The stunning Ferrari 812 Superfast made its
Australasian premiere this morning following its world reveal in Geneva three
months ago, and slated delivery to local buyers in early 2018. The 812
Superfast succeeds the F12berlinetta as the front-mid engine V12 flagship of
Ferrari’s series production range. Ferrari has been making V12s for 70 years
and never been without one.
It offers a shattering 75 per cent new engine,
making it the most powerful and fastest road-going Ferrari ever built – with
the exception of the rear-engined special limited-series 12-cylinder models.
The stroked 65-degree NA V12 grows in displacement to 6.5-litres, and makes
800 hp of power at 8500 rpm and 718 Nm of torque at a screaming 7000 rpm, though 80
per cent of this can be accessed at 3500 rpm.
The engine redlines at 8900 rpm, giving top-end
performance a modern turbo or electrified option cannot. The bigger capacity
engine also enriches the exhaust note over the F12. The 812 Superfast gets a
revised Virtual Short Wheelbase system that combines electric front steering
assistance (a Ferrari first) and mechanical rear-wheel steering that turns the
back tyres the same direction as the front at high speeds.
There’s also version 5.0 Side Slip Control, that
aforementioned Ferrari-first EPAS system, improved air cooling and various
adjustable aero aids to improve downforce up to 10 per cent.
Nobody who needs to know this can
afford one – but the 812 Superfast has a recommended retail price of AUD 610,000.
