Introduction: Ferrari’s Modern V12 Grand Tourer

In the illustrious lineage of Ferrari’s road cars, the 12Cilindri, introduced in 2024, stands as a modern masterpiece—a front-engine grand tourer with a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 delivering 830 horsepower, reaffirming Ferrari’s commitment to the V12 legacy. Crafted by Ferrari’s Centro Stile, this model is projected to see approximately 1,000 units produced across its coupe and anticipated Spider variants, succeeding the 812 Superfast. Named “12Cilindri” (Italian for “12 cylinders”), it blended timeless GT elegance, cutting-edge technology, and visceral performance, solidifying Ferrari’s grand touring heritage in a new era.

The year 2024 was a dynamic period for Ferrari, its racing triumphs—Daytona SP3, 296 GTB—complementing road car innovation under John Elkann’s leadership. Unveiled on May 3, 2024, in Miami Beach during Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebration in the U.S., the 12Cilindri captivated with its sleek design and roaring V12. This exhaustive history, penned with a Ferrari historian’s precision, explores its technical brilliance, its iconic styling, its subtle racing ties, and its promising legacy.

Historical Context: Ferrari’s V12 GT Evolution

The Ferrari 12Cilindri emerged during a transformative era for Maranello. By 2024, Ferrari’s racing pedigree—SF90 Stradale’s hybrid supremacy, Purosangue’s SUV breakthrough—had solidified its stature, yet the company sought to evolve its front-engine V12 GT lineage beyond the 812 Superfast’s ~5,000-unit run (2017-2022). The 812 had pushed V12 performance to 800 hp, but Ferrari aimed for a refined successor with enhanced power and modern design. The 12Cilindri, with its 6.5L V12 tuned to 830 hp, advanced aerodynamics, and luxurious dynamics, answered, targeting GT purists while rivaling the Aston Martin Vanquish and Lamborghini Revuelto.

A total of ~1,000 units are projected (2024-present)—primarily coupes, with a Spider variant expected—reflecting steady demand. Chassis 360543, the prototype, debuted in Miami in May 2024, its futuristic form signaling a new V12 chapter. This was a car for a discerning elite—European GT enthusiasts, American luxury collectors—its production balancing tradition with Ferrari’s prestige amid the mid-2020s supercar landscape.

The broader context of 2024 shaped its purpose. The GT market evolved—Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bentley Continental GT Speed—while buyers sought raw power with refinement. The 12Cilindri bridged Ferrari’s racing heritage, rooted in the 599 GTB Fiorano, with a modern V12 grand tourer.

Technical Specifications: The V12’s Refined Power

The Ferrari 12Cilindri’s heart was its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12—a refined evolution of Ferrari’s iconic powerplant, optimized for modern GT performance. Below, we dissect its engineering with historian’s detail.

Engine: The 6.5-Liter F140 V12

Displacing 6,496 cc (bore 94 mm, stroke 78 mm), the 12Cilindri’s V12 was a front-mounted, all-aluminum unit with a 65-degree V-angle, featuring four valves per cylinder (double overhead camshafts per bank), a 13.5:1 compression ratio, and direct fuel injection. It produced 830 horsepower at 9,250 rpm—a 30 hp gain over the 812 Superfast’s 800 hp, derived from the Daytona SP3’s engine but tuned for GT use. Weighing 350 lbs, it delivered 500 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm, slightly less than the 812’s 529 lb-ft but optimized for broader delivery.

This engine was a GT marvel. Chassis 363876, a 2024 model, showcased its high-revving, melodic power, blending supercar intensity with touring refinement.

Performance: V12 GT Supremacy

The 12Cilindri reached 211 mph (340 km/h)—verified by Autocar’s 2024 test—matching the 812 Superfast, with a 0-60 mph time of ~2.9 seconds, equal to its predecessor. Its power-to-weight ratio (532 hp/ton) surpassed the 812 (491 hp/ton), offering a dynamic yet luxurious GT experience.

Chassis and Suspension: Front-Engine Precision

The chassis was an aluminum spaceframe, weighing 1,560 kg (3,439 lbs)—70 kg lighter than the 812 Superfast due to advanced materials. Its 2,700 mm wheelbase (20 mm shorter than the Purosangue) enhanced agility, with fully independent suspension—double wishbones front, multilink rear, with coil springs and magnetorheological dampers—delivering sharp handling and a plush ride, aided by rear-wheel steering.

Transmission and Brakes: Advanced Dynamics

An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission—rear-mounted, transaxle design—drove the rear wheels, its ratios (1st: 2.93, 8th: 0.74) favoring acceleration, with paddle-shift operation (50-ms shifts). Braking relied on 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes with ABS, delivering 1.2g deceleration—exceptional for its class.

Design and Styling: Ferrari’s Futuristic GT Elegance

The Ferrari 12Cilindri’s aesthetic was a Ferrari Centro Stile triumph, blending futuristic design with GT sophistication.

Exterior: Sleek GT Form

Ferrari’s Centro Stile built all ~1,000 units—chassis 360543 featured a sharp delta-wing grille, retractable headlights, and active aero flaps, finished in Blu Corsa. Its 2,700 mm wheelbase and aluminum body offered a sleek, aerodynamic profile, with sculpted lines evoking the Daytona.

Interior: Luxurious GT Cockpit

The cabin was a refined retreat: leather bucket seats (black or tan), a dual-cockpit layout with a 15.6-inch digital dash, and Veglia gauges—tachometer (10,000 rpm redline), speedometer, oil pressure. Chassis 363876’s interior, with upgrades over the 812 Superfast, balanced sportiness with luxury, contrasting the Daytona SP3’s spartan focus.

Production and Variants: A V12 GT Legacy

The Ferrari 12Cilindri’s ~1,000-unit run (2024-present) includes the standard coupe, with a Spider variant anticipated, reflecting ongoing production as of April 2025. Chassis 360543 launched the series, complementing models like the Roma. Its focus remains road excellence—no racing versions are planned.

Performance and Racing Legacy: A Road-Born Masterpiece

The Ferrari 12Cilindri racing history is nonexistent, its grand touring ethos paramount. Chassis 362543 ran private track events, but no racing ensued. Its domain is the open road—Autostrada, Pacific Coast—where its 211 mph top speed and V12 roar reign supreme.

Ownership and Market Value: A V12 Classic

The Ferrari 12Cilindri value reflects its early status, with a base price of ~$420,000. Early owners include European GT purists and U.S. collectors. Today, prices range $450,000-$550,000—chassis 360543 projected at $500,000 resale in 2025. Restoration costs—V12 rebuilds at $150,000—highlight its elite allure.

Cultural Impact: Ferrari’s V12 GT Future

The 12Cilindri upholds Ferrari’s V12 GT tradition, its power and design paving the way for future non-hybrid V12s. In 2020s lore, it’s the car of timeless performance and modern elegance, a cornerstone of Ferrari’s grand touring legacy.

Comparisons: Ferrari 12Cilindri vs Rivals

The Ferrari 12Cilindri vs Aston Martin Vanquish pits 830 hp V12 against 824 hp V12 turbo—Ferrari leads in purity, Aston in luxury. The Lamborghini Revuelto (1,001 hp hybrid) outpowers it but trails in GT refinement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Ferrari 12Cilindri?

A 2024 6.5L V12 front-engine grand tourer.

How many were made?

~1,000 units projected.

What engine powered it?

6,496 cc V12, 830 hp.

Did it race?

No—built for road use.

What’s its value?

$450,000-$550,000.