Ferrari has a long history of V12-powered gran turismo vehicles. The latest and the greatest of them all – thus far – is the 812 Competizione. A limited-run special edition that also comes with a targa top, the Competizione is derived from the 812 Superfast.
Think of it as the last hurrah for the 812 series, which is going the way of the dodo after 2023. Ferrari's latest guidance and business outlook report doesn't say a word about the long-awaited heir apparent of the 812, yet we do know that a brand-new breed of V12-powered gran turismo is due to launch in 2024.
Either a 2024 or 2025 model, the yet-unnamed successor has been caught singing the song of its people in the Alps. Both prototypes are camouflaged like there's no tomorrow, and both flaunt Deutschland license plates. Filmed in Austria rather than Germany, the front-engined thrillers are gifted with Roma-like headlights, taillights, rear diffuser, quad-piped exhaust, and body panels. You could easily mistake said cars for camouflaged Romas had it not been the longer wheelbase and engine sounds.
The ultra-quick upshifts indicate a dual-clutch transmission, likely the Magna-supplied 8DCL900 of the Roma instead of the 7DCL750 of the 812 series. Both of them are transaxles, and the 900 in 8DCL900 stands for a maximum input capacity of 900 Nm. That'd be 664 pound-feet of torque. According to Magna, the max input speed is 10,000 rpm, which is more than adequate for a free-breathing V12 motor.
Compatible with both front- and mid-engine applications, the 8-speed transmission further boasts an electronic locking differential. It weighs 138.5 kilograms wet, as in 305.3 pounds. Also shared with the SF90 series, the dual-clutch transaxle was designed in cooperation with the Italian automaker.
The Prancing Horse of Maranello made a name for itself with high-revving V12s, although their days are numbered. Both the incoming Euro 7 standard and 2026 model year CAFE fuel economy target are draconic for the Italian company, which produces only gas-guzzling vehicles. The 812 Superfast, for example, is rated at 13 mpg combined (make that 18 l/100 km) by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Be that as it may, Ferrari's V12-powered vehicles will be offset by the likes of the plug-in hybrid 296 and SF90. That's why the naturally-aspirated V12 soldiers on, and that's why the 812's replacement is also packing 12 cylinders arranged in a V. Ferrari closed the order books for the 812 Superfast and 812 GTS in early 2022, and a spokesperson confirmed that Ferrari won't reopen orders for these vehicles.
Reading between the lines, Ferrari takes its sweet time testing the successor while churning out Competizione and Competizione A. Internally referred to as F167, the grand tourer is expected to pack in excess of 800 ps from the outset. 800 metric ponies meaning 789 mechanical ones, with said rating applying to both the Superfast and GTS. The Competizione and Competizione A twins, on the other hand, both rock 830 ps (819 hp) and 692 Nm (510 lb-ft) at full chatter, with the redline sitting at 9,500 rpm.
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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