The Doors to a new generation of V12S : The F12 BERLINETTA Unveiled
The most high performance Ferrari ever is unveiled online in the run-up to its official debut at Geneva
“I am very proud to be presenting our latest creation, the product of a huge amount of work, passion and our collaborations with our finest technological partners worldwide”.
Warm words of welcome indeed from Chairman Luca di Montezemolo for theF12berlinetta which ushers in a whole new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinders.
The meaning of berlinetta is an especially sporty form of coupe. Typically a two-seater, the type may include 2+2s. And the real meaning for berlinetta in Italian is "little saloon" .It was Introduced in the 1930s, and that term was popularized by Ferrari in the 1950s.
The new car has been well worth the wait, delivering unprecedented performance and a striking new design that is both classic and innovative at once.
It had already been announced that the new arrival would hail a revolution in the Ferrari V12 range, and the F12berlintetta does mark a genuine break with the past. It has an extraordinarily efficient powertrain courtesy of running gear, architecture and components that ensure its 740 hp are exploited to the last.
In fact, after putting the car through its paces at Fiorano, Felipe Massa admiringly described the engine as “mean”. Alonso, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised at the F12berlinetta’s soundtrack: “Ferraris are famous for their power, beauty and Sound track which is sexy just to listen to.”
The result? The exhilarating driving experience delivered by every Ferrari combined with absolutely unprecedented performance.
This takes us to the F12berlinetta’s chassis which was meticulously honed and constructed by the Scaglietti Centre of Excellence. Aluminium is the star of that particular show with no less than 12 different alloys used to create a completely new bodyshell. A combination of new assembly technologies have also slimmed down its weight by 70 kg compared to that of the previous V12 coupé and boosted structural rigidity.
As Montezemolo described it, the F12berlinetta is “rigid and thus safe, compact, but very light”. Factor in a dry weight of 1525kg and you can imagine what sort of performance this thing delivers: Faster into the bargain, sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 8.5 and a Top speed of 340kph.
As Montezemolo described it, the F12berlinetta is “rigid and thus safe, compact, but very light”. Factor in a dry weight of 1525kg and you can imagine what sort of performance this thing delivers: Faster into the bargain, sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 8.5 and a Top speed of 340kph.
What this translates to in practical terms is a lap of Fiorano in just 1’23’’. That’s a record time but, to quote Massa , “there’s never any loss of control”.
The F12berlinetta is extraordinarily aerodynamically efficient too. Lengthy testing in the Wind Tunnel has honed the structure that inspired its design, the fruit of a collaboration between the Ferrari Style Centre and Pininfarina. The car’s clean forms are the product of a seamless marriage of superlative aerodynamic efficiency and elegantly balanced proportions.
The latest addition to the Prancing Horse range truly is “a very beautiful car brimming with personality and innovative design” as Montezemolo summed up the move away from the classic front-engined berlinetta idea of beauty which has been given an original, very modern twist in the F12berlinetta whilst still retaining a touch of the inimitable Ferrari tradition. The result is aggressive yet sleek lines clothing a compact exterior and rounded flanks. A design so unusual it also affords exceptional cabin space and comfort, thanks in part also to new technologies and sophisticated handcrafted detailing.
Inside, the F12's cabin volume has been deliberately stream-lined, and the dash layout is far more modern.You can make up your own mind about the car's styling: it's a new Ferrari, it's the latest product of Ferrari's Centro Stile partnership with Pininfarina, and the internet debate will no doubt rage for weeks. But think of the F12 as a mix of 458 Italia and 599 GTO, mashed up with that classic Ferrari V12 GT playboy thing, and we're pretty sure you will not experience disappointment the first time one blasts past you.
An exhilarating driving experience is guaranteed aboard the F12berlinetta, the fruit of creativity and tradition focused on new generation technological innovation.
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