Ferrari F12 review, test drive

Ferrari’s new supercar, the F12, looks to blend the comfort of a GT with the mind-numbing speed of a supercar. And, I’m here in Maranello to try and tame the 730 horses under the hood of Ferrari’s F12.

The F12’s hunkered down shape gets your attention immediately, it looks very purposeful in profile and there are some genuinely unique bits like the ‘Aero Bridge’ that tunnels through the fender for greater aerodynamic stability. What’s missing, however, is that supermodel-like, long-limbed elegance that earlier Ferraris like the Daytona, Dino, 308 or even the F40 possessed; Ferraris from an era when designer Leonardo Fioravanti was at Pininfarina. The F12, to me, seems almost too aggressive, large-mouthed and a bit overdone.

This car may be lower than the preceding 599 for greater stability, and have a shorter wheelbase for increased agility, but it’s easily as plush and as comfortable in here as in a Bentley. The large, leather-lined seats may look like racing buckets, but they’re very supportive when the g’s build up.

As with many modern Ferraris, a large central tachometer takes pride of place; as it should. It’s redlined at 8700rpm – incredibly high for a large-capacity V12 – and the column-mounted gearshift paddles are big too. Ferrari has also made sure nothing obstructs the steering wheel and paddles. The turn indicator switches are mounted on the steering wheel to reduce clutter and there is no gear lever either.

Technical secrets behind the Ferrari F12