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<b>MARANELLO'S HOTTEST MOVER:</b> The F12 Berlinetta will be shown at the 2012 Geneva auto show. <a href="http://www.wheels24.co.za/Multimedia/Manufacturers/Ferrari/2012-Ferrari-F12-Berlinetta-20120301" target="_blank">Image gallery</a>
The fastest Ferrari yet has been unveiled in Maranello as the first in a new generation of V12 cars for the supercar maker.
The F12 Berlinetta’s reveal on Ferrari.com ushers in a new generation of 12 cylinder engines for Ferrari. The mid-front-engined sports car is said to combine fresh design with what Ferrari terms “extreme aerodynamics”.
Ferrari’s traditional transaxle layout has been overhauled to handle the extra demands from the most powerful Ferrari road car yet. The rear suspension has a new layout and this, together with the positioning of the gearbox, has allowed Ferrari’s engineers to make the car’s rear more compact.
The car’s wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered into the chassis to provide a lower centre of gravity.
TECHNICAL FEAST
Other technical highlights include the all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell produced by Scaglietti using 12 different kinds of alloys. Some materials are used here for the first time in the automotive sector, while the new assembly and joining techniques have also been employed in the construction of the F12.
Thanks to these improvements, the F12’s structural rigidity is increased by 20% and, at 1525kg, it is 70kg lighter than the Scaglietti it replaces.
The F12 Berlinetta’s normally-aspirated 6.2-litre V12, banked at 65°, produces 544kW and peak torque of 690Nm, 80% of which is available from 2500rpm. Can you imagine the sound while revving towards the 8700rpm limit?
The engine is mated to Ferrari’s F1 dual-clutch transmission with closer gear ratios developed specifically to handle this car’s performance.
With the V12 in play, the F12 Berlinetta sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds and on to 200km/h in a staggering 8.5 seconds. It has a top speed beyond 340km/h.
Ferrari’s latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes manage stopping duties. An evolution of Ferrari’s magnetorheological suspension control system is standard, along with integrated control systems such as E-Diff, ESP Premium and high-performance ABS.
TREADING A FINE LINE
Remarkably, despite this performance, Ferrari can still talk of fuel consumption that has been reduced by 30% and CO2 emissions of “just” 350g/km, crediting fine-tuned efficiencies of the whole vehicle including engine, aerodynamics, tyres and overall weight.
Regarding the car’s aerodynamic development that was honed during lengthy wind tunnel testing, downforce has been increased by 76% while the drag coefficient is just 0.29 Cd. Ferrari credits its new Aero Bridge, which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channeling air away from the upper part of the car to the flanks, and an Active Brake Cooling system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures for the noted reductions in drag.
The F12 Berlinetta was designed in a partnership between Ferrari’s styling centre and coachbuilder Pininfarina that has resulted in an aggressive-looking coupe with compact dimensions.
Inside the leather-lined cabin, advanced technology and handcrafted detailing compete for space while the super car’s practicality has been stepped up with an additional parcel shelf behind the rear seats.
The F12 Berlinetta will enjoy its official debut at the 2012 Geneva auto show where it will grace the stage with a new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer colour.
Read more reports from the 2012 Geneva auto show.
The F12 Berlinetta’s reveal on Ferrari.com ushers in a new generation of 12 cylinder engines for Ferrari. The mid-front-engined sports car is said to combine fresh design with what Ferrari terms “extreme aerodynamics”.
Ferrari’s traditional transaxle layout has been overhauled to handle the extra demands from the most powerful Ferrari road car yet. The rear suspension has a new layout and this, together with the positioning of the gearbox, has allowed Ferrari’s engineers to make the car’s rear more compact.
The car’s wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered into the chassis to provide a lower centre of gravity.
TECHNICAL FEAST
Other technical highlights include the all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell produced by Scaglietti using 12 different kinds of alloys. Some materials are used here for the first time in the automotive sector, while the new assembly and joining techniques have also been employed in the construction of the F12.
Thanks to these improvements, the F12’s structural rigidity is increased by 20% and, at 1525kg, it is 70kg lighter than the Scaglietti it replaces.
The F12 Berlinetta’s normally-aspirated 6.2-litre V12, banked at 65°, produces 544kW and peak torque of 690Nm, 80% of which is available from 2500rpm. Can you imagine the sound while revving towards the 8700rpm limit?
The engine is mated to Ferrari’s F1 dual-clutch transmission with closer gear ratios developed specifically to handle this car’s performance.
IRON FIST, LEATHER GLOVE: There's no lack of comfort or luxury in the F12 Berlinetta's cabin.
Ferrari’s latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes manage stopping duties. An evolution of Ferrari’s magnetorheological suspension control system is standard, along with integrated control systems such as E-Diff, ESP Premium and high-performance ABS.
TREADING A FINE LINE
Remarkably, despite this performance, Ferrari can still talk of fuel consumption that has been reduced by 30% and CO2 emissions of “just” 350g/km, crediting fine-tuned efficiencies of the whole vehicle including engine, aerodynamics, tyres and overall weight.
Regarding the car’s aerodynamic development that was honed during lengthy wind tunnel testing, downforce has been increased by 76% while the drag coefficient is just 0.29 Cd. Ferrari credits its new Aero Bridge, which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channeling air away from the upper part of the car to the flanks, and an Active Brake Cooling system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures for the noted reductions in drag.
The F12 Berlinetta was designed in a partnership between Ferrari’s styling centre and coachbuilder Pininfarina that has resulted in an aggressive-looking coupe with compact dimensions.
Inside the leather-lined cabin, advanced technology and handcrafted detailing compete for space while the super car’s practicality has been stepped up with an additional parcel shelf behind the rear seats.
The F12 Berlinetta will enjoy its official debut at the 2012 Geneva auto show where it will grace the stage with a new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer colour.
Read more reports from the 2012 Geneva auto show.
