Ferrari 812

Ferrari 812 family at a glance

From the F12berlinetta to the 812

Ferrari developed the 812 Superfast as the successor to the F12berlinetta of 2012 and the track-oriented F12tdf. Internally it carries the type code F152M, a sign of how much it shares with the F12's aluminium spaceframe, but Ferrari changed most of the body panels, the engine and the electronics. The rear-wheel-steering system called Virtual Short Wheelbase came from the F12tdf in a second version.

The name follows the logic of the F12 and earlier Ferraris: "812" stands for 800 PS and 12 cylinders. "Superfast" goes back to the Ferrari 500 Superfast of 1964, a V12 grand tourer built in small numbers for wealthy customers. Ferrari launched the 812 in its 70th anniversary year and offered a special colour called Rosso Settanta.

The F140 GA V12

The engine is an enlarged version of the F12's 6.3-litre V12, with 6,496 cc and direct injection at up to 350 bar. It produces 588 kW at 8,500 rpm and 718 Nm at 7,000 rpm. According to Ferrari, 80 % of the torque is already available at 3,500 rpm, which makes the car easy to drive in traffic despite its high peak revs. By our calculation the V12 delivers 90.5 kW per litre without turbochargers.

A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, based on the unit from the 458 and supplied by Getrag, is mounted at the rear axle. This transaxle layout puts 53 % of the weight over the rear wheels. Ferrari quotes 2.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 7.9 seconds to 200 km/h and a top speed of 340 km/h. Motor Trend measured 0–60 mph in 2.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 10.4 seconds in 2018.

Chassis, steering and aerodynamics

The 812 Superfast was the first Ferrari with electric power steering. It works together with Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0, which turns the rear wheels slightly to make the long car feel shorter in tight corners and steadier at speed. Side Slip Control and magnetorheological dampers complete the electronic package.

Aerodynamic changes include active flaps in the rear diffuser that open at high speed to reduce drag. The brakes are Brembo carbon-ceramic units with 398 mm discs at the front and 360 mm at the rear, and the standard tyres are Pirelli P Zero in 275/35 ZR20 and 315/35 ZR20. On Ferrari's Fiorano test track the Superfast lapped in 1:21.50, half a second slower than the F12tdf. Our power-to-weight calculator shows the 2.59 kg per kW that the coupé achieves on its dry weight.

812 GTS: the open V12

Ferrari presented the 812 GTS in September 2019. It was the first series-production spider with a front-mounted V12 from Maranello since the 365 GTS/4 of 1969. A retractable hard top opens or closes in 14 seconds at speeds up to 45 km/h. The electric rear window can be lowered with the roof up, so the occupants hear more of the engine.

The mechanical specification is the same as the Superfast's, with 588 kW, 718 Nm and a top speed of 340 km/h. The GTS weighs 75 kg more and reaches 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds. In the cabin, small L-shaped deflectors at the top corners of the windscreen guide the air over the occupants, a solution first used on the LaFerrari Aperta. Ferrari did not limit production of the GTS.

812 Competizione and Competizione A

On 5 May 2021 Ferrari revealed the 812 Competizione coupé and the 812 Competizione A, a targa with a removable carbon roof panel. They were limited to 999 and 599 cars and were sold out before deliveries began. The V12 was reworked to produce 610 kW (830 PS) at 9,250 rpm and to rev to 9,500 rpm, while torque fell slightly to 692 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

The Competizione models also added independent steering of each rear wheel and reworked aerodynamics, and the coupé is lighter than the Superfast. The coupé weighs 1,487 kg dry, reaches 100 km/h in 2.85 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Its engine, known as the F140 HD, later moved into the Ferrari 12Cilindri with the same 610 kW.

What the 812 cost and when it ended

In Germany the 812 Superfast was listed at €282,934 including VAT when it went on sale in 2017. Reported European starting prices for the later models were about €390,000 for the GTS, €500,000 for the Competizione and €575,000 for the Competizione A, before options. The standard equipment of the coupé already included 20-inch forged wheels, LED lights, dual-zone climate control, a passenger touchscreen and carbon-ceramic brakes.

Production of the 812 family ended in 2024, when the 12Cilindri replaced it. The new car uses an eight-speed gearbox and a more restrained body, and it no longer carries the power figure in its name.

812 against its rivals

The obvious rival was the Lamborghini Aventador, with a mid-mounted V12 and four-wheel drive. Our published comparison of the Ferrari 812 and Lamborghini Aventador puts their data side by side. Other alternatives in the 812's price range included the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and the McLaren 765LT. For the open GTS, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster was the closest match.