As the 21st Century closed in, Ferrari began producing some of their best grand tourers, starting with the Ferrari 550 Maranello, which paved the way for the Ferrari 575 Maranello and Ferrari 599 that set the stage for the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, easily one of the most hardcore Ferrari grand tourers. With a 730 horsepower V12 naturally aspirated V12 engine, it was among the most powerful road cars of its time and remains a viable option for thrill-seeking drivers. The only disadvantage is that Ferrari didn't offer a manual transmission option for the F12 Berlinetta as they did for the Ferrari 599. Nonetheless, there are other things to appreciate about it, such as its luxurious appointed cabin and its stunning looks, fashioned as a collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina design teams, that never seem to go out of date even in the face of newer supercars. Some enthusiasts even find it hard to distinguish the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta from its successor, the Ferrari 812 Superfast. But make no mistake and let its looks fool you. The F12 Berlinetta's speed on the road is only eclipsed by its formidable performance on the track, showcasing its prowess in both environments. Its capacity for speed and power, as Jeremy Clarkson eloquently puts it, enables it to deliver top-tier performance that leaves any driver daring enough to reach its limits in sheer delight. At approximately $250,000, owning a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta becomes an option, yet when compared to newer supercars, would it be your preferred choice for a garage addition?
Ferrari introduced the Ferrari F12 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, replacing the Ferrari 599, which is undoubtedly one of the best cars from the 2000s. The Ferrari 599 had a 6.0-liter (5,999 cc) V12, hence its name, and it was similar to the V12 used in the Ferrari 575 and Ferrari 599 but with larger displacement due to an increased bore and stroke, hence more power. Ferrari applied the same to the F12 Berlinetta's V12, increasing displacement to 6.3-liters. For the design, the Ferrari Styling Center collaborated with Pininfarina under Flavio Manzoni's leadership to blend aerodynamic efficiency and aesthetics seamlessly. Additionally, the design integrated Ferrari's technological design enhancements, which we'll discuss in a bit in the car's exterior design. Throughout its production from 2012 to 2017, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta earned extensive praise and recognition mainly for its design and performance. Still, the interior also earned broad approval for its refinement in all aspects. For these and many other reasons, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta received several accolades, such as the Top Gear Supercar of The Year in 2012, the Robb Reports Car of the Year Award recognized for its blend of high performance and luxury, and won the ADI Compasso d'Oro Award for its design. Additionally, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta's 6.3-liter engine won EVO magazine's Engine Of The Year Award. It has been estimated that Ferrari made about 5,000 examples of the F12 Berlinetta, all at the Italian automaker's plant in Maranello, Italy. The production number excludes Ferrari F12 limited and special production examples such as the Ferrari F12tdf, F12 Berlinetta SG50 Edition, and F12 TRS.
Unleashing extraordinary power to the road, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta conceals a beastly 730-horsepower 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 beneath its sleek curvature that revs to 8,700 rpm while sending its power through the rpm range to the rear wheels in true Ferrari fashion. Despite its hefty curb weight approaching 3,600 pounds (3,593 pounds), it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.1 seconds and attains a top speed exceeding 311 mph. The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is technically a mid-engine supercar, even with a front engine layout, as the engine is behind the front axle. Power transfer to the rear axle is made possible by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission mated to a transaxle and managed through several implementations such as electronic differential, and driver assists, some of which are F1-derived, like the F1-Trac traction control and an auxiliary braking system. These coordinate to transfer the 508 lb.ft of torque most intelligently and efficiently possible to get the most out of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta's power. The standard factory-installed carbon ceramic brakes provide exceptional stopping power, particularly useful in high-speed braking situations such as a corner after a straight during a track day, which the F12 Berlinetta was purposely built for. Thanks to their durability, you'll most likely find a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta with carbon ceramics should you decide to buy one.
