Ferrari 12Cilindri Review: Operatic Thrill

What we like:

Purist engine

Perfect gearbox

Sublime handling

What we dislike:

Awkward looks

Some cheap interior materials

NVH not the best

I’ve got a confession to make: I’ve never driven a V12 Ferrari before. The 12Cilindri would be my first taste of the rarified world of 12-cylinder Ferraris.

Naturally, there are a lot of expectations that build up prior. We’re talking about illustrious forebears like the 599 GTB, F12berlinetta and the 812 Superfast.

V12 Ferraris have always been not just about the sportiness, but also the breadth of ability. The sheer capacity of the engine allows the car to be driven sedately and still feel generously endowed, or to be stretched to the nines to feel like a true race car.

Of course, there’s also the unmistakable V12 exhaust note, and the fact that it’s one of the most balanced engine configurations out there. All these ingredients make for a superb GT. I guess it’s no surprise that the 12Cilindri’s closest competitor, the Aston Martin Vanquish, also uses a V12, albeit a twin-turbocharged one.

Many commenters have lamented about the 12Cilindri’s looks as well as its subdued exhaust note, both of which will be addressed here.

Let’s get the looks out of the way first. I wouldn’t call the 12Cilindri a pretty thing. It does have classic GT proportions of a long bonnet and a cabin that’s pushed rearwards, but the details that attempt to hark back to historic models look a little contrived. That said, it certainly has presence on the road and when parked, especially when its clamshell bonnet is opened.

As for the exhaust note, let’s step back one second. The market shifted almost too suddenly towards EVs, and the death of the internal combustion engine (ICE) was all but certain. Many of Ferrari competitors rode along this trend, and to their detriment. Just look at Porsche’s stock performance compared to Ferrari’s, and you’d understand. So who are we to begrudge Ferrari for making a tamer-sounding V12 to appease regulators? It’s still a naturally aspirated V12, mind! If one so desires, there are aftermarket options out there that can unleash the V12 vocal chords. So I don’t think it is a big issue. Yes, it does sound quite low-key in the low to mid-range, but near to the top, the car still sings like you want it too.

As you would expect of a GT, the 12Cilindri is pleasantly damped and utterly usable on a day-to-day basis. The bumpy road mode takes things a step further and irons out potholes with ease. The front lifter is very useful for urban driving, while the car is also easy to see out of.

The interior is a tad overly designed in my opinion, with too much technology and ergonomics that aren’t so straightforward. Materials are also a little bit on the cheap side in some areas, as is the fit and finish. At least the key touchpoints are very good, like the steering wheel, the pedals and the incredible carbon fibre seats. For cruising, the only fly in the ointment is that the cabin insulation is not great, so you do hear gravel pinging onto the undercarriage as well as wind-noise being quite prevalent.

Take things up a notch and the 12Cilindri truly shines on a good road. The steering already feels good at low speeds, but in spirited driving it delivers the communication you need to work with the long wheelbase. As the power delivery is deliciously linear with a razor sharp throttle response, the 12Cilindri is very confidence-inspiring as you ply on the revs into a corner. The gearbox is also as close to perfection as it gets, working with you to extract everything you can from the engine. The car literally shrinks around you the faster you drive it.

The 12Cilindri is not perfect. But it carries the NA V12 Ferrari flag high and proud, and for that it should be celebrated. Among its rivals, the Revuelto is a more engaging drive and is infinitely quicker because of its PHEV drivetrain. But it’s not as calm and composed as the Ferrari. The Vanquish is an interesting one as it most closely matches the 12Cilindri, but its forced induction engine will offer lots more power and potentially less purist appeal as well. We shall see. If history is anything to go by, the 12Cilindri should be very competitively priced against the Aston, when the latter arrives. For now, the 12Cilindri reigns supreme for the purist gentleman.

Photos by Sean Seah

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