Back in 2018, the Prancing Horse of Maranello announced a new front mid-engine platform with all-wheel drive and seating for up to four people. Said platform underpins the Italian marque's first-ever sport utility vehicle and the long-awaited successor of the 812 series of V12 grand tourers.
Internally referred to as F167, the gran turismo initially sported Roma body panels. Our spy photographers have recently captured a prototype with production-spec bodywork, a prototype that also flaunts heightened rear haunches and very slim taillights rather than circular units.
Relatively similar in proportions to the soon-to-be-discontinued 812 series, the F167 is pictured in Maranello with Michelin rubber shoes at every corner. More similar to the V8-powered Roma than the 812 from the side view, the newcomer sweetens the deal with bulging front fenders, a rectangular front grille, a flat hood, and slim headlights.
Similar to the 812 and Roma, the mirrors are mounted at the A pillars. Also similar to the Roma, the dual-clutch transmission is a rear-mounted transaxle for better weight distribution. The F167's platform was designed with electrified assistance in mind, but Ferrari has refrained from hybridizing the naturally aspirated V12 of the flagship GT.
Hearsay suggests a similar displacement to the 6.5-liter unit of the 812 series, a higher redline, and 50 more cavalli vapore than the Superfast. 850 metric horsepower converts to 838 mechanical horsepower, meaning 130.7 ps or 128.9 hp for every liter of displacement. Is that doable, though?
Photo: Baldauf
At press time, the free-breathing V12 to beat is the Cosworth GMA of the Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 and slightly punchier T.50. Capable of revving to 12,100 revolutions per minute, the 4.0-liter mill in the T.50 develops up to 700 ps/690 horsepower in V-Max Boost mode or 670 ps/661 horsepower as is. Ferrari has a lot more experience designing V12s than Cosworth, meaning that Maranello's favorite son could go mental with the F167's engine.
You can also bet on Ferrari going mental with the electronic driving enhancers. Think new versions of Side Slip Control and F1-Trac, among other goodies. Rear-wheel steering is a given as well. Due to the engine's location, the F167 doesn't have an S-duct to improve downforce.
Marcel Massini has it on good authority that Ferrari will unleash the F167 on May 2 in Miami rather than Maranello. He understands that registered participants of the Cavalcade International USA 2024 are invited to the reveal, which is only natural given the $58,000 participation fee.
With the Scuderia edging closer to Red Bull in terms of race pace, it also makes sense to debut the F167 just before the Miami Grand Prix Weekend. The sixth of 24 rounds in the 2024 season will kick off at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida with Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying on May 3.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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