Ferrari 12Cylinder Spider: Mechanical Symphony. How It Goes and How It's Made

In an era where electric motors seem to dictate the rules, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is like that rocker who, despite everyone singing hymns to silence, decides to shake the stage with a naturally aspirated V12 that makes the past roar while looking confidently to the future. Presented exclusively in Miami Beach on May 3, 2024 (to celebrate Ferrari's 70th anniversary in the USA), this car is not for everyone, also because it costs 435,000 euros , excluding options and customizations. It is for those who know that the authentic charm of the traditional engine is a mechanical poem that must be heard live, and not just watched in streaming.

Let's talk about dynamics: the performance is exaggerated, almost surreal. From 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.2 seconds, with a top speed that exceeds 340 km/h. In addition, you can travel with the sky open, thanks to the hard top that opens in just 14 seconds (even when moving up to 45 km/h). It's like having an entrance ticket to an exclusive concert, where the roar of the V12 is the soundtrack. The driving modes play a fundamental role in the dynamic analysis: with the Wet and Sport settings the electronics simply contain the potential, but in Ct Off the 12Cylinder really comes to life. Here the engine, without ever losing its rhythm, climbs impetuously up to 9,500 rpm; a true siren song, which captures and pushes you to seek that limit where every gear seems like a leap into the unknown. In Ct Off, the car is alive : the gearbox, with a long first gear and all the subsequent ones close together (except the eighth), transforms every straight into a snapshot of pure adrenaline, forcing you to brake hard and concentrate as if you were conducting an orchestra in a storm.

The dynamic behavior is an invitation to stay on the razor's edge: the steering, more direct than that of traditional grand tourers, allows you to feel every nuance of the car, while the minimal padding of the seats (not designed for long luxury trips, but to make you feel every vibration and every emotion) allows you to predict every reaction. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is not just a means of transport, it is an addiction : those who do not have 435,000 euros to spend, should not even touch it, because once you try it, you will not be able to do without it. After all, Herbert Von Karajan wrote to Enzo Ferrari that after listening to the roar of his 12 cylinders he was enraptured by those "wonderful melodies". And who can blame him? With this Ferrari it is love at first start. A mix of power, precision and pure emotion that transform every drive into a symphonic experience , where the past and the future meet in a timeless concert.

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider stands out for its naturally aspirated V12 engine (code F140HD, an evolution of the unit used on the 812 Competizione), a choice that today sounds almost anachronistic, in a world increasingly oriented towards hybrid and electric. This engine is not only an icon of the past but also a demonstration of how modern technology can refine a traditional concept. The main features? Displacement: 6.5 liters. Maximum power: 830 hp at 9,250 rpm. Maximum torque: 678 Nm at 7,250 rpm, with 80% already available at 2,500 rpm . This means that the thrust is immediate, without having to wait for the engine to “wake up”. Maximum rotation speed: 9,500 rpm. The opening and closing of the valves is guaranteed by the sliding finger, a component of the distribution. Ferrari has worked on every detail to improve the efficiency and performance of the engine. The titanium connecting rods reduce weight by 40% compared to steel, while maintaining the same strength. The aluminum pistons (-2% weight) are treated with a special coating (DLC), which reduces friction and increases durability. The crankshaft has also been lightened by 3%, contributing to a faster and more precise response. The engine is mated to an 8-speed DCT gearbox, the same used on models such as the SF90 Stradale and the 296 GTB . This transmission not only guarantees reduced gear shift times (-50% compared to the previous 812 Superfast) but also offers smoother progression and better energy efficiency. The low gears are 5% shorter, improving acceleration, while the eighth gear, 7% longer, helps reduce consumption on the motorway.

The sound of the V12 is one of the elements that make this car unique. The large exhaust pipes are not just an aesthetic detail but have been designed to maximize efficiency. The result is a rich and articulated sound, which changes according to the rotation speed, providing an unparalleled acoustic experience. One of the most interesting innovations is the Aspirated Torque Shaping system, which modulates the torque based on the gear engaged . This allows for a more linear progression and a sensation of constant acceleration, especially in central gears (third and fourth). In practice, the car adapts to the driver's driving style, always offering the right thrust. The Aspirated Torque Shaping is combined with a variable geometry trumpet system and the 350 bar Gdi fuel system, consisting of two fuel pumps and four rails, equipped with pressure sensors that provide feedback to the closed loop pressure control system. The electro-injectors, which inject petrol directly into the combustion chamber, are able to manage up to three injections within an engine cycle , an essential feature also for the control of polluting emissions.

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider’s chassis has been completely redesigned, with particular attention to lightness and rigidity. These two elements are fundamental to ensuring predictable and responsive dynamic behaviour, especially in a car with over 800 hp. Compared to the previous 812 Superfast, the new chassis is more rigid, at the same weight . This improvement was achieved thanks to an optimised design, with cast components such as the shock towers. Ferrari has introduced a new recycled aluminium alloy, 42100Alta-Fe, which reduces CO2 emissions by 93% compared to traditional alloys. Despite being recycled, this alloy maintains mechanical characteristics similar to those of non-recycled materials, guaranteeing strength and lightness.

