Ferrari 812 Superfast: A Masterpiece You Feel With Your Chest, Not Just Your Hands
I remember the first time I thumbed the red starter in a Ferrari 812 Superfast. The V12 doesn’t merely awaken; it clears its throat like an opera singer about to bring the house down. The Ferrari 812 Superfast isn’t a car you “test.” It’s a car you live with for a day and replay for months. On a quiet stretch of road, it feels almost civilized—grand tourer calm, pliant ride in Bumpy Road mode. Then you give it half a pedal and, well, Superfast stops being a name and becomes a warning label.
Ferrari 812 Superfast: Where It Came From and Why It Matters
Successor to the much-loved F12 Berlinetta, the Ferrari 812 Superfast broke cover at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show and promptly reset the bar for front‑engined super GTs. It was the first Ferrari road car to pair electric power steering with its Side Slip Control and rear‑wheel steering (Ferrari calls it Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0). Translation: a big V12 with the reflexes of a ballerina. The 812 also refined the aero game—bonnet ducts, side louvres, and active flaps—all working to keep the nose clean and the rear planted without the undignified fuss of a giant wing.
Ferrari 812 Superfast Performance: V12 Fireworks, Everyday Finesse
Under that long, theatrical hood sits a naturally aspirated 6.5‑liter V12. No turbos. No hybrid crutches. Just lungs. Factory figures say 789 hp and 530 lb‑ft, 0–60 mph in roughly 2.8 seconds, and a 211‑mph top end. The 7‑speed dual‑clutch cracks through gears like it’s reading your next move. What really sticks with you is the reach—how it surges from 6,000 rpm to the near‑9,000 rpm redline with a kind of ravenous, spine‑tingling pull you don’t forget.
- Steering: light yet telepathic; you place it on the crown of a B‑road and it stays there.
- Rear‑wheel steering: shrinks the car around hairpins; at speed, it breathes stability.
- Bumpy Road mode: a miracle on broken city tarmac—yes, I tried it—keeps the chassis tied down without thumping your kidneys.
- Carbon‑ceramic brakes: heroic, though the initial bite can feel a touch eager until your right foot calibrates.
Living With the Ferrari 812 Superfast: The Grand Tourer Side
I was surprised how usable the 812 is. The cabin is snug but not stingy; those carbon‑backed seats hold you in place without punishing you on a two‑hour cruise. At 70 mph, the V12 hums politely in the background—quiet enough to talk without raising your voice. The boot is actually useful for a weekend duffel and a jacket (or two); Alpine ski weekend? You’ll pack light, but you won’t suffer. Quirks? The infotainment can be fiddly and the passenger display is more party trick than must‑use feature. The A‑pillars are chunky, and that epic bonnet makes tight city car parks a slow‑motion game of nerves. Worth it? Every time.
Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Rivals: How It Stacks Up
| Car | Layout/Engine | Power | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | What It Feels Like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari 812 Superfast | Front‑engine, NA 6.5L V12, RWD | 789 hp | ~2.8 s | 211 mph | Operatic, razor‑edged GT with astonishing steering feel |
| Aston Martin DBS Superleggera | Front‑engine, twin‑turbo 5.2L V12, RWD | 715 hp | ~3.4 s | 211 mph | Silken torque wave; more grand tour, less track terrier |
| Lamborghini Aventador S | Mid‑engine, NA 6.5L V12, AWD | 730 hp | ~2.9 s | 217 mph | Drama dial at 11; wide, wild, and wonderfully excessive |
| Porsche 911 Turbo S | Rear‑engine, twin‑turbo flat‑6, AWD | 640 hp | ~2.6 s | 205 mph | Clinical speed; devastating real‑world pace, less theater |
Figures are manufacturer claims and/or typical independent test results.
Parts and Accessories for the Ferrari 812 Superfast
You can go wild—or tasteful—when personalizing a Ferrari 812 Superfast. Popular routes include freer‑breathing exhausts (mind your local noise regs), uprated brake pads for track days, and suspension tweaks to sharpen turn‑in. Aerodynamic enhancements exist, though the factory setup is impressively balanced as is. Inside, owners tend to go for carbon trim, contrast stitching, and custom‑fit protection pieces—especially floor mats that actually fit and don’t slide around.
The Iconic Floor Mats of the Ferrari 812 Superfast
Sounds mundane, but good floor protection matters in a car this special. The 812’s cabin has low footwells and intricate pedal spacing, so a proper, non‑slip mat with heel reinforcement saves wear without spoiling the look. The custom-fit floor mats I tried felt premium and sat flat—no bunching, no drama. If you’ve ever had a cheap mat creep under a clutch pedal, you know why that’s important.
Prefer something louder to match Rosso Corsa bodywork? Red works a treat and looks OEM‑plus rather than aftermarket‑loud.
Conclusion: Why the Ferrari 812 Superfast Still Feels Like The Benchmark
Some cars become data points. The Ferrari 812 Superfast becomes a memory. Yes, the infotainment lags behind the Germans and parking it in tight city spaces will raise your heart rate. But the engine, the steering, the way it sprints and settles—few modern machines serve such unfiltered sensation with real grand‑touring usability. Dress it up with smart accessories, keep it properly maintained, and the 812 is more than a fast Ferrari. It’s a masterclass in why we fall in love with cars in the first place.
Ferrari 812 Superfast: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ferrari 812 Superfast still in production?
The 812 Superfast launched in 2017 and has since been phased out as Ferrari introduced successors like the limited‑run 812 Competizione and, more recently, the 12Cilindri. You’ll find the 812 Superfast on the used market and through certified pre‑owned programs.
What’s the difference between the 812 Superfast, 812 GTS, and 812 Competizione?
The 812 Superfast is the coupe. The 812 GTS adds a retractable hardtop and a small weight penalty, trading a sliver of sharpness for glorious open‑air V12 sound. The 812 Competizione is a limited‑series special with more power, lighter components, and a more track‑focused setup.
Can you daily drive a Ferrari 812 Superfast?
Surprisingly, yes—if you’re okay with the size and visibility compromises. Ride comfort in Bumpy Road mode is good, the DCT is smooth in traffic, and the cabin is quiet at a cruise. Just plan for careful parking and the occasional attention from every smartphone within 200 yards.
How expensive is maintenance on an 812?
Ferrari offers service plans on newer cars, but expect high‑end consumable costs: premium tires, carbon‑ceramic brake upkeep, and regular fluid changes. Budget more than you would for a typical luxury car, especially if you track it.
What are smart first upgrades or accessories?
Start with protective pieces—custom‑fit floor mats and a quality car cover. If you plan track time, upgrade pads and fluid. Exhausts are popular, but check local regulations and warranty implications before diving in.
