Let's hope it's a celebration of the V-12 and not a goodbye. However the reality is that regulations are making the future of big gas hungry V-12's very bleak. Ferrari may still produce them for their Halo model, but may not for their production cars. Instead of using 12 cylinders to differentiate the production cars, turbos, innovative drive like hybrid and FWD, and materials such as carbon fiber and nano materials will enable Ferrari to continue to offer performance and sportiness in a more fuel efficient package.
Unfortunately you are probably right. But who except a real nut believes that 1000 V12s per year raise the temperature of the earth appreciably?
Ferrari have stated that unless they are specifically outlawed there will always be a V12 in the range. Bearing in mind a lot of Ferrari's foundations are based on small capacity V12s (the 125 had a 1.5 litre V12), I suspect it may get smaller and gain forced induction though. It would also be an example of F1 tech transfer, in the mid noughties Ferrari was certainly researching going back to a V12 from a V10 in F1, until the FIA standardised the V10 as the engine configuration. The V12 always gave more power, the trade off was originally the extra cooling required increased weight. I for one think a modern version of the Ferrari 250SWB with a 3.0 litre V12 revving to 11,000 rpm would be fantastic.
Totally agree. While test driving the 458 Challenge I was amazed how quick it shifts and I was waiting for the "kick in the but" when changing gears near red line. It's amazing how fast it shifts gear but for some reason ... I missed the kick in the but the GTO's box gives you. The GTO isn't polished but somehow the entire package works perfect and makes the hair on your arms stand up over and over again. Certainly nothing wrong with the 458C and I can't wait for mine to arrive in April but it's just different compared to the drama of the GTO. I guess owning both is the perfect solution so I consider myself lucky. Great info. Thanks a lot for sharing. Interesting point you make at the end ... so I take it the GTO will stay in your stable and you will add the F12 Berlinetta
www.ferrari.com has gone down at my end lucky for you you're too far away for me to pop over for a swim
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