The Ferrari F12: Batteries Not Included

February 20, 2014
Story By
Albert Roxas

The latest run of hypercars are all utilizing some kind of hybrid technology to aid in performance. The McLaren P1 uses IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) which is more than twice as powerful as a KERS system - producing 176bhp versus the KERS set-up’s 81bhp. The Porsche 918 hybrid system supplements with 107HP while the LaFerrari one adds 161HP. While something can be said for battery-powered performance, the Ferrari F12, a hyper-GT car if you will, produces all of its 731HP the old fashioned way with a full-fledged oil burning, gas guzzling V12.

That’s not to say the F12 doesn’t feel like an electric car. The torque is instantaneous – just like driving a Tesla S. I’ve been in (and driven) my fair share of exotic high performance cars and I’d have to say the F12 is easily the fastest car I’ve been in and chased by (not just by seat of the pants, it is THE fastest Ferrari currently produced – yes, faster than an Enzo). The amount of ground it devours, yes – devours, is astonishing. During a simple run after Cars and Coffee I kept finding myself trying to give ample distance between the F12 and myself. Despite my attempts (and some very hard pulls) I could’ve put a ¼ mile in between us and it honestly wouldn’t have mattered.

The F12’s motor isn’t just a big overpowering monger, it’s actually so finely tuned that it doesn’t need catalytic converters…talk about running GREEN. The 48 valve V12 provides quite the symphony as well, no need for aftermarket exhaust as once the valves open the F12 emits joyous sounds of F1’s past. There are few noises that neighbors won’t complain about at 6AM on a Saturday morning – granted, mine are used to having my friends come by - but it’s always the F12 (or the Carrera GT) that have my neighbors asking me what kind of car was in the driveway earlier.

Surrounding the motor is Ferrari’s design theory of an “Aero Bridge” – "uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag." That means that the F12 doesn’t need a giant wing or low slung chin spoiler in order to keep it from taking off - and with 731 HP and a top speed over 200mph, I’d bet that it could. Active vents in the front open and close as required for braking and aerodynamic needs. I obviously got a lot of time with the front of the F12 breathing down my neck in my rearview, so the mental image is burned in my mind.

One might think that controlling the F12 would seem to be a challenge in itself, but it all comes together quite well, especially from the luxurious and well-appointed cockpit. As any great GT should, the F12 has boutique grade leather with amazing hand stitching, a good dose of carbon fiber and shocker – a cup holder. Long, or even daily drives, are easily manageable in the F12 - with more than enough room for taller drivers, packages and other air space not usually found in performance exotics of this magnitude.

The steering wheel is straight out of a video game, with buttons for turn signals and dual screens on either side of the tach that provide the information you choose to select. Neat fact: The vents used in the F12 are the same vents that are used in the Ferrari’s latest flagship – the LaFerrari. I can personally attest to the plush carpet and the need for a passenger kick plate as I often found myself “passenger braking” with my foot instinctively!

The F12 is the best of both worlds, old school horsepower with new school technology. By far the ultimate grand touring car, the Ferrari F12’s hypercar performance and good looks make it an extremely easy vehicle to live with (not to mention that the McLaren P1, 918 and LaFerrari are all but sold out/unavailable). While the Ferrari F12 doesn’t use the latest hybrid tech that the latest hypercars do, it performs at the same level... all without requiring batteries for a power boost.

The Ferrari F12: Batteries Not Included

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