ZINVO's Favorite Cars: Ferrari F12
If you're a regular reader of our blog, you know what we here at ZINVO are big fans of Ferrari. So for this issue of ZINVO Favorite Cars, we jumped at the chance to take a drive in the Ferrari F12. For the occasion, we sported our limited-edition Blade Rose Gold. Read on to discover the ins and outs of this epic supercar.
Enzo Ferrari was a great visionary. His passion for race cars is the foundation of the success and longevity of Ferrari as a company. Inspired by the wild prancing logo, the Ferrari brand elicits feelings of incredible beauty and intense power. It seems that every car produced by Ferrari is just an amazing experience—and the Ferrari F12 is no exception.
Engine
The F12’s 730 horsepower powerhouse is a naturally aspirated V-12 delving out 510 lb-ft torque @6,750 rpm. When it was released in 2012, it was the most powerful road-Ferrari ever made. It is a mid-front-engine Ferrari GT, which is different than the rear-mounted engines we are used to in most supercars. It also replaced the Ferrari 599 GTB. It's worth noting that at the time, the Ferrari F12 was two seconds faster than the Ferrari Enzo on the Fiorano Test Track.
The F12 also has an impressive 0-60 MPH in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 211 MPH. The excellent transmission is a double-clutch gearbox, which translates to immediate gear changes and an invigorating driving experience.
Driving Experience
Ferrari has been winning Formula 1 races for decades. They know how to design and manufacture the world’s best race cars. That said, the F12 has Ferrari’s traction control system. This ingenious system allows any driver, at any level, to corner at high speeds safely.
The steering is extremely reactive. This means that any slight movement of the steering wheel moves the car immediately, thus improving drivability on windy roads and race tracks.
The throttle is also extremely reactive due to the V-12 engine being naturally aspirated. This car is said to be one of the most exciting vehicles to drive.
Exterior
The F12 has much better aerodynamic qualities than the 599 GTB and it is also lighter and stronger due to its aluminum-based body and air-intakes.
The air-intake system is what makes the Ferrari F12. The front intakes open up when the brakes get hot, allowing them to cool, but are shut most of the time for improved aerodynamics. The air-intakes on top of the hood allow air to pass through and out of the sides of the car, making the car slide smoothly through the air at high speeds, and also creating massive downforce for better handling and grip.
Interior
The three-spoke steering wheel is the focal point of the interior since everything you need to control is incorporated into the steering wheel. Buttons that can be found on the steering wheel include the engine start/stop button, turn signals, headlights, windshield wipers, driving mode selector (wet, sport, race, and traction on or off), and bumpy road setting. There are also LED lights at the top of the steering wheel indicating when it’s time to shift.
When Ferrari decides to replace a car, they make sure the successor is a lot lighter, tougher, and faster. The Ferrari F12 is a car worthy of the Ferrari name, and the experience it provides is exactly what Enzo Ferrari envisioned his company would be providing to gearheads worldwide.