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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed ahead of Geneva

Italian automaker says 730-horsepower monster is its fastest-ever road-going model.

By Joshua Condon Feb 29, 2012 11:03AM
Photo by Ferrari.The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has been officially unveiled ahead of the Geneva Motor Show.

The replacement for the 599 has a number of improvements over the outgoing model. Horsepower gets a massive bump, from 611 to 730; 509 lb-ft of torque is on tap, with 80 percent available at just 2,500 rpm. Curb weight drops from 3,722 pounds to 3,362 pounds, 56 percent of which rests over the rear axle. The F12 has a drag coefficient of 0.299 and stronger downforce compared with the 599, and structural rigidity improves by 20 percent. The all-new aluminum chassis was designed by Scaglietti and incorporates a dozen alloys. Basically, it's everything you want in a next-step Ferrari: stronger, stiffer, lighter and more powerful.

Also, it's gorgeous. The F12 Berlinetta, a styling collaboration between Pininfarina and Ferrari's in-house styling team, is lower and shorter compared with the 599, with a long hood, prominent headlights, the same slick grille seen on the FF and a sweeping, muscular frame.

Photo by Ferrari.As expected, the F12 is based on a mid-front-engine configuration with a transaxle layout. The 599's 6-speed automated manual transmission is out, replaced by an F1-style dual-clutch gearbox. The naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V12 engine -- cylinders are banked at 65 degrees -- help push the F12 to a top speed of 211 mph and can blast the car from standstill to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Its time around the Fiorano circuit, at 1:23, is faster than any other Ferrari of the road-going variety.

Photo by Ferrari.Check out Ferrari's quick overview video, below.

And here's Alonso and Massa reacting to the car:

The vehicle's official bow will take place in Geneva next week.

Photo by Ferrari.Photo by Ferrari.
[Video: ferrariworld on YouTube; source: Ferrari.]
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257Comments
ironpeddler2
Mar 3, 2012 1:43PM
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Howdy Doody,  How old are you?
ProBible
Mar 3, 2012 1:39PM
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@ reality.....dont be a sore loser! There is a place for the 04 GTO, but its not next to the Ferrair F12, I wouldnt even park them next to each other!

realityforme
Mar 3, 2012 1:39PM
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@probible

 

Residual value? Seriously? You do realize we're talking about performance cars here not base model honda civics. Yeah, cause when I modded my car I said, "boy I wonder how much residual value this procharger will have after 5 years and 12k miles annually." More like, "how much less residual rubber can this help burn off the back tires." Yep, go buy yourself a ferrari you've just proven my case- no soul...

Rocky Mtn High
Mar 3, 2012 1:38PM
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probible, can or will you honestly ever be able to get a car like this? Real men know what they want and don't drool over what they can't have. Ferrari doesn't do anything for me. Classic American muscle is what it's all about to me, not saying you have to like it. Go ahead and drool over this, but  is unmistakenly similar looking to a Corvette, that's a fact. For me, there is no better sound than an all-American V-8 rumble, no amount of your nonsense is going to change that.
frankit2
Mar 3, 2012 1:35PM
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Oh well, poor people have poor ways.  I will just have to stick with my CTS-V Cadillac.  At least it is made in the USA, and for anyrepair there is a dealer every 10 miles.  A Ferrari dealer would be 1000 miles away.  No,  I have had about 30 Cadillacs over the past 50 years and the next time I have to go back for warranty service will be my first!!!!!
realityforme
Mar 3, 2012 1:32PM
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@probible

 

Knockout punch? Really- maybe to your own ballsack.

ProBible
Mar 3, 2012 1:31PM
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ROCY MOUNTAIN WROTE........"My thoughts exactly, looks very similar to a Corvette. And didn't Camaro have a stripped down version called a Berlinetta back in the day? Chevy must be doing alright if Ferrari is copying." <--------this is the most @ssinine comment that i ever seen! This car looks and sounds nothing like the corvette! And BTW....Corvette themselves call there cars a "European" style body! And the headlights are made in Europe. SO spare me the rhetoric!
billcccc
Mar 3, 2012 1:21PM
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its still slower than a two year old nissan GTR that is a four door sedan a 1000ponds heaver, with a six cylinder motor with all the ac sound system big seat and using all weather tires. no one can beat that and I'm talking about out proforming all but a couple cars on a sport car track poerch, vets almost anything and its cost about $90.000. and your grandma could drive it.
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