New Ferrari 12Cilindri Track Test: Spider vs Coupe with Tiff Needell

The Ferrari 12Cilindri is the Italian marque's latest front-engined V12 GT car, with a starting price of around £340,000 and a lineage that includes the 812 Superfast, F12 and 599. It combines serious power with grand touring refinement, offering 830hp from its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine.

This review is based on first-hand driving impressions from professional racing drivers and motoring presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tiff Needell, who tested both the Coupé and Spider variants on track and road.

Reviewed by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tiff Needell – both professional racing drivers with extensive experience in motorsport including Formula 1, British Touring Car Championship, and Le Mans. Both reviewers have competed in Ferrari Challenge race cars and bring decades of high-performance driving expertise to this assessment.

What is the Ferrari 12Cilindri?

The 12Cilindri represents Ferrari's continued commitment to the naturally aspirated V12 grand tourer. It succeeds the 812 Superfast and shares its 830hp output with the limited-edition, track-focused 812 Competizione.

The car is available in two body styles: the Coupé and the Spider convertible, with the Spider commanding a £30,000 premium over the Coupé's base price.

The design comes from Flavio Manzoni and the Ferrari Styling Centre design team. Key visual elements include a bonnet that incorporates the wings with no cut lines, a 25mm lip on the boot (known as a nolder), and active aerodynamic flaps at the rear. The car is slightly longer and taller than the 812 Superfast it replaces.

How fast is the 12Cilindri?

Performance figures position the 12Cilindri firmly in supercar territory:

• 830hp at 9,250rpm from the 6.5-litre mid-front mounted V12 engine
• 678Nm of torque at 7,250rpm
• 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds
• 0-124mph in 7.9 seconds
• Top speed exceeding 211mph (340kph)

Source: Ferrari official performance specifications

The engine is a development of the 812 Competizione's V12 unit, offering 30hp more than the 812 Superfast. Notably, the 12Cilindri is quicker around Ferrari's Fiorano test circuit than both the 812 and the mid-engined 296 GTB.

The car features 'Aspirated Torque Shaping' in third and fourth gears, where the torque curve is electronically controlled to create a feeling of constant crescendo. Torque delivery spans from 2,000rpm to 7,250rpm, making the car flexible across a wide rev range.

How does the 12Cilindri feel to drive?

From behind the wheel, the 12Cilindri feels less brutal and more refined than its predecessors, the 812 Superfast and F12. While it retains quick reactions and sensitive controls, the overall character is more playful and less aggressive than earlier models. The steering and chassis responses are alert without feeling intimidating, and the car exhibits a balanced, mid-engined feel despite its front-engine layout.

The active aerodynamics include flaps that open at the rear from 37mph (60kph), generating up to 50kg of downforce at 155mph. The system can shift the aerodynamic balance slightly rearward for stability in faster corners.

Gearbox and transmission

The 12Cilindri uses an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that first appeared in the SF90 Stradale in 2019. Gear ratios are slightly shorter in the lower gears compared to previous V12 Berlinettas, and shift times are 30 per cent faster than other V12 Berlinettas. The brake-by-wire system is more precise, safer, and faster-reacting than traditional hydraulic mechanical options.

Chassis and handling

The aluminium chassis incorporates several advanced systems:

• MagneRide semi-active dampers that reduce roll on track while improving comfort on motorways.
• Four-wheel steering for stability, with wheels always pointing in the same direction to effectively lengthen the wheelbase at speed.
• Side Slip Control version 8.0 with a six-way chassis sensor system that actively measures and predicts the car's movements and slip of each wheel.

The manettino driving mode selector includes a Bumpy Road mode for additional suspension cushioning. The wheelbase is 20mm shorter than the 812 Superfast, and weight distribution approaches 50/50 front to rear.

What tyres does the 12Cilindri use?

The Ferrari 12Cilindri sits on 21-inch forged aluminium wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres. The front wheels use the tyre size 275/35R21 and the rear wheel tyre size is 315/25R21.

According to Michelin, these tyres deliver a balance between dry grip and wet performance through motorsport-derived tread materials and precision manufacturing designed to ensure consistency at high performance levels.

The tyres have been developed in collaboration with Ferrari. This specific version carries the K marking on the sidewall, indicating Ferrari approval for performance on both road and track at speeds beyond 300 km/h.

Ferrari also offers a winter option for the 12Cilindri for use in cold conditions. The Pilot Alpin 5 carries the same K-marking, meaning it is specifically designed for Ferrari applications.

What wheel options are available?

Ferrari offers 21-inch forged wheels as an option for the 12Cilindri. According to Ferrari, these wheels are manufactured using advanced forging technology to offer reduced weight, contributing to an overall vehicle weight saving of approximately 7 kg compared to standard wheels.

Ferrari states that the forged construction maximises vehicle characteristics through a combination of innovative technology and manufacturing quality standards. The forged wheels are available in three finishes: glossy Grigio Orbit, glossy black with diamond finish, and matte black with diamond finish.

Beyond the forged options, Ferrari's Genuine catalogue offers the standard 21-inch wheel. These wheels are available in glossy Liquid Silver and matte Grigio Corsa finishes. Accessory options include racing hub caps and titanium stud bolts for owners seeking further specification upgrades.

Is the 12Cilindri practical day to day?

For a supercar, the 12Cilindri offers reasonable practicality. The Coupé provides 270 litres of boot space, equivalent to a Volvo XC90 with all seven seats in place, and larger than the latest Aston Martin Vanquish (248 litres). The Spider offers 200 litres with its folding roof mechanism.

Source: Ferrari cargo capacity specifications

The interior features Ferrari's latest dual-zone dashboard design, seen previously in the Roma and Purosangue. This semi-symmetrical layout allows the passenger access to significant vehicle information and controls via their own display screen. The central touchscreen incorporates the latest Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology, with Apple CarPlay compatibility and wireless phone charging.

Steering wheel controls use haptic feedback technology operated by thumb controls. The centre screen blends into the dashboard when switched off, avoiding the protruding screen aesthetic common in many modern cars. The cabin benefits from a generous tinted glass roof, and the seats use Alcantara containing 68 per cent recycled polyester.

Spider-specific considerations

The Spider variant is 60kg heavier than the Coupé but maintains a lower centre of gravity. The roof lowers in 14 seconds at speeds up to 28mph (45kph). The curved roof design sits elegantly above the occupants' heads, and the rear screen adjusts electrically. Wind noise is well-controlled, with normal conversation possible at speeds exceeding 124mph.

How does the 12Cilindri compare to rivals?

The 12Cilindri sits in exclusive company among naturally aspirated V12 grand tourers. The direct rival is the Aston Martin Vanquish and its Volante drop-top version, which is longer and slightly heavier than the Ferrari. The Lamborghini Revuelto offers a different, more raucous character with its hybrid V12 powertrain. Vicki Butler-Henderson believes that each car represents a distinct philosophy: the Ferrari emphasises refinement with performance, the Aston Martin focuses on grand touring elegance, and the Lamborghini prioritises drama and presence.

How much does the 12Cilindri cost?

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Coupé starts at approximately £340,000, with the Spider commanding a £30,000 premium. As tested on track, the reviewed Coupé featured approximately £177,000 worth of options. The substantial options list allows significant personalisation, though this can dramatically increase the final price.

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