Ferrari F12berlinetta vs Lamborghini Aventador: V12 rivals

The Ferrari F12berlinetta and the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 were the naturally aspirated V12 flagships of their makers in the early 2010s. Lamborghini launched the Aventador at the Geneva Motor Show on 28 February 2011 and built it until 2022. Ferrari answered at Geneva in 2012 with the F12berlinetta, which it built until early 2017, when the 812 Superfast replaced it. Both have more than 500 kW (700 PS) and both reach well over 300 km/h, but they put the engine in different places and drive different wheels.

In short: the F12 is a front-mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer with a dual-clutch gearbox and more power. The Aventador is a mid-engined, all-wheel-drive supercar with a carbon-fibre monocoque, a single-clutch automated gearbox and the higher top speed. Both are covered in our catalogue: Ferrari F12berlinetta and Lamborghini Aventador.

F12berlinetta vs Aventador: engine layout, gearbox and speed

Front-mid against mid-engine

Ferrari mounts the F12's 6,262 cc 65-degree V12, the F140 FC, behind the front axle and drives the rear wheels; its weight distribution is 48% front and 52% rear. Lamborghini places the 6.5-litre L539 V12 of the Aventador behind the cabin and sends power to all four wheels through a Haldex system. The Aventador's structure is a carbon-fibre monocoque.

• F12berlinetta: 544 kW (740 PS) at 8,250 rpm, 690 Nm at 6,000 rpm, rear-wheel drive
• Aventador LP 700-4: 515 kW (700 PS) at 8,250 rpm, 690 Nm at 5,500 rpm, all-wheel drive
• Top speed: 340 km/h against 350 km/h

Power and torque

Both engines rev to 8,250 rpm for peak power and both make 690 Nm. The Ferrari has 29 kW more, and it delivers its torque peak 500 rpm higher than the Lamborghini.

Gearboxes

The F12 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. The Aventador uses a seven-speed ISR single-clutch automated manual built by Graziano Trasmissioni. A dual-clutch design pre-selects the next gear on a second clutch; the ISR works with a single clutch, as an automated manual.

Acceleration and speed

Ferrari quotes 3.1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 8.5 seconds to 200 km/h and 340 km/h for the F12; it lapped Ferrari's Fiorano track in 1 minute 23 seconds. Lamborghini quotes 2.9 seconds to 100 km/h and an official 350 km/h for the LP 700-4. All-wheel drive explains the Aventador's quicker start despite less power.

Size, weight and aerodynamics

The Aventador is 4,780 mm long on a 2,700 mm wheelbase, with a dry weight of 1,575 kg. Our catalogue lists the F12 at 4,618 mm long, 1,942 mm wide and 1,273 mm high, against 1,136 mm for the much lower Lamborghini. Wikipedia lists 1,630 kg for the F12berlinetta. Ferrari's Aero Bridge channels air from the bonnet through the flanks, and the car produces 123 kg of downforce at 200 km/h. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard.

Special versions

The F12tdf of 2015 raised output to 574 kW (780 PS) and was limited to 799 cars. The Aventador range grew further: the S of 2016 with 544 kW and four-wheel steering, the SVJ with 566 kW and a 6:44.97 Nordschleife lap in July 2018, and the 574 kW Ultimae. Lamborghini built 11,831 Aventadors in total. Our catalogue records a German list price of €303,450 including VAT for the LP 700-4 in 2011.