Maranello, a small town in Emilia Romagna where 4,000 employees work for the most famous automobile company in the world. Besides their skills and love for the machina, some show a certain originality. Not just in terms of dress – a tradition in Italy. Thus, these two young designers, a Luxembourgish and a French, proudly coming out of the den at the wheel of an immaculate Fiat Panda 30 from the 1980s! Or this other Frenchman, defector from Alpine and specialist in ground connections, who kindly lent his personal A110 so that his interior could be digitized!
We had the privilege of visiting the department Classic, where some jewels belonging to private collectors transported us in the history of prancing Horse. And also the aluminum and steel workshop where the hearts – V8 and V12 – of red cars (not always) are made at a rate of 60 to 65 per day. Or one of the design rooms where we fell in love with the new and sculptural 296 GTB, whose airline pays homage to some great classics. If we were impressed by such know-how, such technology and even sometimes moved by the beauty of these four-wheeled sculptures, neither our breath, nor our heart have changed rhythm. It was quite different the next day, once at the wheel of the 812 Competizione on the circuit of Fiorano, at the foot of the house where the Commendatore had his office.
In this early afternoon at the end of November, the place is surprisingly calm. In the paddock, a few mechanics are busy around three cars, one red and two yellow, to check the tire pressure and pass a last wipe of their nostrils. Tense muscles, Competition look like wild animals ready to pounce. Helmet and securely harnessed in the superb leather seat, we set off for a warm-up lap behind the in-house pilot-instructor. At this pace, the V12 just made a little rattle on startup before being – almost – forgotten, the robotic box echoing its reports nonchalantly. The beast’s docility is disconcerting. At the end of this first lap, without warning, our pilot let go of his red racing car. The least of the courtesies is to put the wheels together. Finally try.
The guttural sound of the two V12s echo each other …
Manettino in fashion Race and manual gearbox, all you have to do is crush the right pedal without forgetting to change the upper gear with a simple flick, on the right pallet. Easy. Then don’t forget to hit the center pedal when the red brake lights come on. Too easy. But already our instructor’s warning is flashing. End of the 4 turns. Frustration. Fortunately another session awaits us. The opportunity to go to the edge of the track to see our colleagues evolve. The throaty sound of the two echoing V12s pays homage to all who have gone before them in history. A sound of crystalline purity obtained despite the particle filters supposed to break their vocal cords. At Ferrari, music is part of the DNA.
Reworked in depth to optimize aerodynamics – an obsession at Ferrari – the body a little too “bodybuilt” for our taste delivers all its beauty once in motion. Screwed to the bitumen, the Competition evolve at such a speed and ease that they remind us of the spectacle we had, as a child, of our Scalextric circuit, lying on the carpet in our room! Unreal. Return to the track for a second series of 4 laps during which we are determined to take advantage of what is arguably the last atmospheric V12 in Ferrari history. If its displacement of 6,496 cm3 remains unchanged, its maximum speed gained 500 revolutions to reach a surrealist 9,500 revolutions. A record. Power gains 30 hp to reach 830 hp. This is the most powerful road V12 ever approved for the road! 2”85 to reach 100 km / h and 7”5 for 200 km / h. The numbers speak for themselves. To achieve such a feat, almost everything has been modified: the connecting rods are made of titanium (40% lighter than steel), the pistons, the crankshaft (3% lighter), the distribution have been changed. The intake manifold – with variable geometry – is more compact, the ducts shorter, the torque curve (692 Nm at 7,000 rpm, 80% of which from 2,500 rpm) has been optimized, a new oil pump at “ variable displacement ”continuously adjusts the oil pressure, making it more fluid. Short, titanic work made this V12 even more demonic.
The thrust of the V12 seems endless …
Despite the fact that we are not allowed to tackle the short straight of the circuit fully (!), the tachometer indicates 224 km / h before braking. No time to break the toy. The thrust of the V12 seems endless, powered by the devilish shift times of the robotic transmission, further reduced by 5%. If one teases the switch for the simple pleasure of hearing, the V12 is largely satisfied with the 8,500 revolutions. We try to get closer to our instructor for the day by delaying our braking. The carbon-ceramics laugh, which offer a consistency worthy of a racing car thanks to a cooling further improved by aerodynamic calipers allowing to lower the oil temperature by 30 °. We re-accelerate earlier and earlier on exiting the bend, thus emphasizing diabolical agility and motor skills that barely translate into sober and precise drifts of the butt.
