Ferrari’s most powerful V12 road car revealed: The 812 Competizione!
Photos: Ferrari
The newly revealed Ferrari 812 Competizione and 812 Competizione A were unvieled live from the Fiorano track by Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera, and closes the series of the brand’s models with a special edition: 599 GTO and SA Aperta, F12 TDF…
The new model is a faithful expression of Ferrari’s fundamental belief that form must always follow function in a creative way. The 812 Competizione puts a focus on functionality and simplicity, and indeed the car has several mechanical and dynamic upgrades over the standard Superfast, and the use of carbon fiber made it possible to reduce the overall weight of the car compared to the 812 Superfast. The Competizione is 37kg lighter than the Superfast, at 1487kg dry.
On the other hand, the 812 Competizione A (A stands for Aperta) was also developed to experience the same emotion live in an open air while hearing the powerful V12 engine. It features a lightweight carbon fiber roof that is easy to remove and can be stored in the boot while leaving space for the luggages. The 812 Competizione A also has slightly lower flying buttresses compared to the coupe with a bridge that acts like a wing for aerodynamic efficiency.
Ferrari uses the design from the previous 812 Superfast to influence the look of the new one. The main differences between the 812 Superfast and 812 Competizione lies in the bodywork and aerodynamics with one purpose: to optimize downforce levels. However, the designers got adventurous when styling the exterior. The most striking aspects are the carbon fiber blade crossing the hood, and the rear window glass replaced by a one-piece aluminum structure integrated into the roof and equipped with Vortex generators which improves aerodynamic efficiency. Not to mention the new front air intakes, revised vents on the front and rear wheel arches to improve the cooling of the brakes, the new aggressive rear spoiler slits the round lights, and the rear diffuser has been completely redesigned with larger airflow tunnels, plus the vertical rectangular exhausts.
The interior preserves the interfaces and volumes of the 812 Superfast like the main dashboard. Other elements of the interior, like the door panel, has been redesigned to reduce weight and, combined with the introduction of the "H-Gate" theme.
The front-mounted V12’s power is up from 789 hp to 819 hp, Ferrari says the rev limit is up from 8900 rpm to 9500 rpm – 600rpm higher than the Superfast - so it’s Ferrari’s highest-revving production engine ever, the company says. The new Competizione model can sprint to 62mph in 2.9 seconds with a top speed past 211mph. Ferrari says that performance figures for the Competizione A are coming soon.
Ferrari modified many engine components, including a new timing/valve timing mechanism, as well as a new exhaust configuration system. The powertrain is also associated with the 7.0 version of the brand’s Slip Slide Control traction control system. At the chassis level, Ferrari has adopted an independent steering on all four wheels to improve agility and precision in the corners.
Beyond that, production will be limited to 999 coupes and 599 Apertas. All this performance and exclusivity comes at an equally high-price, starting from €500,000 and €750,000 for the Aperta.