Downsizing be damned, because Ferrari’s latest V12 masterpiece is now here in Malaysia. The Ferrari 12Cilindri – literally “12 cylinders” in Italian – will be available in both Berlinetta and Spider form, with prices starting at RM4.7 million and RM5.1 million respectively, both prices inclusive of import duties and pre-selected options.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri takes the form of a sleek two-door berlinetta (or spider), inheriting many of the classic styling DNA you’d expect on a Ferrari, including the long low-slung bonnet, muscular haunches, and a new “black screen” grille that is seemingly inspired by the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
Despite its apparent admiration of the past, Ferrari has also still incorporated several modern touches to the design of the 12Cilindri, including a “Delta Wing” black panel at the rear that also incorporates the split “active flaps” spoiler.
Ferrari says that the discreet flaps are capable of generating sufficient downforce (50 kg of downforce at 250 km/h), while still maintaining the sleek lines of the design. And with it located only at the edges of the rear deck instead of across the entire boot lid, boot space on the 12Cilindri has also been maximised.
With a name like that, though, the highlight of the Ferrari 12Cilindri is obviously its beating heart. Called the Colombo V12, the 6.5-litre V12 engine squeezes out a whopping 830 hp and 678 Nm as it screams all the way up to 9,500 rpm. Despite its modern engine technology, the application here still follows a very rudimentary recipe: front-mid mounted, naturally aspirated, and rear-wheel drive with power sent through an eight-speed DCT gearbox.
To achieve a significant 30 hp increase over its predecessor, the 812 Superfast, the engine artisans in Maranello had to give the V12 mill an extensive rework, including titanium con rods that are 40% lighter than before, a rebalanced crankshaft, an F1-inspired valvetrain, and even unique aluminium alloys for the pistons.
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Then, there’s the Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) coating on the valvetrain’s sliding finger followers to reduce friction, alongside a reworked plenum on the intakes, plus new software including something called the “Aspirated Torque Shaping” (ATS) system that uses electronic controls to sculpt the torque curve.
All in all, the Ferrari 12Cilindri is able to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/h in under 7.9 seconds, as it pushes all the way to a VMax of over 340 km/h. Ferrari says that 80% of the torque is already available from just 2,500 rpm, resulting in instantaneous throttle response, and a “feeling of never-ending power all the way to the red line”. Delicious.
To help with performance, especially on track, Ferrari has also thrown in a litany of software features to help drivers extract all that added performance, including the ABS Evo system that debuted on the 296 GTB, and the 6D sensor that feeds information to control the Virtual Short Wheelbase (PCV) 3.0, four-wheel independent steering, and Side Slip Control (SSC) 8.0 systems.
The “near-ideal” 47.8:52.2 weight distribution, its relatively light weight at 1,560 kg dry (1,620 kg on the spider), and stiffer chassis certainly helps, too.
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Inside, the Ferrari dual-cockpit design seen previously on the Roma and Purosangue gives the passenger a sense of involvement to the driving experience thanks to an extra passenger touchscreen that can be configured for speed and data readout – just as well, since the infotainment functions can be accessed via the new 10.25-inch centre touchscreen in the centre, bringing the total up to three screens inside.
While the Prancing Horse hasn’t buckled to pressure and given us a smaller engine, they did at least incorporate some environmentally friendly touches to the interior, like the use of sustainable materials such as the Alcantara upholstery that now contains 65% recycled polyester.
Despite the additional convertible hardtop, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider weighs only 60 kilograms heavier than the normal two-seater berlinetta, and the roof only takes just 14 seconds to open or close. The Spider is of course the better way to savour the glorious V12, but if topless driving is not really your thing, the standard 12Clindri does get a “generously-sized” tinted glass roof that amplifies the airiness of the cabin.
Standard equipment on the Ferrari 12Cilindri in Malaysia include the 21-inch alloys wrapped in either Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres, a wireless charging pad on the inside, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The price tag surely does make the Ferrari 12Cilindri a car for “the few”, but the distinguished Ferraristi in Malaysia do at least get a standard seven-year maintenance programme with every purchase.
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