2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast

Chassis No. ZFF83CLA6J0234811
Few, if any, car manufacturers experience the burden of expectation quite as Ferrari does. The automotive world's most fabled marque enjoys a global following - not to mention a discerning clientele - more demanding and anticipatory than any other; their new models constantly measured not only against those of their peers, but also against Maranello's own legends of the past.
Ever since the introduction in 1950 of Ferrari's first bona fide Grand Touring car, the 166 Inter, front-engined GT cars have formed a vital and charismatic component of the company's product range, and of their folklore. Indeed, successive generations of GT cars such as the 250 GT, 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 Daytona and 550 Maranello are all natural selections for inclusion on any list of the company's all-time great cars; each of them sharing the classic Ferrari combination of a front-mounted V12 engine, rear-wheel drive and, of course, that unmistakable sound.
Recent years have seen Ferrari adopt race-bred technology, styling cues and even nomenclature from their glorious past, with hallowed names such as GTO, California, Lusso and Superfast all revived in the past decade or so in the context of the contemporary supercar. But this bold policy comes with significant risks attached: given the near mythical status of the '60s originals, can their latter-day namesakes go beyond mere hat-tipping and emotional engineering? In short, can they possibly both honour past glories and satisfy present day expectations simultaneously?
First introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the 812 Superfast was essentially a significantly updated version of its highly capable predecessor, the F12berlinetta. In contrast to many of its ancestors - whose numerical designations referred to their individual cylinder capacities - the new car employed an altogether more assertive logic: the 8 in its moniker hinted at its outrageous near-800 horsepower output, while the 12 - naturally - referred to its cylinder count. Meanwhile, its Superfast suffix was a respectful nod to its 1960s namesake, the 500 Superfast; at the time Ferrari's fastest, most powerful and most exclusive production model.
Appropriately, the 812 was similarly immoderate in its specification; its 6.5 liter Tipo F140-GA V12 engine boasting some 789 horsepower - an increase of 30 over the version used in the F12 and remarkably almost 140 more than the original version first used in the era-defining Enzo some 15 years earlier. Indeed, not only was the 812 Superfast the most powerful normally aspirated Ferrari ever made; it was, at the time of its introduction, the most powerful normally aspirated production car ever made as well.
Given the car's prodigious output, its other major components and control systems were developed with this in mind. A rear-mounted, 7-speed dual clutch gearbox offered both shorter indirect ratios and noticeably improved shift times relative to those of the F12, while the 812's Brembo-designed carbon-ceramic braking system - carried over substantially from the flagship LaFerrari model - was found to be a significant improvement on that fitted to the car's predecessor as well. Other technical improvements found on the 812 included a new torque-variable electric power steering system, rear-wheel steering and a revised traction control system. In aerodynamic terms, the 812 abounded with a mixture of active and passive technology; the moveable aerodynamic flaps within the rear diffuser - designed to open at high speed to reduce drag - and a front diffuser which can either accelerate or stall airflow being particularly noteworthy.
In performance terms, the 812 broke new boundaries. With a top speed of 211 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, the only faster car in Ferrari's range at the time of its introduction was the LaFerrari and even then, by only 7 mph and 0.3 seconds respectively. Yet in spite of this other-worldly performance, the 812 remained resolutely a classic Ferrari GT car, exhibiting surprising levels of refinement and an unerring ability to cover long distances in complete comfort.
First dispatched from Maranello to Orlando-based Ferrari of Central Florida, this particular car was delivered in early 2018. Ordered by the vendor in Bianco Avus with corresponding Rosso Ferrari leather interior with black inserts, it also benefits from a generous near-$100,000 option package. This included - but is assuredly not restricted to - leather throughout the cabin, adaptive front lights, carbon fiber dash inserts, carbon fiber bumper and underdoor covers, a black ceramic coated exhaust system and Ferrari's ingenious (and extremely practical) suspension lifting system. It has remained in his meticulous custody ever since and had covered just 3,520 miles at the time of cataloging. In line with its single owner status the car is offered with two keys, owners manuals and key box with corresponding die-cast model.
It is widely acknowledged that the 812 Superfast represented a significant step forward from the already highly accomplished F12 which it replaced. With its dramatic looks, impressive technical specification, formidable performance yet commendable practicality, it is surely worthy of consideration as a truly great Ferrari GT car, very much evoking the spirit of its forebears - and, crucially, its namesake.
Furthermore, as motor manufacturers increasingly look towards hybrid technologies and smaller turbocharged engines, the future of large capacity, normally aspirated, multi-cylinder engines appears uncertain. It is therefore entirely feasible that the 812 may represent the last front-engined, normally aspirated V12 Ferrari ever constructed; not to mention the most powerful atmospheric production Ferrari ever produced. This possible scenario ensures that any potential sales opportunity should be considered seriously; a situation highlighted in the case of such a pristine and well-provenanced example as this.