3.1 seconds