12Cilindri

I said I wanted it to be beautiful...to capture that elusive smoke in the bottle, and be something I'd love to stare at for hours and be wowed by.

Here's my take. At first sight of the reveal photos at 8:00pm EST, I was massively disappointed. It was a giant WTF moment. I hated the too-obtrusive, blacked-out "Daytona" nose, I hated what appeared to be an ungainly transition from the hood to the windscreen (looked too steep from one of the front photos), I hated what appeared to be the notch taken out of the rear with that blacked-out angle, and I absolutely wanted to vomit at the idiotic looking black delta wing shape that dominates the entire rear view in what appeared to be a most poorly thought-out manner. And those stupid side flaps, which apparently come up way sooner than you'd want them to... WTH, Ferrari?!

A few hours passed, a very few videos appeared. Today, many more have arrived. Seeing now the car in video and not the ever-annoying Ferrari press images (although a few, this time, aren't so bad), I've come to a difference of opinion. This difference of opinion is not derived from a fanboy's need to delude himself into believing everything Ferrari does is great. I've been at this Ferrari game for a long, long time, and Ferrari certainly doesn't always make winners. I'm familiar with most every Ferrari ever made for the street, and I can honestly say I find, at most, 60% of them very attractive. I'm also honest enough to admit that some of the most celebrated of all Ferraris are nowhere near as attractive as most would have you believe in their group think adoration. I won't mention those cars, but I'm convinced most secretly know. Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I now find this new 12...weird, but in a great way. Weird like I found the '84 Testarossa as a 10 year old boy...my mom even bought me a model of one, and I wasn't thrilled. I so wanted the Countach model. The Testarossa looked weird and still does...but it does so as it always has...in the best of ways. It's intriguing to look at, and for this, I appreciate it (more than I did as a kid). I find myself looking at this new 12 in the same manner. In the span of one day, I already love the front, and that odd rear delta shape...I get it, now. It shocked me, yesterday, but I've quickly wrapped my head around its purpose and style...see more than I did at first...and actually like it. As a whole, I like this car more than any variation of the 812. The Spider version of this new car is truly beautiful. I believe it's the best looking front engine spider/convertible that Ferrari has made since ...well, since the 60s. Its profile is mesmerizing top up or down, and I actually think its top-up look is better than the coupe's in profile. Furthermore, it accentuates my disappointment in the Roma Spider...a car that could have been so much more. Yes, Ferrari, you royally screwed the promise of what that car could have been. I'm convinced this new 12 will be liked (truly, sincerely, honestly) far more than it is in the initial reactions. It's weird...it's not what I had hoped for...and that's because I wasn't aware that I would like something like this. I think this will be true for many people. Did Ferrari capture smoke in the bottle with this one. No. Looks like I'll still be waiting for that...but they also didn't fail my hopes, either. This is a cool car. A very cool car. And though it doesn't rank among my favorites, it's certainly not in that list of the 40%+ that I don't like the looks of at all. Nice work, Ferrari.

 

Still dislike the Kia rims but nice spec otherwise.

 

It took me about 24 hours to see what their designer wanted to achieve with this and now I love it. From tip to tail it's a more complete, more composed and finished design than the 812, almost as if they picked up where the F12 left off and continued the idea. The 812's rear has always been somewhat compromised, incomplete and thus detracted from the overall beauty. They corrected things on the Competizione and it seems they were determined not to repeat that error. From every angle the 12C is so cohesive, clean yet striking. Similarly, I'm no fanboy. I still don't really care for the 296, except in some of the most flamboyant liveries, and the SF90 is still a bit cold to me, and I personally would've liked more space in the Purosangue but I understand the reasons why there isn't. Not so with the Roma. I'm still not sure what that design wanted to achieve. It's gorgeous but limited to my eyes

It'll be interesting to see if the 12C affects the 812 market.

 

Kia rims is hilarious. lol

 

I think it'll be a grower for many

from what I've seen around various forums the consensus is:

styling:
ferrari people dislike it
non-ferrari people

engine/performance:
at this point people don't seem to actually care if it' s quicker and are just pleased about the v12

name:
pretty much everyone thinks it's a bit silly

 

That's what I thought and apparently that was something of the goal.

 

Sounds better and is easier in Italian.

 

Non-Ferrari people...

exist?

 

So true. LOL

 

Exhaust definitely, bodykit please no.

 

I'm with you. I much prefer this.
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Exhaust, wheels, and painting some of the black bits are all on my list if I go through with my order.

 

It's gorgeous.

 

This would be my spec...


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Wheels can make or break a car. These break it. Hopefully there will be better options.

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Without the contrasting black bits, I quite like it.

 

My pick would be this:

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I think my 599 is appreciating as I type! But thank you Ferrari for another front engine V12 naturally aspirated car. It's really no fun without the noise, this can probably be fixed. It reminds of the Roma, which I hate. I think it looks better in the Spyder. I hope it doesn't have some fatal design problem like the famous FF PTU!

 

I had heard nothing about this car until the press blanket lifted this morning and my youtube feed was flooded with videos of this new Ferrari called the 12 C. I absolutely love it! And I have not been in love with a lot of Ferrari's cars of late. The 296 I can take or leave, the SUV is vile, the 812 is okay but I wouldn't buy one, the Roma looks like a Jaguar, ... There is something about the 12C though that makes me want one very badly! I cannot wait to see one in person. Props to Ferrari for making it a NA, non-hybrid, V12!!

 

I agree. The only way to deal with the black things is to order this car in nero.

 

I have seen the car in person tonight up close. It is unbelievably great. Pictures cannot capture the depth and execution of the lines and flow of the car. It has completely blown me away. All the way down to the small detail, it's like a concept car was blinked into reality. It was hard to tell until I saw it with my own eyes. I have enough conviction from seeing it that I can say this post that will age well.

There were 3 coupes with different specs including wheel types and carbon fiber roofs and the “GTS” model.

Can’t wait for this model to hit the road so all can see it.

 

I think it’s exceptional.

 

I am in a huge auditorium of Ferrari people (1000?) and I hear people love it just walking around. I have not heard anyone say anything negative from walking around for an hour. So Ferrari people who have seen it in person...my real life experience.…hugely positive reaction.

 

I hope that's my experience. I desperately want to like it.

Also, no negative reactions to the black sections between the headlights or at the back of the car? Many people will like those details, but everyone?

 

It’s 100% the goal. Fuji and Italia paints have a great deal and depth and could carry the vast amounts of bodywork on this car.

 

personally i love it, and will buy one someday.

the name is fine.
remember some of the most famous cars in history were similarly named.....

fiat 8v (otto vu)
alfa 6c
alfa 8c

etc