THE relentless high-noon heat in Kuala Lumpur usually sends locals scurrying for air-conditioned refuge, not venturing out to pilot a left-hand-drive Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider — roof down — through the city’s bustling streets.
Yet under this searing tropical blaze, the drive took on a special purpose - to put the mighty 12Cilindri (pronounced “duo-di-chi chi-lin-dri” in Italian) through its paces and allow it to stretch its legs.
Bathed in sunlight, the Spider’s sculpted rear flanks transform it into rolling mechanical art.
The long “cofango” reverse-clamshell bonnet, inspired by the iconic 365 GTB/4 Daytona, reflects the glare with confidence while its clean, flowing lines balance elegance and intent.
Despite the punishing heat, the cockpit remains a remarkably comfortable sanctuary - refined and firmly driver-focused, yet notably accommodating.
A wider cabin and more supportive, contoured seats mean even larger or more “prosperous” builds are well catered for.
The signature double-bubble roof, when raised, or the generous legroom when lowered, reinforces the fact that this is a true Grand Tourer, and not just a styling exercise.
Meanwhile, the expansive 15.6-inch digital display stays sharp and legible even under direct sunlight - a small but vital detail for open-top driving.
Out on the road, the 12Cilindri’s presence alone seems to part midday traffic with effortless authority.
Leaving the city’s ground-level congestion behind, we climb onto the Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), free from curious glances and able to savour the experience properly.
Here, the Spider’s driving character comes into sharp focus with the steering being notably quick to provide near-instant directional changes impressively while being communicative with a natural weighting that builds intuitively as speed rises.
Turn-ins are almost devoid of nervousness, and through sweeping highway curves, the front end felt secured upon the tarmac.
Here’s where Ferrari’s four-wheel steering seemed to work seamlessly in the background, lending agility at lower speeds and adding reassuring stability as the pace increases.
Braking performance will equally inspire confidence with the large carbon-ceramic discs able to deliver an immense amount of stopping power with a firm, progressive pedal that makes it easy to modulate the forces of deceleration.
Even after repeated high-speed runs, braking remained consistent and fade-free to encourage drivers to progressively explore the car’s performance envelope.
The suspension strikes an impressive balance between control and compliance, and this is where Ferrari’s adaptive setup allows its owner to read the road with detailed contrast - filtering out sharp imperfections while keeping body movements tightly contained.
Over uneven highway surfaces and expansion joints, the Spider settles quickly without fidgeting, maintaining composure rather than transmitting harshness into the cabin.
Push harder, and the suspension tightens its responses, supporting the chassis through fast sweepers while preserving the long-distance comfort expected of a Grand Tourer.
A quick flick of the switch lowers the retractable hardtop in just 14 seconds, closing off the cabin to the elements and allowing for the evocative V12 scream to permeate into the cabin.
Nonetheless, the experience is best had raw and in the face when the top is dropped.
Better yet, select Manual mode, paddle down the gears and let all 12 cylinders take a deep breath, so all those ponies can transform into unicorns.
High-speed convertibles often suffer from wind noise and turbulence, but with Ferrari’s aerodynamic experts at play, it wasn’t the case.
The “elephant ear” spoilers and an electrically adjustable rear glass screen create a calm pocket of air even at triple-digit speeds.
There is no intrusive booming or buffeting, only the unfiltered wail of this naturally aspirated V12 as it climbs towards its limiter.
At the heart of the 12Cilindri Spider is its 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 (F140 HD), which delivers 830hp and 678Nm of torque before reaching its 9,500rpm redline.
It delivers performance that feels both ferocious and refined while out on the open stretch of AKLEH.
Acceleration is a physical experience which slams the body into the backrest firmly as its 0 to 100kph arrives in just 2.95 seconds.
Even while rolling at about 60kph, the experience is almost identical.
Wait another 5.25 seconds at 8.2 seconds, and the 12Cillindri has already reached 200kph.
Slowing it down to a more comprehensible pace, and this berlinetta becomes putty in the hands.
With a 20mm shorter wheelbase and 30PS more compared to the 812 Superfast, independent four-wheel steering and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts 30% faster, the 12Cillindri is sharper in its response and comes with greater clarity when at the helm.
As the V12’s howl ricochets off the concrete barriers of the AKLEH, the 12Cilindri reveals itself as far more than a spectacular machine - delivering an immensely visceral performance with control, confidence and genuine usability.
The steering talks, the brakes reassure, and the suspension strikes a rare balance between composure and comfort.
Undoubtedly, the 12Cillindri is a pure celebration of the internal combustion engine as the world increasingly transitions towards electrification, and it is here that one can still enjoy that unfiltered and unrestrained magic.
SPECIFICATIONS
Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider
Engine: 6,496cc, naturally aspirated, 65-degree V12 (F140HD), direct injected
Maximum power: 830hp at 9,250rpm
Maximum torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive with electronic differential
Acceleration (0–100kph): 2.95 seconds (Spider), 2.9 seconds (coupe)
Acceleration (0–200kph): 8.2 seconds
Top speed: Over 340kph
Fuel tank capacity: 92 litres (Minimum RON98)
Brakes: Carbon ceramic discs (398mm front, 360mm rear)
Braking distance (100kph-0): 31.4m
Braking distance (200kph-0): 122m
Weight (dry): 1,620kg (Spider), 1,560kg (coupe)
Seating capacity: 2
Boot space: 270 litres
Features: Side Slip Control (SSC) 8.0, traction control, brake-by-wire system for anti-lock braking system (ABS) Evo, automatic brakeforce distribution, rear-wheel steering system, adaptive suspension system Passo Corto Virtuale (Virtual Short Wheelbase) 3.0 with four-wheel independent steering, Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) 2.0, electronic power steering (EPS) system, active rear flap (max 10-degree downwards), wireless charger, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 1,600W 15-speaker Burmester sound system (optional), 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster, 8.8-inch passenger-side screen, 21-inch lightweight alloys with 275/35 (front) and 315/35 (rear) series tyres of either Michelin Pilot Sport 5S or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
Price: From RM5.1mil (Spider), RM4.7mil (coupe) after duties and options without registration and insurance.
