“This is not merely a V-12. This is the V-12.” Gianmaria Fulgenzi, chief product development officer at Ferrari, confidently asserts. The 2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri represents the apex of an engine format that has distinguished Ferrari for 77 years. It has been meticulously crafted to celebrate the exhilarating sound, fury, and performance that only a high-revving, naturally aspirated V-12 engine can provide.
The 12Cilindri, offered in both coupe and retractable hard-top Spider configurations, replaces the 812 Superfast. However, it also redefines the role of Ferrari’s front-engine, V-12-powered two-door, amidst a lineup now featuring a four-door SUV and a six-cylinder, plug-in hybrid mid-engine sports car. The design of the 12Cilindri harkens back to the spirit of legendary V-12 Ferrari GTs such as the Lusso and 275 GTB/4—vehicles noted for their speed and long-distance comfort.
As for the name? It’s Italian for … 12-cylinder. “The concept is straightforward,” says Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, describing the car’s name choice. “We aimed to celebrate the most vital aspect of our DNA. We never employ an external agency to choose our names, and when 12Cilindri was suggested, it was embraced by 99 percent of the team here.”
Let’s delve into the 12Cilindri’s raison d’etre. Code-named F140HD, the 6.5-liter V-12 under the sleek hood traces its lineage back to the engine that powered the Ferrari Enzo. This 65-degree V-12 features double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, with an architecture over two decades old. Officially, the F140HD is a thorough overhaul of the F140HC used in the 812 Competizione, and many of its components and technologies were previously previewed in the limited-edition mid-engine SP3 Daytona.
The F140HD engine is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ferrari engine ever. It can rev to an astounding 9,500 rpm, producing 818 hp at 9,250 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm. These remarkable crank speeds are achieved via titanium conrods that are 40 percent lighter than equivalent steel components, new pistons that are 2 percent lighter than those used in the 812 Competizione’s engine, and a rebalanced crankshaft that is 3 percent lighter.
All 48 valves operate through sliding finger cam followers, a low-mass, low-friction technology directly sourced from Ferrari’s Formula 1 engines. Additionally, fuel is injected into the combustion chambers via a high-pressure direct injection system, while exhaust gases exit through an innovative system featuring equal-length header pipes that connect to ceramic catalytic converters and particulate filters, enabling the V-12 to conform to the stringent Euro 6E emissions standards set for 2026 and beyond.
The F140HD drives the rear wheels through a state-of-the-art eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle transmission, granting the 12Cilindri an additional gear over the 812 Competizione. This development permits Ferrari to modify the transmission’s ratios and shifting patterns while increasing the torque delivered to the rear wheels by 12 percent, all while reducing shift times by 5 percent.
The 12Cilindri weighs in at 3,439 pounds (European dry weight, plus a few hundred pounds for the wet version) and boasts impressive performance metrics, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.9 seconds and reaching 124 mph in less than 7.9 seconds, with a top speed nearing 211 mph.
Much of the suspension and braking components are carried over from the 812 Competizione, including its differential. Nonetheless, the new all-aluminum chassis combines extrusions and castings, featuring a wheelbase that is 0.8 inches shorter and boasts 15 percent greater torsional rigidity. The 12Cilindri is also equipped with a rear-wheel steering system that debuted in the 812 Competizione, which enhances agility and stability as needed.
The 12Cilindri’s chassis is overseen by new software optimized for the six-axis vehicle motion controller and the brake-by-wire ABS Evo system introduced with the 296GTB. Dubbed SSC 8.0, this updated version of Ferrari’s dynamic control system exhibits a 10 percent faster learning curve and a 10 percent greater accuracy in estimating vehicle behavior in various scenarios.
Regarding tires, the 12Cilindri is available with Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires, specially developed for this model in new sizes: 275/35ZR21 at the front and 315/35ZR21 at the rear. Standard wheels are cast alloy, while options include wheels machined from solid aluminum billets, available for the coupe configuration.
Interestingly, the decision to utilize 21-inch wheels stemmed from the design team’s vision. Although engineers favored the lighter 20-inch wheels for their potential to improve control and accelerate quicker due to lower inertia, the adoption of 21-inch wheels exemplifies the numerous compromises optimally balancing form and function that defined the 12Cilindri’s development.
