Touching down in Sydney immediately after its global premiere in Miami, Ferrari Australasia is pleased to introduce Maranello’s latest two-seater berlinetta powered by a mid-front-mounted, naturally-aspirated V12, the 12Cilindri.
Inspired by the Ferrari Gran Turismo cars of the 1950s and ‘60s: race-bred driving thrills combined with versatility. Embodying the front-mounted Ferrari V12 two-seater mission with its effortless combination of elegance, versatility, and performance. The car represents the latest evolution in this bloodline and continues that unique legacy, elevating it towards new standards in performance, comfort, and design.
Simple yet harmonious lines feature an integrated active aerodynamic device to guarantee peerless performance, a front-hinged bonnet that exalts the view of the engine bay, and the two twin tailpipes that have become a signature of Ferrari’s 12-cylinder cars.
The naturally-aspirated, mid-front-mounted V12, was the very first Ferrari engine to roar its way through the factory gates in Maranello and this Ferrari 12Cilindri is the natural evolution of the company’s uncompromising powertrain philosophy, which over the decades has continued to develop without ever straying from its original DNA and the marque’s core values.
The F140HD engine equipping the Ferrari 12Cilindri is the new version of the iconic naturally-aspirated Ferrari V12, the purest expression of Ferrari’s soul: its peerless performance, powerful soundtrack and exclusivity make it the worthy heir to the legendary berlinetta sports cars that wrote some of the most glittering chapters in the marque’s history. The engine features modified components and software, some of which were already adopted on the special series 812 Competizione, ensuring it tops its category in terms of performance.
The 6.5 litre engine can unleash up to 610kW and 678Nm of torque while its max revs have been increased to 9,500 rpm by adopting challenging and innovative solutions. This power combined with the minimum dry weight of just 1,560kg allows the 12Cilindri to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 0-200 km/h in less than 7.9 seconds and its top speed exceeds 340km/h.
To allow the V12 to rev so high, the engineers worked to reduce the weight and inertia of the engine’s components, adopting titanium con rods, which guarantee a saving of 40% in rotating mass compared to steel with the same mechanical resistance. A different aluminium alloy was used for the pistons, making them lighter than on previous applications. Further weight reduction was gained by the adoption of a rebalanced crankshaft which is 3% lighter.
Sound is pivotal to marrying the comfort, luxury and exhilarating driving emotions typical of a Ferrari V12: to this end, every element of the intake and exhaust lines were optimised. Equal-length exhaust tracts, the 6-in-1 manifold for every cylinder bank and the innovative design of the central sections has resulted in Ferrari’s typical V12 howl that comprises all of the noble combustion orders.
The perfect integration and calibration of high and low frequencies coming from the intake and exhaust systems respectively also influence the engine’s timbre. The shape of the ducts and the internal fluidynamics of the silencer baffles have been designed to reduce backpressure to a minimum thereby improving power delivery. The geometry of the forms and curves of the exhaust system was also perfected to guarantee the very purest notes of the signature Ferrari sound all the way to the limiter.
To guarantee that the soundtrack in the cabin is perfectly balanced, the intake tract was modified: modifying the position of the resonators also changed the pressure waves resulting in a richer range, particularly in terms of the middle frequencies. The result is a cleaner, more full sound in the cabin in all driving conditions, but especially in sportier situations.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri sports the 8-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) that received such an unanimously rapturous welcome on other cars in the range, starting with the SF90 Stradale. Thanks in part to larger tyres on 21” rims, this solution delivers 5% shorter gear ratios in the lower gears and a 12% increase in torque at the wheels compared to previous V12 applications, all to the benefit of longitudinal performance under acceleration and gear shifting times (30% faster than the previous V12 berlinetta applications).
The design of the Ferrari 12Cilindri’s interior sees it split into three different levels: the first, dominated by the upper part of the dash, continues around to blend into the door panel trim. Next is the central area while the third includes the footwells and seats. Each level is clearly defined, heightening the dual cockpit effect through the colour and material combinations. These are used to create either an elegant or sporty look for the seats and other features. Ferrari’s signature luxury and performance are flanked on the Ferrari 12Cilindri by a focus on environmental sustainability: extensive use has been made of sustainable materials such as Alcantara containing 65% recycled polyester.
The interior style takes its inspiration from the Prancing Horse’s dual-cockpit architecture. In recent years, that layout was used for the Ferrari Roma and Roma Spider as well as the Ferrari Purosangue. The Ferrari 12Cilindri’s cabin has an almost-symmetrical structure comprising two modules for driver and passenger and offering an astonishing standard of comfort and involvement in the driving experience. A deftly elegant colour and material change draws the eye to the two volumes separated by the body of the dash, which seem almost to float, further enhancing the feeling of lightness in this area.
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance programme offered with Ferrari 12Cilindri. Available across the entire Ferrari range, the programme covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This scheduled maintenance is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years. This very special service is also available to owners buying pre-owned Ferraris.
Regular maintenance (at intervals of either 20,000 km or once a year with no mileage restrictions), original spares and meticulous checks by staff trained directly at the Ferrari Training Centre in Maranello using the most modern diagnostic tools are just some of the advantages of the Genuine Maintenance Programme. The service is available on all markets worldwide and from all Dealerships in the Official Dealership network.
The first arrivals of the 12Cilindri Coupe are anticipated in Australia during the latter half of 2025 with a starting price of $803,500 before personalisation and on-road costs. The first 12Cilindri Spiders are projected to follow in late 2025 / early 2026 priced from $886,800. Visit your preferred Ferrari dealer for more information.
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.