The weight of the 12Cilindri project has been optimised to improve performance without sacrificing comfort and safety. The coupé version weighs 1,560 kg, while the Spider tips the scales at 1,620 kg . The weight distribution is balanced, with 48.4% of the weight on the front axle and 51.6% on the rear for the coupé, and a slightly different ratio for the Spider (47.8% front and 52.2% rear). For those who want to push the lightness even further, Ferrari offers a series of carbon fibre options. Exterior: fenders, rear spoiler and roof (the latter particularly useful for lowering the centre of gravity). Interior: dashboard, steering wheel, bench seat and seats. Forged wheels: reduce unsprung masses, improving the car's responsiveness. The Spider version introduces further improvements, such as the aluminium reinforcements between the rollbar and the upright , which guarantee weight savings and a lower centre of gravity compared to the previous 812 GTS.

On the dynamics front, the 12Cylinder Spider raises the bar significantly thanks to a series of technological innovations. The SSC 8.0 system, integrated with brake-by-wire and ABS EVO, offers precise and repeatable braking, while the virtual short wheelbase sensors (PCV 3.0) and side slip control (SSC 8.0) ensure optimal stability management. Furthermore, the adoption of independent four-wheel steering (4WS), introduced on the 812 Competizione special series, allows the car to be agile on bends , with significantly reduced response times. Finally, via a very convenient analog dial positioned on the steering wheel, you can choose five driving modes: Wet, Sport, Race, CT Off, ESC Off. Performance on the road also depends on the choice of tires and here Ferrari has not skimped. The 12Cylinder Spider is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tires , developed in 275/35ZR21 front and 315/35ZR21 rear sizes. The tread design, the result of both physical and virtual testing sessions, minimizes rolling resistance, improving grip. A small miracle.

The designers, led by Flavio Manzoni, have reinvented the aesthetic language of previous Ferrari V12s, abandoning traditional muscularity in favor of a more refined and futuristic approach. The essential and clean main lines create a harmonious whole : the side, developed from a dihedral section, expresses a minimal but functional elegance, while the front mudguard (without the usual cuts) gives the car a smooth surface interrupted only by the necessary air vents. The mudguards, designed down to the last detail, with precise geometries, and the characteristic "little wing" in back-painted polycarbonate, recall a design that, while not nostalgic, suggests a deep connection with Ferrari tradition. The interior of the 12Cilindri Spider is a tribute to the dual cockpit, an internal architecture that involves both the driver and the passenger in a shared experience . The cabin, divided into three distinct levels, combines high-end materials (such as Alcantara made from 65% recycled polyester) with cutting-edge technological solutions. A large 10.25-inch central touchscreen display, a 15.6-inch digital dashboard for the driver and an 8.8-inch display for the passenger offer detailed and personalized information, while the capacitive steering wheel with integrated buttons ensures precise and intuitive control even in sporty driving conditions.

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is not content to simply let its V12 roar: it also knows how to "fly low" thanks to aerodynamics studied down to the smallest detail. It starts with a 25 mm nolder, which helps maintain flow efficiency. The mobile appendages, which can switch from Low Drag (LD) mode, where the air flows smoothly and uninterrupted, to High Downforce (HD), activated when it is necessary to maximize vertical load for better stability when cornering , have been designed to guarantee the aerodynamic load (Ferrari does not declare the overall value) that a car of this performance needs, without ruining the work of the style center. At the front there are passages designed to guide the air flow towards the rear. Under the car, the floor is designed to maximize the generation of vertical load . In this regard, a lot of work has been done on the rear extractor, which is of significant size, considering that we are talking about a grand touring car.

To ensure that the driving experience of the 12Cilindri Spider remains unchanged over time, Ferrari offers the Genuine Maintenance program, an exclusive seven-year package. This service, available for the entire Ferrari range (and not just for new models), covers all routine maintenance (checks every 20,000 km or annually with no mileage limits) , using original spare parts and advanced diagnostic technologies. The inspections, carried out by personnel trained at the Ferrari Training Centre in Maranello, ensure that the vehicle maintains performance and safety, protecting the significant investment that a car of this type requires.

What we liked and what we didn't like during the test of the Ferrari 12Cylinder Spider .

• Character and sound of the twelve-cylinder engine
• Usability of electronics and calibration of driving modes
• Exaggerated emotions that the car is able to transmit

• Seat padding too minimal
• Price, as usual, important
• Especially on wet surfaces… for many but not for all

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider embodies the essence of the traditional Ferrari spirit in an era dominated by electric vehicles. With its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, capable of 830 hp, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reaches speeds of over 340 km/h, offering exaggerated and engaging driving dynamics. The design, which combines classic references with futuristic solutions, is completed with a hard top that opens in 14 seconds to enjoy the open sky . Advanced technologies such as the SSC 8.0 system and the 8-speed DCT transmission ensure precise driving, transforming every journey into a symphonic experience that blends power, tradition and innovation, reserved for those who can appreciate the true Ferrari spirit.

The main technical data of the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider .