Ferrari 12Cilindri vs 812 Superfast: Italy Lets Fly JDM-Looking Mega GT To Replace Paragon

It cannot be stressed enough just how incredible of a car the 812 Superfast is. It is the result of decades of hard work, the goal being to perfect the luxury super GT recipe to the point where it literally cannot get any better under conventional power.

The 812 Superfast and its convertible sibling, the 812 GTS are the result of everything Ferrari learned from the F12berlinetta, which in turn owes its existence to the 599 GTB Fiorano. We’re talking two different generations of flagship spec perfection morphing into the 812 Superfast. Some even say the latter has no real rivals.

Think about it; the Aventador isn’t a grand tourer, while the Bentley Continental GT is more of a luxury coupe. The 812 Superfast, like the F12 and the 599, has always been in a league of its own.

Fast-forward to May 2nd, 2024, and the 812 Superfast, together with the GTS, have officially become “past models” as far as Ferrari is concerned – you can go to their website right now, and that’s the designation under which you’ll find them.

In their place we have the 12Cilindri and the 12Cilindri Spider, which on paper at least, are “saying” all the right things. However, before we dive into the numbers, we must talk about the styling, which is quite controversial (although it’ll probably grow on us in the future).

Design

There’s something inherently elegant about the 812 Superfast. Its design is based on the F12berlinetta, which is a good thing seeing as how the latter is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. Looking at the 812, you can’t help but be mesmerized by its flowing shoulder line, bulging arches, evil-looking headlights and quad circular taillights.

This isn’t the type of car you just up and build one day. This is a design evolution that took decades to master.

Well, as you can see, the 12Cilindri looks nothing like the 812 and F12 duo. It marks a clear departure from the sculptural language that characterized the former two, favoring instead a more modern, perhaps even sophisticated aesthetic – which sounds good, but I’m not too sure it suits Ferrari as well as it might suit other brands, like Jaguar, for instance.

Instead of curves, we get clean lines. Instead of bulges, we get sharp flanks. It’s a more functional approach. Yes, it’s still sensual to an extent, but it’ll take some getting used to. Some of you might like the smooth, uninterrupted surfaces of the new 12Cilindri, whereas others will prefer the 812’s muscular posture.

The same can be said about the rear end, which on the 12Cilindri features an almost monolithic design. Very modern, yes, but perhaps better suited to a Ferrari supercar rather than a super GT – hopefully you understand the difference.

Ultimately, the styling of this 812 replacement, to me, feels surprisingly Japanese rather than Italian. It’s not an ugly car by any stretch of the imagination. It’s just not what certain Ferrari purists would have expected, trust me.

What’s in a name?

Look, I understand why this car is called the 12Cilindri, I just don’t understand why Ferrari thought that going with this moniker was the best idea. To be fair, when it comes to car names, Ferrari can be a little bit hit or miss. The 812 Superfast doesn't exactly have a very creative name.

I’m not even going to attempt to rename it (as I sometimes do with certain new cars), but a car like this needs an adjective of sorts.

Interior

Unlike the exterior, the cockpit of the 12Cilindri does remind us of what we saw inside the 812 Superfast, although technically, the layout itself is more reminiscent of what we got with the Roma and Purosangue.

Like it or not, there’s a lot of new tech to get excited about, such as the new HMI system comprising three displays (a central 12.25” touchscreen, a 15.6” driver display, and an 8.8” passenger display). Then you’ve got the capacitive steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a wireless charging pad for your mobile phone (as standard), plus optional goodies such as the Burmester sound system with its 15 loudspeakers and 1600 W of power.

I’d say there’s little to nothing worth nitpicking here. If you love the interior of the 812 Superfast, you’ll feel right at home inside the new 12Cilindri too. I do miss the former’s circular vents though, as they added an extra touch of elegance.

Also, something might feel a bit off about a Ferrari cockpit full of displays, but that certainly can’t be helped from a design standpoint. It’s simply the world we live in now.

Performance

Let’s just run through all the pertinent numbers, starting with the 812 Superfast. It’s powered by a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, generating 789 hp (800 ps) and 530 lb-ft (718 Nm) of torque. With the help of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 812 will rocket to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, before maxing out at 211 mph (340 kph).

The 12Cilindri comes with a modified version of that same engine, putting down 819 hp (830 ps) and 500 lb-ft (678 Nm) of torque. That’s right, it’s got less torque than the 812, but it’s just as quick to 60 mph on paper, aided by the SF90 Stradale’s sensational 8-speed DCT gearbox.

12Cilindri Spider vs. 812 GTS

Last, but not least, let’s talk about the convertible variants. Dare I say, there’s an even bigger issue with the Spider version of the 12Cilindri from a visual standpoint, because its slightly controversial design language is now split down the middle, instead of acting as one continuous sleek surface.

I like the 812 GTS’ styling better with the convertible top down, I just do.

Also worth mentioning is how the 812 GTS will fold its electronically operated hard top in 14 seconds at speeds of up to 28 mph (45 kph). The 12Cilindri Spider boasts the exact same hard top specs, so it’s likely they share identical mechanisms. What’s better with the latter is headroom, thanks to a dual curvature above the heads of the driver and passenger.

According to Ferrari, the 12Cilindri Spider’s cabin is extremely quiet even when driving with the roof down, allowing for a normal conversation to be held (without raising your voice) at speeds up to and beyond 124 mph (200 kph).

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new Ferrari grand tourer, you might as well get the 12Cilindri. It’s the newer car, and it’ll attract more attention. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s better than the 812 Superfast, because on paper, the improvements are few and far between, but as long as money isn’t an issue, just go for it and don’t look back.

However, if your choice is to either keep the 812 Superfast you already own or trade it in for the 12Cilindri (plus however much cash the difference is), honestly, I think I’d rather just keep the 812. It’s perfection.