Automotive

Ferrari 812 Superfast: Silly name, seriously sophisticated supercar

Ferrari 812 Superfast: Silly name, seriously sophisticated supercar
The new Ferrari 812 Superfast
The new Ferrari 812 Superfast
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The new Ferrari 812 Superfast
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The new Ferrari 812 Superfast
The 812 Superfast runs with quad taillights in keeping with the rest of the Ferrari range
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The 812 Superfast runs with quad taillights in keeping with the rest of the Ferrari range
The rear of the car has been tidied up compared to the F12berlinetta
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The rear of the car has been tidied up compared to the F12berlinetta
The new cabin of the 812 Superfast is largely similar to the outgoing F12 interior
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The new cabin of the 812 Superfast is largely similar to the outgoing F12 interior
The sneering face of the Ferarri 812 Superfast
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The sneering face of the Ferarri 812 Superfast
As you'd expect, the 812 is a smart aerodynamic animal
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As you'd expect, the 812 is a smart aerodynamic animal
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Ferrari is on a roll at the moment, turning out stunning cars with oodles of power, but it still struggles with names. From LaFerrari (which translates to The Ferrari) to GTC4Lusso, which gives buyers no clue it's the followup to the FF, sometimes it seems like the naming team in Maranello choose their new model badges by pulling letters and numbers from a hat. Unfortunately, things haven't changed on the 812 Superfast. Sure, it'll be unbelievably fast, and the chassis is smarter than ever, but Superfast? Really?

Alright, we're going to put the name aside for a moment and talk about what's hiding under the skin of the new Superfast, because Ferrari has gone to town on its replacement for the F12Berlinetta. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 under the hood now produces a scarcely believable 789 hp (588 kW) at 8,500 rpm, up from the 740 hp (552 kW) in the old car thanks (in part) to 350 bar variable direct injection and Formula 1-derived variable geometry intact tracts.

As the world moves toward a turbocharged future, it's worth noting the 718 Nm of torque on offer in the free-breathing Ferrari. Sure, peak twisting force doesn't kick in until 7,000 rpm but 80 percent of that peak is available from just 3,500 rpm. Hooked up to a retuned dual-clutch gearbox capable of faster shifts in both directions, drivers should enjoy razor-sharp throttle response and linear thrust from almost any speed.

With so much power being sent to the rear wheels, Ferrari has pulled out all the stops to make sure enthusiastic drivers don't go flying backwards when they breathe on the throttle. Gone is the old hydraulic steering rack, and in its place is the first electric power steering system to emerge from Maranello. Interestingly, the press materials don't mention (oft written about, rarely defined) steering feel, instead saying the swap will "fully exploit the potential of the car's performance."

The 812 Superfast runs with quad taillights in keeping with the rest of the Ferrari range
The 812 Superfast runs with quad taillights in keeping with the rest of the Ferrari range

The latest iteration of Side Slip Control should allow drivers to creep closer to the edge (and slightly beyond it) without fear of a massive accident, and an evolution of the rear-wheel steering system debuted in the F12tdf has also been fitted. By all accounts, that car was an absolute handful, so it will be interesting to see if Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 has been toned down for general consumption.

Delivering staggering performance and nimble handling is one thing, but Ferraris are expected to work as pieces of art as well. Designed in-house, the 812 Superfast certainly fits the brief. Its basic silhouette is largely unchanged from the F12 but the details, from the skinny new headlights to the quad taillights, give it a look more in line with the 488 GTB and J50.

The fresh shape is also much smarter than before, with a more refined take on the active aero flaps at the front of the car and a clever aerodynamic bypass on the rear flanks helping keep the car settled at speed. Given the 340 km/h (211 mph) top speed and 2.9 second 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint, that's probably a good thing.

The new cabin of the 812 Superfast is largely similar to the outgoing F12 interior
The new cabin of the 812 Superfast is largely similar to the outgoing F12 interior

The interior has been treated to a mild refresh as well, although the changes are limited to new seats and a new infotainment system. Given how good the old one looked, that's no bad thing. The new steering wheel from the GTC4Lusso also features, with a new layout designed to make the plethora of buttons and switches easier to navigate.

The new 812 Superfast will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off on March 7. New Atlas will be on the ground covering all the action, so stay tuned.

Source: Ferrari

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7 comments
7 comments
Milton
lol. That name. I'd say that they were making a statement about how the name doesn't matter, but then again, people are buying this for the Ferrari name. If they were buying it for pure performance, there are a lot better bang-for-buck options.
ChrisHill
You people should realize Superfast was a storied name at Ferrari, first with a handful of one offs, supefast 1 thru 4, Then as the top of the line Ferrari, the 500 superfast, reserved for heads of state, captains of industry and personal friends of Enzo Ferrari, 36 were produced from the early 60's to late 60's, every car built to order and unique in detail. At the time they were one of the most expensive and exclusive cars on the planet. I have worked on 9 of them in my career.
McDesign
As a long-time IC-engine enthusiast, I'm afraid we are seeing the last of these; the "last hurrah".
Bob
Looks more like a custom Corvette than a Ferrari.
JimFox
McDesign2 hours ago As a long-time IC-engine enthusiast, I'm afraid we are seeing the last of these; the "last hurrah".
Agreed- for 20% of the price you can get an EV that will kill it- and they're improving at 3 times the rate of ICE's. Running costs, maintenance.... these ICE's will again be made only for the super rich.
DavidCPovenski
Chris Hill, you beat me to it and with a lot more info on the Superfasts of the past. It always amuses me when someone goes on a rant without doing a bit of research first. A gorgeous, $3M car and this clown knows not it's existence.
buzzclick
Yup, Chris Hill hit it on the nose. I have no probs with Superfast. We give names to our special cars---at least I do. One of my cars is powerful and angular, and I named it Superchunk from day one. So there. And these people poo-pooing ICE cars and comparing them to Teslas is so lame. Seduced by the electrics, they've forget (or ignore) that an ICE engine mated to the drivetrain in an ideal match produces a sweet spot that's emotional and exhilarating that a "go pedal" will never compare with. Besides, Teslas are plain-looking and ugly compared to (almost) anything Ferrari stylists can create.