In the course of the event, which was broadcast live on Ferrari’s social media channels, the wraps were also whipped off the 812 Competizione A, a Targa-top version, again a limited-series and a homage to the Prancing Horse’s open-top tradition.
A total of 1,598 units - 999 coupes and 599 Apertas - will be made. Ferrari said all have been sold out already.
Coupe deliveries are set to start in Q1 2022, with the Targa following in Q4. Prices in Italy are €500,000 (RM2.5mil) and €578,000 (RM2.9mil) respectively for the coupe and drop top. Malaysian buyers can expect to pay much more for them.
The presentation took place at the recently-opened GT Sporting Activities Department located alongside the Fiorano track, alluding to the link between Maranello’s road-going sports cars and the racing DNA developed over seven decades on the world’s circuits.
The launch began with the 812 Competizione completing several laps of the circuit to give viewers an appreciation of the car’s forms in this dynamic and high performance context in addition, of course, to hear the unmistakeable sound of Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated V12. After the hot laps Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer, officially presented the car and then unveiled the 812 Competizione A.
This duo of cars is dedicated to an exclusive group of collectors and enthusiasts who seek out maximum performance. The innovative technological concepts applied to the engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics have raised the bar.
Ferrari said both variants promise instantaneous responsiveness at all speeds, thanks in part to the new independent, four-wheel steering, which delivers a greater level of agility and precision in cornering.
The 812 Competizione and 812 Competizione A also sport the most exhilarating V12 on the automotive scene and is derived from the multi-award-winning engine powering the 812 Superfast.
The result is a naturally-aspirated 830 cv engine that pairs impressive power with electrifying delivery and the inimitable soundtrack that Ferrari V12 purists know well.
The 812 Competizione can go from 0 to 100kph in just 2.85 seconds, to 200kph in 7.5 seconds, and onwards to a top speed of over 340kph. It could lap Fiorano in 1 minute 20 seconds.
To boost the output of the engine, which has the same 6.5-litre displacement as the 812 Superfast’s V12, several areas have been significantly re-engineered to achieve a new record red line while optimising the fluid-dynamics of the intake system and combustion, and reducing internal friction.
Maximum revs are now 9,500 rpm which, together with a rising crescendo of torque delivery, unleashes a feeling of progressive and boundless power and acceleration.
The most noticeable aspect of the 812 Competizione’s aesthetic is the replacement of the rear screen by an all-aluminium surface. The vortex generators on the upper surface that boost the car’s aerodynamic efficiency simultaneously create a backbone effect that underscores the car’s sculptural forms. Together with the carbon-fibre blade that traverses the bonnet, this motif changes the overall perception of the car’s volume: the car appears more compact than the 812 Superfast, accentuating its powerful, fastback look.
A rear digital camera optimised rearward visibility to compensate for the aluminium structure.
A series of lighweighting measures and aero upgrades contribute to the performance of both 812s including 80kg more downforce at 200kph compared to the 812 Superfast. Airflow has also been revised to improve the cooling of the brakes.
Powertrain
The con-rods, pistons, crankshaft and distribution have been redesigned. The titanium con-rods are 40% lighter than steel versions whilst delivering the same mechanical resistance.
The most significant improvements, however, are to the distribution and the cylinder heads, which have both been completely revised. The cams (which now feature DLC coating) now action the valve stems via DLC-coated steel sliding finger followers, which are derived from Ferrari’s F1 experience and were developed specifically for this engine to provide a higher lift profile.
To ensure that the engine breathes correctly across the entire rev range, the intake system was redesigned: both manifold and plenum are now more compact to reduce the overall length of the tracts, thus delivering more power at high revs, while the torque curve is optimised at all engine speeds by a system of variable geometry inlet tracts.
Another important point is the adoption of a less viscous oil (Shell Helix 5W40) than used on previous V12s and the improvement in the flow rate throughout the entire oil scavenge line.
