F167 is how the Prancing Horse of Maranello refers to its upcoming V12 grand tourer, which is – most probably – going to be the Italian automaker's most powerful regular-production V12 car from 2024 onward. It could also be one of Ferrari's last applications of the naturally-aspirated V12, an engine design that isn't long for the world of Euro 7 and the increasingly draconic CAFE standards in the US.
V12 flagship should be taken literally as well. As you might have realized by now, the LaFerrari-replacing F250 will cut back on six cylinders for the sake of lightness and packaging. It's also getting more hybrid assistance than the LaFerrari, although we're not sure if the twin-turbo V6 will be joined by a self-charging hybrid setup or a plug-in hybrid system.
While on the subject of electrification, it also isn't clear if the 812-replacing F167 will get hybrid assistance. It's impossible to tell from this prototype, filmed by carparazzo Varryx driving at low speed – and low revs – just outside Ferrari's production facility in Maranello. It does make beautiful noises, which is only natural for the brand that made a name for itself with V12s.
What is certain, however, is that a full-electric supercar will be unveiled sometime in 2025. Ferrari confirmed the inevitable in April 2021 during the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders through chairman and acting chief executive officer John Elkann, the chosen heir of Giovanni Alberto Agnelli. Also worthy of note, Elkann is the guy who oversaw Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merging with Groupe PSA to create Stellantis N.V.
"You can be sure this [2025 electric supercar] will be everything you dream the engineers and designers at Maranello can imagine for such a landmark in our history," said Elkann. There's no denying Ferrari will deliver the best-handling performance electric vehicle of all time. After all, Ferrari recently proved its handling expertise in the SUV segment with the Purosangue.
Turning our attention back to the F167, hearsay suggests a late-2023 debut for the 2024 model year, with deliveries believed to kick off in the first half of 2024. Based on the stretched Roma body and generic-looking wheels of this camouflaged prototype, a lot of stuff has to be addressed prior to the long-awaited premiere of the 812's heir. The rumor might hold water, though…
Earlier this year, Ferrari proudly announced that it broke its sales record in 2022 by delivering 13,221 vehicles in total. The press release for the FY 2022 results gingerly confirmed four new model launches by the end of 2023. Following the Roma Spider and SF90 XX series, which consists of the Stradale and Spider, that means we're in for at least one more new model debut in 2023.
Could it be the production version of the grand tourer in the video below? In any case, don't expect this 812-replacing masterpiece to come cheap, not even by Ferrari standards. With the Purosangue being more expensive than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and with the F167 slotting above the Purosangue in Ferrari's lineup, the newcomer could start well north of $400k.
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
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News