Ferrari F12 Speciale
Ferrari is believed to
be putting the finishing touches to a lightweight Speciale version of its F12
flagship, to be unveiled possibly as early as the Geneva motor show next March.
It is thought not to be
a limited-edition model but a full-scale production car like the 458 Speciale.
The standard F12 Berlinetta will continue in production alongside it.
The F12 Speciale is
understood to weigh up to 200 kg less than the standard car (at about 1430 kg)
and the power output of its 6.2-litre V12 engine has increased from 730 bhp to
760 bhp.
If that is the case,
this will elevate its power-to-weight ratio from 447 bhp per tonne to 531 bhp
per tonne. That would not only give it clear bragging rights over its closest
rival, the Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce (485 bhp per tonne), but
would also put its performance on a par with that of the Porsche 918 Spyder
hypercar.
Expect a
traction-limited 0-62 mph time of 3.0 seconds or less, although the 211 mph top
speed of the current F12 may actually be reduced due to increased drag
resulting from the extreme aerodynamics package with which the car is believed
to be equipped.
It is not yet clear
what measures Ferrari has taken to remove so much weight from the F12 - more
than double the 95 kg saved in turning the 458 Italia into the 458 Speciale.
But expect every area to have contributed, with lightweight body panels,
thinner or Perspex windows and ultra-lightweight wheels.
Expect the interior to
be stripped of all but the essentials, including carpets, sound deadening and
sat-nav, although most of the deleted items are likely to remain on the options
list, so that those who want to travel in relative comfort in their F12
Speciale can do so.
The F12 Speciale will
receive a unique tune for its suspension and steering, as well as optimised
safety and stability systems designed to make the car as adept on a circuit as
on the road.
The F12 Speciale is
likely not only to be a very special Ferrari but also a significant one,
because it may be the last normally aspirated, non-hybrid production Ferrari to
go on sale. Both of Ferrari’s V8 models - the California T and 488 GTB are now
turbocharged, while Maranello has stated clearly that future V12 models will be
harnessed to electric motors, like the powertrain in the firm’s LaFerrari
hypercar.
There is no word on
price, but given that the F12 Berlinetta has a list price of £ 240,083 and that
the 458 Speciale is a good £ 30,000 more than the standard 458 Italia, it is unlikely
that buyers will receive much change from £ 300,000. But for a car that
promises to be in the same performance bracket as the £ 781,000 918 Spyder,
some may well see it as a bargain.
Source : Autocar