In addition to its magneto-rheological damping, its electronic differential and its 4-wheel steering, the Competizione provides a secret weapon: small electric motors vary the toe angle of each of the rear wheels, independently, at a maximum angle of 2.15 °, modifying the wheelbase in the process, poetically baptized “virtual short wheelbase 3.0”. Not only are the agility and stability under braking increased, but the effort at the wheel when cornering is reduced. The whole is accompanied by an equally titanic work on the aerodynamics, never to this point optimized on a road Ferrari.. These include, among others, the carbon blade which bars the front cover and allows the hot air to be evacuated from the radiator, the aluminum rear window, completely closed, with Vortex generators, an effect that can also be found on sides, or the rectangular tailpipes, at the corners of the bumper which, like on the F1 cars of the 2010s, generate a dynamic interaction between the exhaust gases and the rear diffusers, for the benefit of downforce, increased by 35% … Not to mention a reduced weight of 38 kilos thanks, in large part, to the use of carbon, including for the optional rims, offered for the first time on a V12. All this for what ? To gain 1”5 per lap over the 3.021 km of the Fiorano circuit, completed – very exactly – in 1’20 ”. Knowing that the absolute record remains held, in 2004, by a certain Michael S. with 55”999! A good hearer, ciao!
Opinion
This 812 Competizione sublimates the atmospheric V12 and makes it even easier to exploit its exceptional potential. Too late to draw your checkbook, the 999 coupes and 599 Aperta (Targa) have all been sold already.
WE love
- Mechanical magic
- Engine-gearbox approval
- Bewitching sound
- Mind-blowing performances
- Ease of piloting
We like less
- All sold …
- Prices…
- Design a bit ostentatious!
Technical sheet
Motor : V12 at 65 °, 48 valves, petrol direct injection, variable timing, 6,496 cm3, stop & start
Transmission : rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, robotized with 7-speed dual-clutch, electronic self-locking differential
Power (hp at rpm): 830 hp at 9,250
Torque (Nm at rpm) : 692 to 7,000
Lxlxh (m) : 4,69×1,97×1,28
Weight (kg) : 1 487
Tank : 92 liters
0 to 100 km / h : 2’’85
0 to 200 km / h : 7’’5
Lap time in Fiorano : 1’20’’
Max speed : more than 340
Tire AV / AR : 275/35 R 20 / 315/35 R 20
Average consumption (manufacturer) (l / 100 km): nc
CO2 (g)/malus : nc
Price : € 499,000 (Open: € 578,000)
To read / see also on auto-moto.com:
Ferrari 8112 GTS test
Ferrari 812 Superfast video test
Ferrari Roma video test
Essai Ferrari Portofino M
Maranello, a small town in Emilia Romagna where 4,000 employees work for the most famous automobile company in the world. Besides their skills and love for the machina, some show a certain originality. Not just in terms of dress – a tradition in Italy. Thus, these two young designers, a Luxembourgish and a French, proudly coming out of the den at the wheel of an immaculate Fiat Panda 30 from the 1980s! Or this other Frenchman, defector from Alpine and specialist in ground connections, who kindly lent his personal A110 so that his interior could be digitized!
We had the privilege of visiting the department Classic, where some jewels belonging to private collectors transported us in the history of prancing Horse. And also the aluminum and steel workshop where the hearts – V8 and V12 – of red cars (not always) are made at a rate of 60 to 65 per day. Or one of the design rooms where we fell in love with the new and sculptural 296 GTB, whose airline pays homage to some great classics. If we were impressed by such know-how, such technology and even sometimes moved by the beauty of these four-wheeled sculptures, neither our breath, nor our heart have changed rhythm. It was quite different the next day, once at the wheel of the 812 Competizione on the circuit of Fiorano, at the foot of the house where the Commendatore had his office.
In this early afternoon at the end of November, the place is surprisingly calm. In the paddock, a few mechanics are busy around three cars, one red and two yellow, to check the tire pressure and pass a last wipe of their nostrils. Tense muscles, Competition look like wild animals ready to pounce. Helmet and securely harnessed in the superb leather seat, we set off for a warm-up lap behind the in-house pilot-instructor. At this pace, the V12 just made a little rattle on startup before being – almost – forgotten, the robotic box echoing its reports nonchalantly. The beast’s docility is disconcerting. At the end of this first lap, without warning, our pilot let go of his red racing car. The least of the courtesies is to put the wheels together. Finally try.
The guttural sound of the two V12s echo each other …
Manettino in fashion Race and manual gearbox, all you have to do is crush the right pedal without forgetting to change the upper gear with a simple flick, on the right pallet. Easy. Then don’t forget to hit the center pedal when the red brake lights come on. Too easy. But already our instructor’s warning is flashing. End of the 4 turns. Frustration. Fortunately another session awaits us. The opportunity to go to the edge of the track to see our colleagues evolve. The throaty sound of the two echoing V12s pays homage to all who have gone before them in history. A sound of crystalline purity obtained despite the particle filters supposed to break their vocal cords. At Ferrari, music is part of the DNA.