To maintain the traditional standard of engine sound to which Ferrari V12 owners are accustomed to, whilst introducing a GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) to the exhaust system that ensures compliance with the latest emissions regulations, the engineers added a new exhaust tailpipe. This unusual and innovative design solution reinstates the medium-high frequency sound muffled by the use of the GPF.
Both the 812 Competizione and 812 Competizione A are equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, pushing the performance of the latter to new extremes and delivering a new gearshift feeling for the V12. Calibration of the control strategies has reduced shift times by a further 5 percent. Although it retains the same gear ratios as the 812 Superfast, the new car’s changes are even more sporty, thanks to the extra 500 rpm in maximum revs allowed by the new V12.
The cooling system has also been adapted to cope with the additional heat generated by the new engine’s extra 30 cv, resulting in the introduction for the first time on a Ferrari V12 of a single front air intake that maximises the amount air of cooling air channelled towards the radiators. The entire coolant circuit has also been improved, increasing cooling efficiency by 10 percent compared to the 812 Superfast.
The fact that the car is faster into corners demanded an improvement in braking power. Brake cooling is fundamental to avoiding compromising on either downforce generation at the front of the car or on the weight of the brakes themselves.
Compared to the 812 Superfast, the brake cooling concept was completely redesigned around the new front “Aero” calliper which debuted on the SF90 Stradale and which has an air intake integrated into its casting.
The rear diffuser changes produced an increase in downforce that equates to 25 percent of the total increase compared to the 812 Superfast. This jumps to 35 percent if the contribution of the exhausts blowing into the wake is also taken into account. The rear underbody, on the other hand, is responsible for a 10 percent increase in rear downforce.
Interior
The 812 Competizione interior is similar to that of the 812 Superfast, retaining the same general parameters and main dash and door panel interfaces, including the latter’s signature “diapason” motif.
The door panel itself has been lightened overall both formally and in terms of actual weight to underscore the sportiness of the cockpit.
In the central area of the cockpit is a link between Ferrari’s past and future, the iconic gear-gate theme here given a modern twist. This is the first time it has appeared on a V12 car and mirrors the spirit of the 812 Competizione and the marque’s tradition.
812 Competizione A
The 812 Competizione A (A for Aperta or Open in Italian) provided the Ferrari Styling Centre with the chance to use the modifications required for the rear of the car to create a striking architecture.\
The flying buttress concept, which has long been a much-loved part of Ferrari tradition, harmonises with the arrow theme of the front created by the blade and lends a sense of forward thrust to the car’s body, and sets it apart from the coupe.
The car’s centre of gravity appears lower, particularly when seen from the side, not only because of the roof and wraparound windscreen that flows into the side windows, but also because the flying buttresses at the rear are lower than in the 812 Competizione.
With the Targa top stowed, the roll bars partly jut out above the rest of the bodywork but because they are carbon-fibre, they become secondary visual elements and so do not compromise the broader, more squat stance created by the flying buttresses. This amplifies the visual lowering of the side view.
In the closed configuration, the roll bars connect with the roof structure forming a seamless unit. The targa top is made from carbon-fibre to create a sense of aesthetic continuity with the roll-bars. In the open-top configuration, it is stowed in a compartment with the same design shape as the targa itself. Being able to stow the top at any time means the car can be enjoyed, whatever the weather.
A 7-year maintenance programme
Ferrari is selling the the 812 Competizione and the 812 Competizione A with an extended seven-year maintenance programme.
Available across the entire range, it covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This scheduled maintenance programme is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years. This service is also available to owners of pre-owned Ferraris.
Regular maintenance (at intervals of either 20,000km or once a year with no mileage restrictions), original spares and checks by staff trained at the Ferrari Training Centre in Maranello using modern diagnostic tools are just some of the advantages of the Genuine Maintenance Programme. The service is available in all markets worldwide and from all dealerships on the Official Dealership Network.
The Genuine Maintenance programme further extends the range of after-sales services offered by Ferrari to satisfy clients wishing to preserve the performance of their cars.
