In the electric car era, a V12 gasoline engine battle is heating up

Ferrari introduced its next twelve-cylinder powered supercar in Miami Beach on the 70^th anniversary of the brand’s entrance into the American market. The Ferrari 12Cilindri stands on the shoulders of its front-engine, V12 grand touring predecessors from the ’50s and ’60s, but also from first vehicle that rolled out of the factory in Maranello, Italy in 1947.

The Italian brand news arrives on the heels of Aston Martin introduced a new twelve-cylinder engine. Aston Martin says, like Ferrari, its newest and most powerful engine will go into its flagship. For Aston it’s the Vanquish, for Ferrari it’s the 12Cilindri. Neither new engine is electrified.

“There are several things happening. One, electric vehicle growth continues but is attracting a more pragmatic buyer and jumping the chasm from early adopter/tech buyers to pragmatic buyers is difficult and choppy. This is true of ultra-luxury as well as affordable vehicles, because the transition is not only about pricing. Technology adoption curves apply at all price points,” Stephanie Brinley, associate director of research and analysis at S&P Global, told Newsweek.

The 12Cilindri’s sheetmetal features geometric lines and large flanks, some of which are colored black to look like more a window. Ferrari says the car marks a clear departure from the previous design of the 812 Competizione. The hood hinges in the front like other classic Ferraris while two vents send cool air to the engine bay.

In the back the 12Cilindri features a blade that stretches the width of the vehicle but surprisingly with no rear spoiler. Instead it uses two active flaps integrated with the rear window. The tail can be specified in black or carbon fiber, also including two twin tailpipes.

The two-seat supercar will deliver 818 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels from the naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) powerplant with 80 percent of that torque available early, at just 2,500 rpm. Ferrari says the 12Cilindri is aimed at enthusiasts like usual, but also new clients who want to become Ferrari connoisseurs.

The 6.5-liter V12 features reduced weight and inertia compared to the previous engine now with titanium connecting rods and a new aluminum alloy for the pistons, all of which allows for quicker throttle response, which was already at a high level. Ferrari says the vehicle will get to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds.

Ferrari made more changes to improve the torque delivery in all conditions. It also uses a software strategy that can modify the maximum torque available depending on the gear selected. Ferrari says this smooths out acceleration as transmission ratio increases. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission features paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The new exhaust system will bellow the typical V12 Ferrari howl by integrating and calibrating the high and low frequencies coming from the intake and exhaust systems. Ferrari engineers modified the position of the resonators and baffles resulting in a fuller sound.

The interior of the 12Cilindri is split into three different levels that are clearly definied. The upper part of the dash blends into the door panel, the central area features the controls while the third includes the footwells and seats, all with different colors and materials. Ferrari says the interior style takes its inspiration from the Ferrari Roma and Roma Spider along with the Purosangue SUV.

The armrest is styled to look like it’s floating and features a Y-shaped metal accent. The glass roof is tinted while the rest of the cabin is centered around the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system flanked by a 15.6-inch driver display. As expected, even in a low-volume supercar, the 12Cilindri comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging. A 15-speaker Burmester audio system is optional.

No matter the power delivery system, gasoline, electricity or both, Ferrari sells every vehicle it builds. The general rules of the market still apply to brand, however, it can bend them more than most due to its low volume and discerning clientele. It has a plan for hybrids and EVs with $4.6 billion investment announced in 2022, which will see the brands lineup consist of 60 percent hybrid and electric vehicles by 2026.

The Ferrari 12Cilindri will be offered in coupe or convertible starting at $423,000, both with top speeds above 200 miles per hour. However, cars like these rarely go on sale at a dealership. They’re usually first scooped up by a collector with several other Ferraris in the garage.

“It has long been speculated that we may see an environment where certain coveted performance vehicles will continue to survive through EV transition and perhaps later,” said Brinley. “One reason for Ferrari and Aston Martin to continue with these special, exotic V12 engines is that there remain people who want them. Though both brands will embrace more electrification over time, there is still a place in the enthusiast heart for something like the Ferrari 12Cilindri.”