While the proportions of the 12Cilindri evoke classic front-engine V-12 coupes from Maranello, its surfacing, graphics, and detailing distinctly reflect a modern aesthetic. Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni highlights that their inspiration is rooted in the futurism of 1960s and ’70s Italian design and architecture, coupled with influences from iconic films like Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and George Lucas’s Star Wars. “We aspired to create a vehicle that honors our traditions while simultaneously embodying modernity,” he remarks.
The original 3D aerodynamic model of the 12Cilindri was described as a “chaos of elements.” Given the critical importance of aerodynamics for both performance and efficiency, the team, led by Ferrari’s Head of Exterior Design Andrea Militello, meticulously shaped the exterior to facilitate optimal airflow.
The collaboration between aerodynamicists and designers yielded ingenious solutions to maintain vehicle stability at higher speeds. Movable flaps located at each rear corner can articulate up to 10 degrees in the airflow between 38 mph and 186 mph. Beyond this threshold, a 1-inch lip along the rear—known as a “nolder”—ensures the 12Cilindri remains stable.
At a speed of 124 mph, Fulgenzi mentions that this system generates 110 pounds of downforce at the rear, effectively negating the necessity for a full-width active rear wing, which contributes to a surprisingly spacious boot. Additionally, it facilitates the bold delta-wing graphic surrounding the rear window, a design element that Manzoni particularly favors. “This is a prime example of collaborative engineering and design input,” he adds.
As expected from a brand that also operates a Formula 1 team, Ferrari has incorporated notable aerodynamic strategies hidden beneath the 12Cilindri.
The front underbody features three pairs of vortex generators enhancing downforce on the front wheels, while the central underbody is designed to channel airflow toward the rear diffuser. Additional vortex generators are placed strategically between the rear wheels, while carefully designed vents manage hot air extraction from the engine and radiators away from the downforce-generating surfaces below. Hot air is effectively evacuated from the engine space utilizing two vents located on the hood.
Strictly a two-seater, the 12Cilindri includes a generous trunk space, along with a shelf behind the seats for extra luggage. The interior, under the guidance of Fabio Massari, Ferrari’s Head of Interior Design, is characterized by sleek binnacles arching toward the driver and passenger.
Within the driver’s binnacle, a 15.6-inch digital instrument panel delivers comprehensive functionality akin to the Ferrari 296GTB and Roma. The passenger binnacle features a narrow 8.8-inch screen, which can display a diverse array of information to engage or entertain.
Between these two components, a landscape-oriented 10.25-inch touchscreen rises above a center console, crafted in an aluminum structure that mirrors the delta-wing graphic at the rear. This luxurious Ferrari seamlessly integrates everyday conveniences, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with a wireless charging mat within the center console.
Standard seating consists of what Ferrari refers to as comfort seats, while lightweight carbon-shell sport seats are available as an option. Buyers of the coupe can select from three roof options: glass, aluminum, or carbon fiber, while the Spider features a folding hard top operational at speeds up to 25 mph, capable of being deployed or retracted in just 14 seconds.
A premium 1,600-watt, 15-speaker Burmester audio system is available; however, having experienced the enchanting symphony of the proto-F140HD V-12 at 9,500 rpm during a drive in the SP3 Daytona, one might wonder why one would opt to use the audio system at all. The 12Cilindri aims to deliver one of the most stirring soundtracks among modern Ferraris, with the coupe set to be available in the U.S. in early 2025, followed closely by the Spider.
The U.S. represents a significant market for a model that Ferrari labels as “for the few,” prompting the unique decision to publicly unveil the 12Cilindri outside of Italy, in Miami. This event coincides with the celebrations of Ferrari’s 70-year presence in the U.S. “A substantial portion of our V-12 enthusiasts reside in the U.S.,” adds Galliera.
As Enzo Ferrari famously stated, “A GT is for someone who wants to stand out.” The Ferrari 12Cilindri truly embodies that philosophy. For those entitled to distinguishing themselves, while exact prices have yet to be disclosed in America, the 12Cilindri coupe is expected to retail in Italy for approximately $425,000 and the Spider for just under $470,000, based on current exchange rates.
