Ferrari 812 Superfast – Fast Facts

Ferrari has replaced the fearsome F12 Berlinetta and F12 TDF with an even more formidable V12 flagship called the 812 Superfast, which says what it does and does what it says.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. This is not the first time Ferrari has used the ‘Superfast’ name. Others include the Ferrari 410 Superfast revealed at the 1956 Paris motor show and the Ferrari 500 Superfast built between 1964 and 1966. Every Ferrari Superfast model has been V12-powered.

2. The 812 Superfast has outputs of 588kW and 718Nm. It can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds and to 200km/h in 7.9 seconds. It will go on to reach a top speed of 340km/h. The brand says it is the fastest and most powerful production Ferrari yet, but that claim doesn’t include limited-run, rear-engined vehicles like the LaFerrari.

3. The Superfast’s naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine is a larger, extensively revised version of the F12 Berlinetta’s 6.3-litre V12. It revs to 8900rpm and arrives 70 years after the Ferrari story started with its first V12 in 1947.

4. Ferrari redesigned the engine’s intake and exhaust paths for greater peak performance. Continuously variable intake runners change length at different points in the rev range. The technology was taken directly from Ferrari’s Formula 1 engines.

5. The V12’s peak power is reached at a screaming 8500rpm. Maximum torque arrives at a lofty 7000rpm, but at least 80% of that is available from 3500rpm.

6. Fuel is injected directly into each combustion chamber three times before each compression stroke via a high pressure ‘triple injection’ system running at more than 5000psi.

7. For optimal weight distribution, the front-engined 812 has a transaxle gearbox, which means the transmission is mounted in the back, between the rear wheels, and connected to the engine with a torque tube. The 812's 1630kg kerb weight is split 47:53, front to rear.

8. Ferrari says the 812’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is 30% faster to upshift and 40% faster to downshift than the F12 Berlinetta.

9. This is the first Ferrari to use electric power steering, rather than hydraulic. It uses the F12 TDF’s rear-wheel steering system with a new software calibration.

10. Every vent and duct of the 812’s bodywork is designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. That includes vanes in the front bumper that channel air striking the front of the car in a way that reduces the width of its wake and its overall drag. Flaps forward of the front wheels open above 180km/h to increase airflow under the car.

11. A flat underbody and three pairs of air dams are carried over from the F12 TDF and are responsible for 30% of the overall downforce increase compared to the F12 Berlinetta.

12. The 812’s rear diffuser has active elements that open at high speed to reduce drag.

13. Brembo ‘Extreme Design’ brakes taken from the LaFerrari will bring the 812 to a stop from 100km/h in 32 metres, which is 2.5 metres less than the F12 Berlinetta.

14. Project engineers have devised functions called Side Slip Control and Ferrari Power Oversteer, which help drivers drift and realign the 812 - whether deliberately exiting a corner sideways or not.