'Official' F12M Rumours and Launch

I had somebody who saw the F12M give me a description using an F12 on the showroom for comparison. F12M was matte black so it didn't showcase the bodywork as well as another color would have.

1). Four tail lights.
2). Two slits on each rear fender. Top of fender has a flatter shape. First slit is directly above rear wheel, second farther back towards rear deck lid. Rear deck lid has a more pronounced spoiler.
3). Aero bridges are gone. Vents behind front wheels and more of a La Ferrari look to the sides/door panels.
4). Hood is flatter with no venting. Mesh near headlights provides aero.
5). Naturally aspirated, increased displacement, HP numbers higher than TDF.
6). All wheel steering.
7). Does not have the larger display of the GTC.
8). Car has a wider/lower feel (described as "more planted look").
9). Described a smaller front grille area.

Person who saw the car was impressed with the design changes. He also told me F12 orders were still being processed and order volume has picked up. I know there were rumors of Ferrari discontinuing F12 orders a while back, but that does not seem to be the case.

 

^^^Very intriguing George. Thank you.

 

The most significant changes and the most promising. Well done! The aero bridges needed to remain with the F12s and the other two speak for themselves. Have been advocating for these for quite some time. Can't wait to see the real package. Wonder if matte black is the new release color.

 

I like the general idea of what it offers - what I am not a fan of is additional weight (the cars are too heavy already imo) and the potential cost of keeping them running once these are older thanks to the ever increasing complexity

 

Tim - I think demand is very high, back to 599 levels. Not sure how sticky it is, a lot of people in my community struggling in historical terms and borrowing heavily to maintain lifestyle. Suspect people feel it will be a low depreciating end of N/A cheap car to run. May be right for a while but an N/A and electric combo could make it look dated quickly. Who knows.

I find in the UK with traction issues and narrow roads I can barely get past 60% of my F12 capabilities so goodness knows what the Tdf and F12M are like.

I actually find my Aperta about ideal for roads and UK and power/balance/pleasure.

 

What business does not favour their best customers ?

 

Thank you. That is great detail. I can confirm F12 is in production as I have a March build slot.

 

To me it is a loss of purity...and it is not necessary.
These cars do not need more power, they already have too much.
Someday, somewhere, some chucklehead is going to figure that out.
Those of us who love cars, with their visceral messy impassioned personalities will buy a car that has that "soul." It doesn't come from silent little electrons.
It comes from exploding old dinosaurs. 😛

 

Good question re the added torque vs added weight of KERS.

Need to separate into track use and road use.

On track with hot tires and at the limit of the car, more power is welcome. Also near 200mph on the track with no rollcage is a bit freaky, e.g. end of Doettinger Hoehe on the Green Hell.

On the road it depends on speed limit. Above 100mph the car is clearly lacking power, as shown on the videos where F12 has no chance against 650S etc.
With speed limits that does not matter. Less width and weight would be welcome.

 

Thanks!
One thing puzzles me about changing car designs....they went on about how fantastic a thing the aerobridge was from a performance enhancing aspect..a real party piece...managing the air and creating "much needed" downforce.
Now...they don't need it on a car that for all intents and purposes has a very similar body structure.
So what is different; are they smarter now and have a better aero solution, or is it all gimmicky?

 

I have always believed the aerobridges have been a mix of cosmetic and aero. Similar to the flying buttress on the 599. Aerobridges were "a solution" and not "the solution" and I am sure with the new design they will get the same or slightly better downforce.

 

Good question. Perhaps history tells us something: the F40 has a rear wing that produces little down force. The vertical parts however are more useful in term of direction stability. But at the time, it conveyed a certain marketing message. Now with the FXX-K winglet, that looks clearer.

It wouldn't be surprising if the aero bridge story is similar.

 

An F12 lacking power? This must be the first time these words have been spoken on the face of the Earth! LOL! The F12 is just much heavier than a 650S, that's all.

 

Good for you. The local dealer is talking crap, sounds like he's up his own backside. I do hate arrogance whatever the reason.

 

Are there any more North American F12B builds going on ? Funny how they said (FNA) the end of the run for US was September 2016 builds that were allocated at the end of May '16.

 

I believe there are new builds going on. It just seems they changed their minds and they could build a few more. That's how it goes.

As to the electric motors. I am open to it. I don't think we are going to see the same exact thing as in the LF- where you have the large displacement motor plus the electric assist. I think you will see a smaller displacement V12 with the electric assist. This means the motor will weigh a little less, helping to offset a little bit of the electric weight. But the smaller motor will give us the benefit of the sound and still the feeling of a sports car motor. My guess will be the combustion V12 could be tuned to make lots of HP at high revs and the electric motors will provide the low down torque.

I completely understand the purist mindset, but I don't understand it in a car with a million computers and a paddle transmission. These are marvels of our technological age. I think going with some hybrid setup will just be another stone along the path....

of2worlds, thanks for the excellent discussion. Fascinating. I remember when Ferrari went to the mid engine V12s and I was very young but I heard the adults mumbling: it doesn't sound like a real Ferrari anymore... Its funny, the things from youth that one remembers. I suppose their product mix today is simply that if you want a giant mass of an engine, you go with a front engine V12 or you have to find a way to get the supercar. I can only speak for myself but vs the V12 mid engine competition, I choose the front located V12 Ferrari- technically I think Ferrari would say the F12 is really a front-mid design....

 

I would like to confirm all the above, I heard the same thing. I was also told to expect 790 to 800 HP. Weight is 70 to 80 Kg lighter than the TDF. I was told that the car is a mix of the TDF and LaFerrari. With these criteria I expect the car will be as fast as LaFerrari.

 

That sounds exciting for me !! but probably less exciting for Tdf owners...

 

The TDF is all about the drive, not the speed. Besides, the 488 is faster then the Speciale.

 

The effect of aero-cosmetic solutions is always exaggerated and promoted when they introduce the new design. Expect actual downforce only from racecar solutions: big proper wings, truly close to the ground skirts and lips, etc. Downforce in road cars is much more a marketing tool than an actual feature. I remember some graphics from the early era of the LaFvs918vsP1 thread where most road exotics produced more lift than downforce at high speeds.

 

+1 Maximus1973. I think the F12tdf owners shouldn't worry. But, the "F12M" seems like it will be quite a machine!

 

@Traveller: because technology ;-)

 

If I owned a TDF, I wouldn't care...Not sure I'm going to care being an F12B owner either. We shall see when the car is officially shown.