The 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

 

Ferrari's Second Fastest Street-Legal Car Ever Made

 

 

 

     For years Ferrari has stuck with the concept of front-engine cars. It wasn't until 1973 that Enzo Ferrari decided to have the mid-engine Ferrari Boxer created. Now it would seem that Enzo's old ideas about front-engine cars being better than mid-engine cars is being continued in the form of the second fastest street-legal Ferrari ever made. That car is called the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.

    The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has a RMR layout and is equipped with a powerful 6.3 liter naturally aspirated V12 that delivers 730 hp at 8,250 rpm. Top speed according to Ferrari is 225 mph. Naught to sixty-two takes has been reported to take 3.1 seconds. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual.

     The F12 is built around an aluminum space frame chassis that was co-developed with Scaglietti. The chassis is also made up of twelve different aluminum alloys.

     The tires used on the F12 are Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

     The F12 also uses Ferrari's third-generation CCM3 carbon ceramic disc brakes with ABS, SCM-E magnetorheological suspension, ESP Premium stability control, an electronic limited slip differential, and finally F1-Trac traction control. The F12's stability and traction control, suspension and other settings are controlled via the Mannettino dial on the steering wheel.

     Let's move on to aerodynamics now. The F12 uses what's called an Aero Bridge which creates extra downforce. Another feature is Active Brake Cooling ducts that open to direct cooling air only when the brakes get hot, keeping them closed at all other times to reduce aerodynamic drag.

     The price of a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta in the United States is $319,638 which is not that bad for a car that was the second fastest around Fiorano.