F12berlinetta
Coming fast, and soon — the F12berlinetta, the quickest Prancing Horse road car ever.
“This car is a technical marvel,” said Gary Simon, sales manager for Scottsdale Ferrari-Maserati, during the supercar’s Valley debut, March 2, at Silverleaf Country Club in north Scottsdale.
Overseen by General Manager John Schlitt, the dealership, 6825 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, is part of the worldwide Penske Automotive Group.
Collaboratively designed by the Ferrari Style Centre and Pininfarina, the F12berlinetta, Ferrari’s replacement for the 599 GTB, was first shown to the public, March 6, 2012, at The Geneva International Motor Show.
Immediately, admirers noted the aerodynamic hood and fender curves that continue through the door panels to the dramatic rear of the car, which incorporates, among other details, a new rear diffuser design. The rear also incorporates Ferrari’s traditional two tail-lights, but this time with a full-LED circular design and an F1-inspired fog light.
The Europeans loved the F12berlinetta. In France, L’Automobile Magazine named the F12berlinetta “Best Coupé”; The Sunday Times awarded it “Best Supercar and Luxury Car”; and BBC’s Top Gear Magazine, “Supercar of the Year 2012”. EVO made the F12’s V-12 engine its 2012 “Engine of the Year.”
In addition, Auto Bild readers voted it “Europe’s best-looking” and recently followed this with a 2012 Goldenes Lenkrad Award, in conjunction with Bild am Sonntag newspaper — the first time a Ferrari has won this since the Golden Steering Wheel program began 37 years ago.
“Tonight, 66 years after Enzo Ferrari introduced his first car, the 125, with its beautiful, jewel-like 1.5-liter 12-cylinder engine, we are here to usher in a car with the latest generation of Ferrari’s legendary 12-cylinder engine,” Simon explained to the Ferristas at the private invitation-only event. “The F12berlinetta stands on tall shoulders — the 250 Tour De France, 250 SWB, the legendary GTO and the Daytona, to name just a few.
“All are past Ferrari’s powered by this remarkable engine design — a small, lightweight V–12 that would define Enzo Ferrari’s legacy,” he continued. And, just as those cars defined performance in their era, so the F12berlinetta will provide the new standard for performance in this era.”
More Go for the Gas
Not just Maranello hype: The new front mid-engine, all-aluminum V-12 rips out 730 horsepower at 8250 rpm, 118 horsepower more than the 599 GTB — an extraordinary spike in performance in any generation. A 7-speed, dual-clutch, Getrag transmission, with closer gear ratios than those in the 599, ensures power through all rev bands up to the car’s 8750 rpm redline.
The naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V-12 has a compression ratio of 13.5-to 1 — the highest figure for any current production car — helping this extraordinary car produce 509 lbs-ft of torque at 6000 rpm, with 80 percent of that amount available as quickly as 2500 rpm.
Your down-to-basics stats: 0–60 mph in less than three seconds — world-class fast for the street — and a top speed of 211 mph, which will deliver you to the golf club, San Diego or Monterey speedily, indeed. On Ferrari’s Fiorano race track, in Maranello, the F12berlinetta completed a lap in one minute and 23 seconds, faster than that attained before in any Ferrari road car, including the great Enzo.
And, Simon notes, the F12berlinetta produces better gas mileage and 30 per cent less emissions than the 599 GTB it replaced .
Got your heart pumping?
Tighter, Lighter, Lower
Schlitt expects the first F12berlinetta to be delivered to the dealership in July 2013, at a base MSRP of $323,338. More than 80 options are available, including handmade luggage and many carbon fiber components.
“Ferrari wanted a their new car to be smaller, lighter and have a lower center of gravity, so both the driver and the engine sit lower in the car, the wheelbase has been shortened, and the height and width of the car have been reduced,” Simon explains, noting that the weight distribution is now 46 percent front and 54 percent rear — “a remarkable feat for a front-engine car.”
Under the direction of Scaglietti, the chassis and body shell incorporate 12 different aluminum alloys — some never used before in the automotive sector — to produce a car with 20 percent more torsional rigidity and a weight reduction in standard trim of more than 100 pounds compared to the 599.
“Even more impressive, the F12 is the most aerodynamic Ferrari ever built, with a co-efficient of drag of just .299, yet it can produce 270 pounds of down force at 120 mph,” he says. “That is 76 percent more down force than the 599, and the F12 does all this without the use of wings of any kind.”
Extensive experience in Formula 1 racing and wind tunnel testing stimulated innovations to improve shape airflow over and under the car, he explains.
The Aero Bridge, for example, is incorporated in the design of the hood and front fenders, creating extensive down force by deflecting air to the flanks, where, with the wake of air traveling through the wheel wells, it reduces drag.
And, Active Brake Cooling opens vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, also decreasing drag. The carbon-ceramic brakes are the latest generation from Ferrari – smaller, lighter but providing significantly reduced stopping distances.
In addition, Ferrari has installed a blown spoiler at the rear of the car and, Simon explains, “a wildly complex underbody that utilizes splitters, air dams, and diffusers to direct and smooth airflow under the car.”
Stability has been improved, too. Magnetorheological suspension and advanced vehicle control systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac and high-performance ABS) have been integrated through a faster ECU and quicker steering to provide better car control and higher cornering speeds.
In-cabin space, ergonomics and comfort are, of course, best in class. Additional luggage capacity has been provided behind the seats, with easy accessibility from the cabin to the trunk. The newly designed Poltrona Frau leather interior complements handcrafted details such as aeronautically inspired carbon fiber and aluminum air vents.
Premium Care for Pure Bred Cars
Your F12berlinetta will receive the world-class service you expect for a world-class car. Conveniently located just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, Scottsdale Ferrari-Maserati offers a workshop with 12 dedicated bays and staffed with experienced Ferrari-and Maserati-certified technicians.
In addition, the dealership maintains a large parts inventory, a well-stocked boutique and an extensive selection of quality pre-owned exotic and premium luxury automobiles. Simon and his dealership associates can even help to arrange a finance or lease program for your F12berlinetta or any of their other Ferraris, Maseratis or other fine pre-owned cars.
“As a Penske Automotive Group dealership, we strive to earn your business for all of your current and future driving needs,” Schlitt says. “Our comprehensive Web site offers custom descriptions, numerous photos — and even videos of our new and used cars. Already own a Ferrari or Maserati? You can now schedule your next service appointment right on our website!”
See www.scottsdaleferrari.com, call Gary Simon at 888.964.6056 or e-mail him at gsimon@penskeautomotive.com.