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Living up to its name | 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast First Drive

What's in a name? In the case of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, a numerical reference to its 800-(metric) horsepower, 12-cylinder engine and a not-so-subtle hint at its capability for extreme rates of travel. Only Ferrari, notorious for joyously naming its flagship "LaFerrari," could get away with the moniker. But once you get past the super-obvious nomenclature, it becomes hard to argue with this on-the-nose model name. If you're lucky enough to have sampled the standard F12 and one of the 799 F12 TDFs offered to Ferrari's most loyal clients, you've got a pretty good idea of the 812 Superfast's personality, which involves a blend of the TDF's edginess and the F12's comfort and usability. Even within the rarified world of supercars, the 812's athleticism is impressive despite its veil of approachability. More power, to the tune of 789 horsepower (versus the TDF's 769) combined with weight loss of 132 pounds make it the highest-performance standard production model Ferrari in history. (For reference, the TDF trims an even more impressive 242 pounds, ditching niceties like sound insulation.) Along with mechanical and aerodynamic improvements, the elevated power-to-weight ratio enables it to hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 mph. The main attraction is, of course, the 6.5-liter V12, which boasts 75 percent new parts and undergoes a series of mods to raise its output while (thankfully) retaining its naturally aspirated soul. A stroked version of the F12's 6.3-liter mill, the V12 features new pistons, new con-rods, a reinforced crankcase, and a trick new direct-fuel-injection system that runs at a staggering 5,076 psi. The system is capable of changing the shape of fuel droplets as they're injected into the combustion chamber, adjusting for around-town drivability or balls-to-the-wall performance. A revised air intake system incorporates a new plenum and bigger air inlet with wider throttle valves for better breathing. Silver lining: CO2 emissions have been reduced thanks to the new injection system and reduced friction from new 5W50 engine oil. Each of the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission's gears has been shortened, which has the virtual effect of producing an extra 50 horsepower – as if the mighty V12 was wanting for oomph. Upshifts can now happen 30 percent quicker, and the engine's ability to rev-match for downshifts occurs 40 percent faster.

Ferrari fined 50,000 euros after Kimi Raikkonen runs over mechanic

MANAMA, Bahrain — Ferrari was fined 50,000 euros ($61,385) on Sunday after one of its Formula One mechanics was hit by Kimi Raikkonen's car and suffered a broken leg during a Bahrain Grand Prix pitstop. Raikkonen, who had been in third place, was told to stop immediately and retired in the pitlane while teammate Sebastian Vettel went on to win. At an IndyCar race in Phoenix over the weekend, meanwhile, Alexander Rossi and Sebastien Bourdais both also were penalized when they made contact with their mechanics. Ferrari said the mechanic on the left rear wheel, named only as Francesco, had been taken to hospital with a suspected shin bone and fibula fracture. He was knocked over as the Finn was wrongly given the signal to leave with only three tires replaced and the other still to be removed. "I go when the light is green. I don't see what happens behind and unfortunately he got hurt," said Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion. "My job is to go when the light says so. Hopefully, he's OK." The Finn was left sitting in his car for a while before stepping out while the mechanics focused on their stricken team mate on the floor. Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne wished the mechanic a speedy recovery in his post-race statement. "I am sorry for Kimi who could certainly have finished on the podium," he added. It was the second time Ferrari had been penalized for an unsafe release over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. It was fined 5,000 euros after Raikkonen was sent out of the pits with a loose wheel in Friday practice. Race stewards said that in Sunday's incident the car was released "in a manner endangering team personnel and causing injury." Reporting by Alan BaldwinRelated Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Getty Motorsports Ferrari Racing Vehicles F1 Kimi Raikkonen sebastien bourdais

New Ferrari 812 prototype spotted crawling around Maranello

In late 2018 the FerrariChat forum lit up with word that Ferrari planned three special editions of the 812Superfast. We saw one of them last November, in the targa-topped 812 GTS. The second was rumored to go even further with the undress, boasting a speedster-like form omitting the roof entirely as well as most of the windshield. If that arrives, it would slot into an expanding segment of supercar speedsters like the McLaren Elva and mysterious roofless Aston Martin. The third model was spoken of as a hardcore variant called 812 Monza or 812 MM, for Mille Miglia. Instagram user Wilco Blok posted photos taken by Lorenzo Roman that show a blacked-out 812 in prototype form prowling the streets of Modena. This is thought to be our first glimpse of what could be that hardcore variant, which The Supercar Blog now says "is being referred to as the 812 GTO."   This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The changes look mild for the moment, but could stand out when in full dress akin to the massaging given the F12 TDF compared to the standard F12. The prototype 812's front intake has opened up, set into a bumper that's had its creases smoothed over and could be slightly wider. The side sills have been taped over, and the air extractors in the rear fenders behind the rear wheels have been covered. In back, new bodywork protrudes around the exhaust outlets on both sides with what appears to be additional venting. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Autoevolution suspects this Ferrari will be the last to make use of the F140 V12 that the Enzo introduced to the world in 2002. Having started with a 6.0-liter displacement and an output of 641 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque in the Enzo, the figures have risen to 6.5-liters with 789 hp and 530 lb-ft in the 812Superfast. The outlet thinks Ferrari will up the 8,500 rpm redline in the hardcore 812 beyond the 9,000 rpm found in the 789-hp LaFerrari, in order to coax a naturally aspirated 850 hp from the 12-cylinder. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Ferrari likes to make splashes at the Geneva Motor Show, so there's a chance that's where we'll find out what the 812 has in store next.