Three words: Fastest.
Ferrari. Ever.
While the
"F12berlinetta" F12 Berlinetta may have a
name seemingly designed to drive English teachers (and website editors)
insane, the 740-horsepower V12 is just plain
demenziale. Making
509 lb-ft of torque, it's enough to propel the 3,362-pound car from
0-62 mph in just 3.1 seconds and 0-104 mph in 8.5 seconds, according to
Ferrari. Of course, the true measure of any Prancing Horse is the lap
around Fiorano, which the Maranello automaker says can be completed in
just 1:23. (The previous record-holder was the
599 GTO at 1:24, while the
Enzo clocked in at a leisurely 1:25.)
Ferrari says the new F12 Berlinetta has a lower and more rearward center
of gravity thanks to a redesigned suspension and gearbox, with 54
percent of the weight resting over the rear tires. A 0.299 Cd and 76
percent more downforce allows a top speed of over 211 mph.
The F12 Berlinetta will be shown for the first time at the upcoming
Geneva Motor Show, and we'll be on hand to chronicle the festivities for your viewing enjoyment.
Press Release
Announcing the F12berlinetta: the fastest Ferrari ever built
The first in a new generation of V12 cars unveiled exclusively on www.ferrari.com
Maranello, 29th February 2012 – Today's on-line unveiling of the
F12berlinetta ushers in a new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinders in the
form of a car that delivers unprecedented performance from an
exceptional new engine, combined with innovative design that redefines
classic themes along with extreme aerodynamics.
Revealed to the world for the first time on Ferrari.com in preparation
for its official debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, the
F12berlinetta, finished in an attractive new Rosso Berlinetta
three-layer colour, represents the very cutting-edge of
mid-front-engined sports cars.
This is, in fact, the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road
car ever launched thanks to the incredibly efficient engine – in terms
of mechanical, combustion and fluid-dynamics efficiency – which,
together with advanced vehicle architecture, aerodynamics, components
and electronic controls, guarantee unsurpassed driving involvement
whatever the road or track.
Ferrari's traditional transaxle layout has been revolutionised to
match the more extreme performance of the car. The wheelbase has been
shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered in the
chassis, while the new layout of the rear suspension and gearbox enabled
Ferrari's engineers to make the rear volume of the car smaller. 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 sets new standards.
Scaglietti, renowned for its expertise in aluminium materials and
construction, designed an all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell using
12 different kinds of alloys, some of which have been used here for the
first time in the automotive sector, and employing new assembly and
joining techniques. This has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in
structural rigidity while reducing weight to just 1525 kg (70 kg less
than the previous V12 coupé) with an ideal distribution between the
axles (54 per cent over the rear).
The F12berlinetta's 6262cc 65° V12 engine delivers unprecedented
performance and revs for a naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder. Its maximum
power output is 740 CV which translates to a specific output of 118
CV/l. Torque reaches a peak of 690 Nm, 80 per cent of which is already
available at just 2,500 rpm, and which provides an unrelenting surge of
acceleration all the way to the 8,700 rpm limit. The engine is mated to
the F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed
specifically for this car's performance. The F12berlinetta boasts a
weight-to-power ratio of just 2.1 kg/CV .
Fuel consumption has been reduced by 30%, with CO2 emissions of just
350 g/km – figures which put the F12berlinetta at the top of the
high-performance league. These results have been obtained by extensive
research and development which focused on efficiencies of the whole
vehicle: engine, aerodynamics, tyres and weights.
Similarly excellent results have been obtained with the car's
aerodynamic development, thanks to the integration of the design process
with extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and
lengthy testing 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.
The F12berlinetta's impressive technical specifications are completed
by Ferrari's latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and the
evolution of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E).
As is now traditional with all Ferraris, its control systems (E-Diff,
ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS) are all fully
integrated.
The result is that the new Prancing Horse 12-cylinder accelerates from
0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It
also completes a lap of the Fiorano circuit in 1'23", faster than any
other Ferrari road car. Benchmark performance and maximum driving
involvement are guaranteed by immediate turn-in, with smaller steering
wheel angles, and increased cornering speed. Stopping distances have
also been drastically reduced.
The design of the F12berlinetta is a result of the collaboration
between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina and is a perfect
balance of uncompromising aerodynamics with harmonious proportions
interpreting the typical elements of Ferrari's front-engined V12 cars in
an original and innovative way. A coupé with sleek, aggressive lines
whose compact exterior dimensions conceal exceptional in-car space and
comfort. The all-new Frau leather interior highlights the balance of
advanced technology and sophisticated, handcrafted detailing. In the
middle of the light and lean dashboard, there are new carbon fibre and
aluminium air vents clearly inspired by the aeronautic field.
The cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the
interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats, which
can also be easily reached thanks to the large aperture offered by the
tail-gate. With the cockpit designed around the driver, typical of all
Ferraris, the Human Machine Interface approach is emphasised, grouping
all the major commands within immediate reach to guarantee maximum
ergonomics for the most involving driving experience.
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
