Ferrari has finally uncovered its new V12 flagship model - to be called the F12berlinetta. The 599's replacement is set to be officially revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, but Ferrari has released a computer generated video of the car today (Feb 29, 2012).
Ferrari says that the new F12berlinetta is the most powerful and high performance road car it has ever created. Its 6.3-litre V12 engine produces 740hp at 8,500rpm and 690Nm of torque at 6,000rpm (80% of that torque is available at just 2,500rpm). Front mid-engined in layout, the weight distribution is 46% front, 54% rear, with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.1kg/hp. That translates to a maximum speed of about 340km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds. Economy, if that matters, is 18.8mpg (15 litres/100km).
Typically, much work has been done in the wind tunnel, Ferrari's aerodynamicists having achieved 123kg of downforce at 200km/h, which the F12berlinetta reaches in just 8.5 seconds. That's bonkers quick.
Constructed from an aluminium spaceframe the F12berlinetta weighs in at 1,575kg - or 70kg less than the outgoing 599. The new car features the latest generation of Ferrari carbon ceramic brakes, magnetorheological suspension and drive control systems including E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac and ABS. All this allows the F12berlinetta achieve a benchmark Fiorano lap time of 1 minute 23 seconds - faster than the extreme 599 GTO.
If you've not already had a private preview or spoken to your Ferrari dealer then form an orderly, expensive queue. Further details on Ferrari's new car will be revealed at its Geneva Show debut next week, but until then enjoy the video by clicking here.