Reworked in depth to optimize aerodynamics – an obsession at Ferrari – the body a little too “bodybuilt” for our taste delivers all its beauty once in motion. Screwed to the bitumen, the Competition evolve at such a speed and ease that they remind us of the spectacle we had, as a child, of our Scalextric circuit, lying on the carpet in our room! Unreal. Return to the track for a second series of 4 laps during which we are determined to take advantage of what is arguably the last atmospheric V12 in Ferrari history. If its displacement of 6,496 cm3 remains unchanged, its maximum speed gained 500 revolutions to reach a surrealist 9,500 revolutions. A record. Power gains 30 hp to reach 830 hp. This is the most powerful road V12 ever approved for the road! 2”85 to reach 100 km / h and 7”5 for 200 km / h. The numbers speak for themselves. To achieve such a feat, almost everything has been modified: the connecting rods are made of titanium (40% lighter than steel), the pistons, the crankshaft (3% lighter), the distribution have been changed. The intake manifold – with variable geometry – is more compact, the ducts shorter, the torque curve (692 Nm at 7,000 rpm, 80% of which from 2,500 rpm) has been optimized, a new oil pump at “ variable displacement ”continuously adjusts the oil pressure, making it more fluid. Short, titanic work made this V12 even more demonic.
The thrust of the V12 seems endless …
Despite the fact that we are not allowed to tackle the short straight of the circuit fully (!), the tachometer indicates 224 km / h before braking. No time to break the toy. The thrust of the V12 seems endless, powered by the devilish shift times of the robotic transmission, further reduced by 5%. If one teases the switch for the simple pleasure of hearing, the V12 is largely satisfied with the 8,500 revolutions. We try to get closer to our instructor for the day by delaying our braking. The carbon-ceramics laugh, which offer a consistency worthy of a racing car thanks to a cooling further improved by aerodynamic calipers allowing to lower the oil temperature by 30 °. We re-accelerate earlier and earlier on exiting the bend, thus emphasizing diabolical agility and motor skills that barely translate into sober and precise drifts of the butt.
In addition to its magneto-rheological damping, its electronic differential and its 4-wheel steering, the Competizione provides a secret weapon: small electric motors vary the toe angle of each of the rear wheels, independently, at a maximum angle of 2.15 °, modifying the wheelbase in the process, poetically baptized “virtual short wheelbase 3.0”. Not only are the agility and stability under braking increased, but the effort at the wheel when cornering is reduced. The whole is accompanied by an equally titanic work on the aerodynamics, never to this point optimized on a road Ferrari.. These include, among others, the carbon blade which bars the front cover and allows the hot air to be evacuated from the radiator, the aluminum rear window, completely closed, with Vortex generators, an effect that can also be found on sides, or the rectangular tailpipes, at the corners of the bumper which, like on the F1 cars of the 2010s, generate a dynamic interaction between the exhaust gases and the rear diffusers, for the benefit of downforce, increased by 35% … Not to mention a reduced weight of 38 kilos thanks, in large part, to the use of carbon, including for the optional rims, offered for the first time on a V12. All this for what ? To gain 1”5 per lap over the 3.021 km of the Fiorano circuit, completed – very exactly – in 1’20 ”. Knowing that the absolute record remains held, in 2004, by a certain Michael S. with 55”999! A good hearer, ciao!
Opinion
This 812 Competizione sublimates the atmospheric V12 and makes it even easier to exploit its exceptional potential. Too late to draw your checkbook, the 999 coupes and 599 Aperta (Targa) have all been sold already.
WE love
- Mechanical magic
- Engine-gearbox approval
- Bewitching sound
- Mind-blowing performances
- Ease of piloting
We like less
- All sold …
- Prices…
- Design a bit ostentatious!
Technical sheet
Motor : V12 at 65 °, 48 valves, petrol direct injection, variable timing, 6,496 cm3, stop & start
Transmission : rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, robotized with 7-speed dual-clutch, electronic self-locking differential
Power (hp at rpm): 830 hp at 9,250
Torque (Nm at rpm) : 692 to 7,000
Lxlxh (m) : 4,69×1,97×1,28
Weight (kg) : 1 487
Tank : 92 liters
0 to 100 km / h : 2’’85
0 to 200 km / h : 7’’5
Lap time in Fiorano : 1’20’’
Max speed : more than 340
Tire AV / AR : 275/35 R 20 / 315/35 R 20
Average consumption (manufacturer) (l / 100 km): nc
CO2 (g)/malus : nc
Price : € 499,000 (Open: € 578,000)
To read / see also on auto-moto.com:
Ferrari 8112 GTS test
Ferrari 812 Superfast video test
Ferrari Roma video test
Essai Ferrari Portofino M
