Ferrari’s Most Traditional Layout (FE, RWD, V12)

If you were to ask anyone who are Ferrari, most would think of them as the creators of the mid-engine supercar, the pioneers if you will. This primarily comes from the fact that their most popular model range tends to be their baby supercars like the 458, 488 and 296. However, this is quite a severe overstatement.

Lamborghini are in fact the pioneers of the supercar, building the first mid-engine dream machine with the Miura. Ferrari merely copied this recipe starting with the 246 GT. Prior to this all of Ferrari’s road cars followed a similar recipe. A beautifully sculpted aluminium and hand crafted body, drive solely to the rear wheels and an enormous V12 up front.

Ferrari’s first road car, the 166 Inter that was launched in 1948 and followed this recipe as have many lesser-known icons like the 250 series, 550 Maranello, Daytona and F12. Today this iconic lineage is carried by the 12Cilindri, Ferrari’s most modern and powerful production front-engine, rear-drive, V12 GT, and their most traditional car.

Modern Ferraris tend to be very different from the cars that started their series. The 296 is far removed from the likes of the F430, 458 and 355, being a twin-turbo hybrid V6 instead of a V8. The halo cars change their status quo so often and the 2+2 GT Fezzas are now all gone in place of the Roma and the Purosangue SUV.

The 12Cilindri doesn’t have a hybrid motor and its V12 is pure and naturally aspirated, drive is sent solely to the rear wheels. To many, it symbolises what made Ferrari great in the first place. Raw pure power, a more old-school drive and a classical design. Its old-school charm and approach is what make many consider it to be Ferrari’s best current car.

Design Inspired By the Daytona

Ferrari’s design tends to follow a modern approach to the past, often a similar classic profile but modernised for the 21st Century. Many of their cars designs take inspiration from the past but with an overall modern touch to not feel out of place. Like how the 296’s rear is inspired by the 246 GT, Ferrari’s first mid-engine supercar.

The 12Cilindri is the most obvious case of this. The design of the car takes direct inspiration from the iconic 365 GTB/4 aka the Daytona. From its gorgeous long bonnet to its rectangle-shaped headlights and short rear, it is essentially a Daytona for modern times. Proportion-wise, it is arguably one of the most beautiful cars in the world right now.

A Silly Name That States the Obvious

You would think that a company as exotic and desirable as Ferrari would bequeath its cars with names that are glorious and majestic as the cars themselves. However Ferrari’s naming system tends to be quite silly. We’ve had Speciale (Special), Pista (Track), Scuderia (Team) and of course, Tributo (Tribute).

These names very much state the obvious of what the car in essence is. This is especially true of the 12Cilindri, which quite literally means 12 Cylinder. An acronym for the fact this car has a 12-cylinder unit. To be exact a 6.5l naturally aspirated 819 horsepower V12 with 500 lb-ft of torque. Still, at least it’s better than its predecessor, the Superfast.

Underneath it’s a Competizione

When Ferrari launched the F8 Tributo back in 2019, they heavily marketed it as a brand new car, Ferrari’s latest baby supercar. Except this was clearly false marketing. Underneath its rather ugly body, the F8 was a slightly softened down 488 Pista. It had the same engine, the same horsepower, the same chassis, same everything. The 12Cilindri is no different.

Underneath its beautiful body, it’s a softened-down 812 Competizione. It has the same engine, produces the same 819 horsepower, both top out at 211mph and both feature rear-wheel steering and similar active aerodynamics. The only difference was 10 lb-ft less torque in the 12Cilindri and the overall more subdued soundtrack. A car more tuned for general touring than for blasting and tracking like the Competizione.

The Vanquish and Continental GT Speed are its main rivals

Before one sets apart the near $400,000 on a 12Cilindri, there are two cars one must consider it. One of them is the new Aston Martin Vanquish, the most powerful and potent monster made by Gaydon’s finest. With a top speed of 214mph and 824 horsepower, the Aston would appear the more potent speed machine.

The other is the fourth generation Bentley Continental GT Speed, Bentley’s hybrid variant of their two decade old icon. With more torque, it too appears to be more potent than Ferrari and will almost certainly be the superior GT. However, the Ferrari will often be the victor in most drag races due to its lower weight and therefore better power-to-weight ratio.

Ferrari’s Potential Last Non-Hybrid V12

I mentioned earlier that Ferrari’s approach to the 12Cilindri was very similar to the F8 Tributo. A softened-down quieter version of the previous generation's hardcore model, the 488 Pista. Now in truth. Ferrari built the F8 Tributo as the final mid-engine V8 before switching to a hybrid V6 with the 296. It’s called the Tributo because it is in essence a Tribute to Ferrari’s mid-mounted V8 supercars. The final encore before things changed with the 296. The 12Cilindri is virtually the same.

Its name is to celebrate the V12 that has been at the heart of Ferrari for Nearly 80 years. Ferrari’s have made a vast array of fantastic engines but none quite speak to petrolheads like the V12. Sadly with the imminent pressure of emissions and stringent regulations, Ferrari’s iconic V12 will soon meet its end, or get a hybrid boost like in the Lamborghini Revuelto. But all that’s confirmed is the 12Cilindri will undoubtedly be the final swansong for the non-hybrid V12 Ferraris. And what a way to go out.

F1rstMotors Facts and Figures

Manufacturer	Ferrari S.p.A
Model	12Cilindri
Year of Release	2024
Engine	6.5L Naturally-Aspirated V12
Horsepower	819hp
Torque	500 lb–ft
0–62mph (100km/h)	3 seconds
Top Speed	211mph (340 km/h)
Weight	1,560kg (1.6 tonnes)
Power to Weight	525 hp per tonne
Gearbox	8–speed Dual Clutch
Driven Wheels	Rear Wheel Drive
Rivals	Aston Martin Vanquish, Bentley Continental GT Speed

Source: Ferrari