Ferrari 812

The Ferrari 812 is a front-mid-engine V12 high-performance flagship sports car globally unveiled by Italian supercar maker Ferrari at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. Serving as the successor to the F12berlinetta, the 812 range represents a definitive milestone in the lineage of Ferrari's front-engine V12 grand tourers, underpinned by its breathtaking performance and distinctive moniker.

The straightforward yet evocative "812 Superfast" nameplate carries a storied brand heritage: "8" signifies the engine's 800 hp maximum power output, while "12" denotes its 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 powerplant. The "Superfast" nameplate traces its origins back to the 1956 410 Superfast and the ultra-rare 1964 500 Superfast, which was limited to just 36 units. The 812 is offered in several variants, including the Superfast coupe, the GTS convertible, and the track-focused Competizione, with recommended retail prices for on-sale models ranging from RM4,859,000 to RM5,300,000. In 2024, Ferrari introduced the 12Cilindri as the direct successor to the 812. As of May 2026, although production of the 812 Competizione has concluded, existing stock remains available.

Design Language

The 812 Superfast was penned by the Ferrari Styling Centre. Up front, it features swept-back, inverted teardrop-shaped headlights paired with an aggressive front grille, complemented by side profile lines that flow more seamlessly than those on the F12berlinetta. The rear adopts an upturned, Kamm-tail recessed design that pays homage to the legendary 1969 365 GTB4, while the signature quad-round LED tail lamps feature a horizontal arrangement that visually widens the car and lowers its visual centre of gravity. To commemorate Ferrari's 70th anniversary, the model also debuted with a dedicated "Rosso Settanta" (70th Anniversary Red) exterior paint.

Aerodynamically, the 812 Superfast integrates extensive active and passive aero solutions: active flaps on the front underbody and an active rear diffuser automatically adjust their angles at speeds above 200 km/h to strike an ideal balance between low drag and high downforce. Dedicated air ducts on the front wings guide airflow to cool the brakes and minimise aerodynamic drag. These innovations enable the 812 Superfast to generate 390 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, marking a 30% increase over the F12berlinetta.

The open-top 812 GTS builds on the Superfast with a retractable hardtop (RHT) that opens or closes in just 14 seconds at vehicle speeds of up to 45 km/h. To offset aerodynamic penalties inherent to a convertible setup, Ferrari re-engineered the rear diffuser assembly. Meanwhile, the track-honed 812 Competizione deletes the rear glass screen in favour of an integrated vortex generator panel and incorporates extensive carbon-fibre on the bonnet and bodywork, bringing dry weight down to 1,487 kg—a 38 kg reduction over the 812 Superfast.

Inside, the 812 stays true to Ferrari's driver-centric cockpit philosophy. The cabin adopts a sculpted, floating dashboard layout equipped with a refreshed HMI (Human-Machine Interface) and more ergonomic, bolstered sport seats. The GTS variant also incorporates an 8.8-inch passenger display touchscreen in front of the front passenger, providing real-time driving data, telemetry, and infotainment settings.

Powertrain and Performance

The entire 812 lineup is motivated by the F140-series 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine. This 65-degree V12 sees its displacement increased from the F12's 6.3L to 6.5L by lengthening the piston stroke from 75.2 mm to 78 mm. The complete engine weighs in at an impressive 264 kg.

Power figures vary depending on the variant: the 812 Superfast pumps out 588 kW (800 hp) at 8,500 rpm and peak torque of 718 Nm at 7,000 rpm, with 80% of peak torque available from just 3,500 rpm. The 812 GTS shares the exact same powertrain setup. For the 812 Competizione, the engine is further tuned to develop 830 hp and 692 Nm, with an astonishing 9,500 rpm redline that sets a record for the highest-revving internal combustion engine ever fitted to a Ferrari road car.

Power is sent through a revised 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission (DCT). In track mode, upshift speeds are sharpened by 30%, while downshifts are 40% quicker. Against the clock, the Superfast dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 7.9 seconds; the GTS achieves 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds due to the added weight of the roof mechanism; and the Competizione lowers the 0-100 km/h time to 2.85 seconds. All three iterations boast a top speed in excess of 340 km/h.

Chassis and Handling

The 812 utilises a front-mid-engine, rear-mounted transaxle layout, delivering a well-balanced 47:53 front-to-rear weight distribution. The chassis setup comprises front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, with the GTS variant featuring an adaptive magnetorheological suspension system.

In terms of electronic vehicle dynamics control, the 812 Superfast is fitted with Side Slip Control 6.0 (SSC 6.0), an electronic differential (E-Diff), and Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 (Passo Corto Virtuale / PCV); the GTS comes with SSC 5.0 and PCV 2.0; while the Competizione is upgraded to SSC 7.0 and introduces independent four-wheel steering, endowing it with track agility on par with mid-engine supercars. A high-performance carbon-ceramic braking system (CCM) comes fitted as standard across the range.

Cockpit and Equipment

The 812's cabin is configured around the driver. The Superfast and GTS feature an F1-inspired sports steering wheel, a classic Prancing Horse analogue rev counter, a floating central transmission bridge, and carbon-shelled bucket seats. The GTS version adds an 8.8-inch passenger display touchscreen. The Competizione amplifies its motorsport character through generous carbon-fibre trim, lightweight technical upholstery, and reduced sound-deadening materials. Luggage capacity in the front boot measures 210 litres.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 812 series is fully specified with essential active and passive safety systems. Standard equipment across all variants includes Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The Competizione variant's high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes deliver immense stopping power and fade resistance. In August 2022, Ferrari initiated a recall involving 4,734 imported vehicles produced between 2004 and 2022 due to a potential safety defect.

Market Performance and Outlook

Since its introduction in 2017, the 812 series has garnered global acclaim. The 812 Superfast carried a base retail price from RM4,859,000, while the 812 GTS started from RM5,300,000. The 812 Competizione was strictly limited to 1,598 units worldwide (999 coupes and 599 Aperta convertibles), made available on an invitation-only basis strictly to top-tier Ferrari collectors. Its overseas retail price was roughly equivalent to RM7,500,000, with fully specced on-the-road prices routinely exceeding RM13,000,000.

In the pre-owned market, a 2019 812 Superfast with 10,000 to 12,000 km on the odometer typically trades within the RM3,280,000 to RM3,390,000 bracket. Meanwhile, the 812 Competizione, prized for its extreme rarity and status as the swansong of Ferrari's unassisted V12 era, commands used values well north of RM20,000,000. Ferrari recorded 13,752 global vehicle deliveries in 2024, during which sales of the 812 Competizione A naturally moderated as the model ran out. Standing as the pinnacle of Ferrari's front-engine naturally aspirated V12 grand tourers, the 812 series has set an enduring technical and emotional benchmark in the hyper-GT realm, celebrated for its pure 800 hp output, track-derived chassis dynamics, and heritage-inspired styling.