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta's interior design combines ergonomic functionality and luxurious artistry, showcasing a blend of materials carefully selected and utilized to give the cabin an ambiance befitting a high-performance grand tourer. Ferrari placed all the car's major controls on the steering wheels, and all the essential information is displayed on the instrument cluster, enhancing the driver's attention on the road. There's no infotainment display on the dashboard, but instead, you get aluminum and carbon fiber vents that complement the cabin's overall aesthetics sitting as the dashboard centerpieces. Some buyers optioned their Ferrari F12 Berlinettas with the optional LED display strip that keeps the passenger involved in the driving experience by displaying speed, driving gear, track telemetry, and rpm band. As standard, Ferrari sold the F12 Berlinetta with carbon bucket seats lined with the finest Italian leather, which are well-padded to ensure maximum support during spirited driving while offering exceptional comfort. The use of exposed carbon fiber extends to the door cards, part of the steering wheel, and the center console, incorporating the leather stretching from the dashboard. With the engine at the front, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta's practicality is better than most supercars in its class, both new and discontinued. The cabin has enough luggage space that extends to the trunk since there's no cabin divider, making it the perfect weekend getaway car for two.
Ferrari describes the F12 Berlinetta as an expression of the pure Ferrari DNA, balancing sportiness and efficiency as its design strikes the perfect balance between maximum aerodynamic efficiency and the elegant proportions typical of Ferrari's front-engined V12 cars. The nose is significantly larger and longer than the rest of the car's proportions, giving the car a predatory stance. It is designed to accommodate the engine that sits behind the rear axle. However, it's also designed to minimize drag, featuring a tapered design and an aerodynamically focused front bumper with large air intakes feeding the ever-demanding V12 with volumes of air and cooling the front brakes. There's nothing too dramatic about the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta's side profile, but you can't fail to notice the sharp side skirts and beautifully sculpted flanks. The front splitter integrated into the bumper is also a key element, managing airflow to the flat underbody, which ends at the rear bumper, pronouncing diffuser flanked by dual exhaust tips on each side, singing the V12's symphony. Characterizing the rear-end appeal is an interpretation of the kamm tail, a classic rear-end styling feature that integrates two fences of the rear diffuser, resulting in a T-shape at the middle, which incorporates two full-LED circular taillights and an F1-inspired fog light.
Among its vast technological repertoire, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has some of the most innovative features yet to be seen in road cars. For instance, it has active brake cooling that Ferrari claims eliminates brake fade and allows the brakes to deliver an excellent stopping distance measured at 430 feet from 120 mph. The active brake cooling works through electronically controlled vanes in the brake cooling vents, and when closed, the vanes act as an aerodynamic solution, helping reduce drag. The Ferrari F12's Berlinetta's suspension rapid response time is a marvel and is enabled by magnetorheological dampers with twin solenoids using an alterable viscosity fluid through a magnetic fluid inside each damper. This enables more precise bump control, improving performance and ride comfort regardless of the driving surface. One more thing worth noting is the E-diff (electronic differential) integrated into the transmission. Ferrari did this primarily to save weight, but the electronic differential itself offers enhanced traction compared to traditional differentials, thus improving handling through its quick responsiveness, allowing for more precise and controlled maneuvers.
Purchasing a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta at its debut required around $320,000, a justifiable price given its array of offerings and performance. Over time, it has held up its value but gradually reduced over the years, making it more accessible to potential buyers. The average market price for a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is estimated at around $250,000, rendering it a compelling choice for those seeking top-tier performance at a relatively lower price point. Interested in a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta? We've got you covered here at Exotic Car Trader. Our platform has a host of Ferrari F12 Berlinettas for sale, and if there's none or you can't find any that matches your taste, regularly check back as we update our Ferrari listings frequently.
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta set a new standard for grand tourers when first produced and continues to remain an icon in its segment today as one of the best and never-aging grand tourers ever made. It appeals to any petrolhead with its exceptional display of uncompromising performance and style, leaving an indelible memory in anyone who comes across one. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! With a considerably lower market value, the F12 Berlinetta presents a compelling option for buyers seeking top-tier performance at a relatively lower price point. So, what's holding you back from buying one?
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