Ferrari 12Cilindri Review: Power and Passion Perfected
▼ Summary
– The author criticizes Ferrari’s capacitive touch steering wheel as a detriment to the driving experience and notes Ferrari will replace it for existing owners at a high cost.
– Engaging Race mode on the Ferrari improves performance by adjusting assists, transmission, and exhaust, but intentionally leaves steering and suspension settings constant for predictable handling.
– The Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 engine produces a highly praised, dream-like sound, though its exhaust is noted as quieter than preferred.
– The Aston Martin Vanquish, while more powerful and torquey due to turbocharging, has a lower redline and a more muted exhaust note compared to the Ferrari.
– The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is described as easy to control and trust at high speeds due to its grip, steering, and brakes, with seamless traction control, unlike the more unruly Vanquish.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider masterfully blends raw, naturally aspirated power with a chassis that inspires immense confidence, creating a driving experience that feels both thrilling and remarkably accessible. While certain modern features can be distracting, they fade into the background the moment you engage with the car’s true purpose.
A primary point of contention remains the capacitive touch steering wheel, a feature also found in the 296 GTB. Its lack of physical feedback is a persistent letdown in an otherwise immersive cabin. Ferrari does offer a retrofit with proper buttons, but it comes at a significant cost. The inclusion of a passenger-side screen, a Ferrari first, also feels like a solution in search of a problem, perhaps missing the point of what passengers in such a car truly experience.
However, these critiques vanish on a winding road. Selecting Race mode via the Manettino dial transforms the car. It reduces electronic intervention, sharpens transmission and differential responses, and opens the active exhaust valves. Interestingly, it leaves steering weight, suspension firmness, and throttle mapping unchanged. This philosophy ensures predictable, consistent dynamics no matter the driving mode, allowing the driver to build trust in the machine’s behavior.
The heart of the experience is, of course, the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine. Its soaring, metallic wail as it approaches its stratospheric redline is pure automotive theater. It requires a mental adjustment, as the urge to upshift comes far later than in turbocharged rivals. This is highlighted in a comparison with the turbocharged Aston Martin Vanquish. While the Aston boasts higher peak power and a massive torque advantage, its character is muted and its rev limit lower. The Ferrari’s approach prioritizes linearity, response, and an unforgettable soundtrack.
In practice, the 12Cilindri’s 500 lb-ft of torque feels more than sufficient. Applying throttle too eagerly exiting a corner will trigger the traction control, but its intervention is so seamless it’s often unnoticed. This contrasts with the Vanquish, which can feel like it’s wrestling its own immense power. The Ferrari feels cohesive and planted. This trust is built on tremendous mechanical grip, razor-sharp steering, and a firm, progressive brake pedal. It’s a car that makes you feel capable, translating immense performance into an intuitive and deeply passionate drive.
(Source: Ars Technica)
