V12 up entrance, energy out the again.
Tim Stevens/Roadshow
In the broad, ill-defined spectrum of “modern” Ferraris, the F12 Berlinetta stands supreme in my guide. It is as sultry to behold as it’s sonorous to listen to, to not point out a real pleasure to drive aggressively. It’s additionally remarkably refined when cruising round city and simply an all-round fantastic machine. What can I say, I used to be fairly smitten again in 2014.

LikeOutrageous performanceBest. Sound. Ever.Remarkable, speed-focused know-how

Don’t LikeWide gulf between Sport and Race modesCarPlay is a $4,000 choice

Holding the F12 in such excessive regard means I’m bringing baggage into this evaluate of the Ferrari 812 Superfast. This, you see, is the 789-horsepower, $337,000 alternative for the F12, a brand new technology that is dialed up in each means. It’s louder, each visually and audibly, extra highly effective, extra excessive to drive and in the end fairly a bit faster round a racetrack. But is it really higher? Let’s discover. The platformThe 812 Superfast inherits that sweetest of Ferrari layouts: a V12 up entrance sending just a few stables value of ponies via to the rear wheels. Yes, I’ve full appreciation for the potential of machines just like the mid-engined 488 GTB, a automobile completely divine to drive on the street or the monitor, however in terms of the general expertise, 12 cylinders firing forward of you is an awfully exhausting recipe to beat.

Especially after they fireplace like this. Compared to the F12, the Superfast is barely longer and wider, but lighter than its predecessor. The earlier 6.3-liter V12 is changed with a 6.5-liter model of the identical, powered up from 730 hp to that ridiculous determine of 789. That’s paired with 530 pound-feet of torque, directed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.The result’s a automobile that is Ferrari’s quickest common manufacturing automobile, carrying its highest-power naturally-aspirated V12 ever. Plenty of that comes all the way down to the know-how holding all of it in verify, together with a extra superior stability and traction management system that may instantly combine every part from the rear-steering system to the brand new digital energy steering.

That’s all a step ahead, however visually I’ve to say the progress is not fairly so clear. Without a doubt the 812 Superfast is the extra aggressive trying of the 2 vehicles, with larger vents positioned extra acutely throughout the long-nosed physique. Where the F12 is sculpted in an virtually sensual means, the 812 is creased in a purposeful one. The older automobile is the extra pleasing to my eye, however that extra offended visible character within the new one is absolutely echoed in the way in which it drives.

This is a automobile that walks the stroll.On the streetThe steering of the Ferrari 812 Superfast is so extremely sharp that, when flying over a few of my favourite native roads, I barely wanted to show the wheel. Aided by a brand new rear-steering system that just about shortens the automobile’s wheelbase, just some levels of flip by hook or by crook despatched this machine slinging round bends that usually see me tapping the brakes and grabbing a decrease gear. I really had to search around for tougher roads — a sacrifice I used to be greater than keen to make for you, pricey reader.This can also be the primary avenue automobile I’ve ever pushed that required I aggressively heat up the tires earlier than actually unleashing it. Granted, my testing coincided with an early arrival of unhelpful autumn chill, however this Ferrari displays tire temperature and goes out of its approach to let you know after they’re chilly, politely requesting you get them as much as temperature earlier than enabling its raciest of driving modes. That’s a mode you will be utilizing extra usually than you may suppose. Curiously, the 812 is sluggish in its default driving mode of Sport. The throttle is not precisely lazy, however you will want numerous it earlier than getting the type of response you’d anticipate from a automobile with twice the horsepower of many different outrageously fast machines. The seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission is clean and sedate on this mode. Even the carbon-ceramic brakes are simple to modulate and, apart from a outstanding quantity of street noise and a few intimidating dimensions, the 812 is a breeze to pilot via city. It even has a cavernous trunk.
Tim Stevens/Roadshow

When pressed, that 6.5-liter V12’s music is absolute magic, the kind of shrill scream that made 1000’s line up alongside the entrance straight at Monza.

You must flip over to Race mode to liven issues up, and boy do they get vigorous. Under even average acceleration the 812 spins up its tires with out warning in a minimum of the primary six of its seven gears, hopping and skipping in a means that each makes you glad you are alive and grateful for contemporary traction management techniques. Its 0-to-62-mph time of two.9 sounds pessimistic to me, because the automobile leaps ahead due to each the additional 60 horses and likewise some shorter gearing.When pressed, that 6.5-liter V12’s music is absolute magic, the kind of shrill scream that made 1000’s line up alongside the entrance straight at Monza. It’s a music that is probably not lengthy for this world, a minimum of in new manufacturing vehicles, however let’s not fear about what the long run could maintain, for now that is among the many world’s finest sounding vehicles.In Race mode the 812 is brutally fast and outrageously enjoyable, however somewhat too aggressive for something wanting ultra-aggressive driving. But once more, in Sport mode issues are just too sedate. The solely different mode is Wet, which takes you additional within the mistaken course. In this manner I felt just like the F12 did a greater job of being thrilling with out being horrifying on the open street, however I’ve little doubt that newer 812 could be way more rewarding on the monitor. (Sadly, I wasn’t in a position to take a look at that speculation.)Also placing a damper on streetability is a navigation expertise that’s purposeful at finest paired with a voice recognition bundle that’s something however. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay is obtainable — however you will must pay a whopping $4,219 to allow it. Android Auto continues to be not on provide, however I get somewhat lightheaded occupied with what it might value have been it accessible.As with all Ferraris, the $337,000 beginning worth right here could be very a lot that, a begin. Tick all of the packing containers and you may come near doubling it, including tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in simply inside trim alone. The permutations are too many for me to presumably iterate right here, and given so a lot of them are preferences it might be inconceivable to make a superb advice appropriate for everybody — past the $5,737 nostril raise. But, in case you have the money, you possibly can absolutely get your self an 812 Superfast precisely the way you need it.Not as refined as its predecessor, however a remarkably potent performer.
Tim Stevens/Roadshow
Wrap-upIn phrases of outright efficiency, the Ferrari 812 Superfast is a triumph. Ferrari’s strongest naturally aspirated engine is about with care into a elegant chassis festooned with a world-class suspension, transmission, differential and all of the go-fast bits you may ever need. Unleashed and pushed in anger, piloted with objective, it is a outstanding bundle that may fairly actually depart you breathless.It’s additionally fairly simple to drive in a sedate means must you be into that, however there’s an unlucky hole in between these two extremes. When I needed to have a spirited drive with out going for lap data, I discovered the 812 to not be the world-conquering all-rounder I’d hoped.So, if you happen to discovered the F12 to be too gentle on your tastes and you have simply gotta have a V12, the amped-up, aggro 812 Superfast will probably be your ideally suited cup of tea — scalding sizzling and finest served with a warning label or three.