The 2024 Ferrari 12Cilindri with a nod towards the past.
by Wallace Wyss –
Ferrari is an aggressive automaker and you can’t always predict their next move. Just when you though their most sporty models will be mid-engined they come out with a new model that’s front engined and even has some of the styling of the last century late ‘60s front engine 365GTB/4 (Daytona). But they don’t call it Daytona because the name was used up on a mid engine SP model. But at least they are calling it “12Cilindri”. I think that’s a jab at Jaguar for announcing their last V-12. Ferrari’s name choice says “We will continue what we are famous for.”
The coupe will hit the market as a coupe and a spyder will follow in late this year. The price is in the low $400,000s.
The normally aspirated 6.5-liter V-12 is an outgrowth of the F140HD unit in the Icona series, the outgoing 812GTS, and the Purosangue SUV. With a redline of 9500 rpm, the dry-sump V-12 produces 819 horsepower at 9250 rpm with a maximum torque of 500 pound-feet at 7250 rpm.
Among the new features on the engine are variable-geometry intake ducts, a reduced-friction low-mass valve train and a new software strategy which electronically massages the twist action in third and fourth gear for more bottom-end to midrange oomph. As a result, more torque at lower revs–80 percent available from what used to be a modest rpm reading of 2500 rpm.
Since this model is designed for fast driving over a broad rev range, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission used in the 812 Competizione has been replaced by a closer-ratio, faster-shifting eight-speed. So even though it is 161 lbs. heavier than its predecessor, at 3439 pounds for the coupe model, they quote 2.9 seconds to 62 mph, which beats the Competizione by one tenth of a second. Zero-to-124-mph time is quoted at “under 7.9 seconds.”
Ferrari didn’t dwell on the original Daytona’s heavy steering but suffice to say this will be an easier car to drive. Torsional rigidity has been improved 15 percent, and rear-wheel steering is standard to enhance both maneuverability and stability. Weight is close to 50:50 being 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution.
Ferrari worked on improving electronic means of controlling the car at the limit making it better handling. The feature called Side Slip Control almost simultaneously combines grip estimation, recognition, and action. The brake-by-wire ABS Evo system has larger discs up front 15.7-inch compared to 14.2-inch carbon-ceramic rotors in the rear.
Wheel size goes up to 21-inches with buyer’s choice of Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear F1 Eagle SuperSport summer tires, sized 275/35ZR-21 in front and 315/35ZR-21 at the rear. The fuel tank is still at 24.3 gallons, but trunk volume shrunk about 10%.
There’s a new active-aero setup aimed at minimum drag when not needed to maximum downforce when needed. The top spoiler, has a set in place fixed centerpiece but two simultaneously acting movable lateral winglets, supported by a large full-width diffuser. There’s also a network of ducts and louvers, some of which perform a symphony of opening and closing selectively, to funnel cooling air to the brakes, radiators, oil coolers, and engine bay.
They even use a mini-windmill of sorts, two sets of complex vortex generators sunk into the floorplan and a pair of wheelhouse breathers to move air with a purpose. The front spoiler and the rear air deflectors aim to work together once you pass 100 mph for a full ground-effect with a 110-pound peak of rear downforce at 155 mph. At 186 mph, all aero variables are brought down to low-drag mode so that the 12Cilindri can reach its top speed of “over 211 mph.”
Here’s my take on the design:
FRONT Yes it’s retro but purposefully so. The flat space between the headlights is a similar angle to the original Daytona (you wonder if some owners will paint the strip between the headlamps silver as on some ‘60s-‘70s Daytonas). Here’s chrome below the headlights similar to the blade-like front bumpers on the original Daytona. The hood vents are similar to the original Daytona but up-dated to a more organic placement.
SIDE An exceptionally light looking design compared to the bulkiness of the original Daytona. Alas, the side engine compartment exhaust vent is stealing an Aston Martin design cue for many years. Why even raise the spectre of the enemy? The side view of the coupe shows no attempt to modernize the curved “gills” air vents on the original rear ¾ windows. In the roadster there are two fairings where the original had a nearly flat rear deck. Jaguar offered something similar a few years back but not on the regular model, only on a limited edition.
REAR Just when you are thinking you are getting a new version of the old Daytona you see the rear and that’s going to be controversial, first in the shape of the fastback rear window and then no round taillights. The blade-like taillights are restrained. The odd effect of the car color not going over the whole roof to the windshield in the roof is strange, and the flat black paint on the rear roof and deck lid are visually like a tunnel back on a 250 LM coupe but yet it’s a fastback. Methinks that tunnel back look should have been saved for a mid-engine coupe. The heavy looking black bumper looks too big—something for a GMC pickup truck. And the rectangular exhausts look retro, but not like the original Daytona. The spoiler is very well hidden, hardly noticed at legal street speeds.
IN SUM Ferrari is to be congratulated for not over-doing it on retro. They already have a “gentleman’s car” in the Roma so this is more a gentleman carrying brass knuckles—this one has the gear for battle if need be.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR Wallace Wyss is the author of three Ferrari books, and now a fine artist doing portraits of, yes, Ferraris. For a list of his works featuring the new Ferrari as well as many other models write malibucarart@gmail.com or text your email address to 213 344 6496.
Art by Wallace Wyss
Photos compliments of Ferrari.
Merci pour cette magnifique présentation pour ce modèle qui garde tout l’ADN de FERRARI, et qui fait toujours autant rever. Spectaculaire, c’est un veritable Chef d’oeuvre à s’offrir avec tout le respect quelle représente.
Thank you for this magnificent presentation for this model which retains all the DNA of FERRARI, and which still inspires dreams. Spectacular, it is a true masterpiece to be offered with all the respect it represents.
Another masterpiece! Love that Daytona Mask. We can only hope that as the years go by that Ferrari is able to hold onto the “Halo” V-12 engine and not succumb to all electric. There is still very much to be said for the bark of a V-12 coming to life at the turn of a key. It is visceral experience that compares to few. Even without a third pedal the interaction of paddle shifters and a tachometer means a great deal to those fortunate enough to pay the entrance fee. There is nothing comparable with an electric motor, nor will there ever be!
Disk wheels may work better that the ‘glitz’.
Missing ‘from the original Daytona’ proportions of the front windshield base being the mid-point of the side elevation.
J
Over all very nicely done, jury still out on the heavy black accent on the rear of the car but the shape is clearly refined and clean… I will likely be in the minority here but a legit non paddle shift manual gear box might have been a nice touch… Over all kudos… like the fact we are moving away from the boy racer multi accent body lines of recent years…
Someone figured out that clean and elegant would seem to go hand in hand…
I am not a fan of the wild angles, air scoops, and spoiler styles we have seen in the past 20 years or so, especially on mid-engine cars.
I like this front engine understated elegance that takes us back a few decades without “over-doing it on retro” as Wallace writes.
I agree with Jim Simpson that this car would be amazing with a legit manual gear box. It seems the trouble is that this much power with a manual trans is more than many of the fortunate few can control. With a dual clutch sequential box there are many electronic controls that can be deployed to protect the engine, the car, and the driver from unintentional destruction. We have all seen those youtube videos!