In July, Gentleman’s Journal paid a visit to Maranello, Italy, where we met up with Formula 1 and Ferrari hero Charles Leclerc, the cover star of our summer issue. ‘It’s a hot day in Maranello. Red hot. And not just because of the heat – metaphorical and otherwise – generated by the new Ferrari 12Cilindri ticking away as it cools down in the next-door room,’ wrote Rory FH Smith, our man on the ground for that occasion. ‘It’s finished in Ferrari’s classic shade of rosso-corsa red, naturally, and Leclerc can’t help but rev its V12 to the max… The noise ricochets around the room and he’s giggling like a boy behind the wheel of a fast car for the first time.’
Here, we take a quick-stop tour of the essentials you need to know regarding the Prancing Horse’s smooth-moving beast.
01. As expected from the marque, it packs a serious punch
Ferrari 12Cilindri, ferrari.com
If you hadn’t already deciphered from the name, this creation is equipped with a V12 engine – what the venture labels as ‘the purest expression of Ferrari’s spirit.’ 830hp can be achieved, and there’s a top speed of 211mph.
Moreover, the sliding finger followers open and close the valves, minimising the ‘coefficient of friction’ at crucial moments, and, in effect, maximising performance and output. For those who appreciate beautiful sonics, alterations, such as adjusting the position of the resonators on the intake line, have allowed for a fuller sound.
02. It’s dominated by fluid lines
Compared to more angular, aggressive styles, such as that of the 288 GTO, the 12Cilindri feels organic in its design vocab, with stripped-down flanks and a smooth form overall.
‘All of the lines are the result of intersections between the volumes and a more functional approach to form has been taken that eschews nostalgia,’ says Ferrari.
In specific terms, conventional features, such as the ‘traditional elongated form of the headlights and mouth-shaped grille’, have been jettisoned for a lyrical style – the headlights, notably, are folded into a one-piece wraparound band, and there’s a delta-wing-shaped bootlid that spreads the width of the rear.
03. There’s a dual cockpit
The pure spirit continues inside, as the near-symmetrical cabin comprises one module for the driver and another for the passenger, both of which seem to float seamlessly within the interior. (These two features are anchored by the central 10.25in touchscreen, which has command over all the basic functions.) Indented buttons on the steering wheel also provide an intuitive, instant and tactile activation experience.
04. New engineering is introduced
For the first time in the V12 line, the 12Cilindri draws upon brake-by-wire tech, which, in basic terms, provides the driver with varying brake force across all four wheels. (Also, perhaps most noticeable is that there’s been a 20mm reduction in wheelbase to 270cm.)
05. And it’ll cost you…
… €395,000 for the coupé and €435,000 for the Spider. It is expected that prices for the UK will be announced once the car reaches these shores in 2025.
Want more car content? Read our cover interview with Charles Leclerc…
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