You can’t stand still in the supercar world. Your competitors are always busy building something faster, sleeker, brasher, and most definitely more expensive. It’s an automotive arms race.
Ferrari unveiled its latest cannon today, ahead of next month's Geneva International Motor Show: The 812 Superfast marks Maranello's fastest, most powerful production car ever.
Sure, there’s some historical significance here—the first Ferrari V12 premiered 70 years ago—and Ferrari has jumped on the chance to continue its tradition of giving cool cars stupid and unwieldy names (see: F12berlinetta, LaFerrari, GTC4Lusso). It's actually not the first 'Superfast'—the automaker debuted the 500 Superfast, also at the Geneva show, in 1964.
But this two-seater is really an exercise in numbers. The successor to Ferrari's F12berlinetta carries a 6.5 liter V12, good for around 800 horsepower when you rev the engine to 8,500 rpm. Max torque is 530 pound-feet, all of it pushed to the rear wheels. Zero to 60 mph comes in just 2.9 seconds; top speed is 211 mph. Price is still TBD.
Ferrari says this is its first car to have electric power steering, and the latest version of what it calls Side Slip Control, that tech that keeps wealthy customers from smashing their cars the moment all that power kicks in.
For enthusiasts, though, the 812 Superfast marks a bittersweet moment. Reports indicate this will be the last Ferrari to pack a naturally aspirated engine, before shifting its focus to powerplants with turbochargers and hybrid assists, in the name of improved emissions. Because even Ferrari must consider the health of the planet and bow to ever stricter regulations. At least this era of the prancing horse will close with a V12 roar.
