Red Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Ferrari’s Latest Endeavor, the F12 Berlinetta

Why I Really Don’t Like It

Red Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Photo: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

First off, let me first say that I’m a Ferrari fanatic. But then again, what car geek isn’t? If you know cars then you know there’s a long legacy that’s been around since the early 1920’s – what started as a racing passion, turned into street legal beauties that were built for speed. By 1947 Ferrari released its first road car, the 125S. Which, coincidentally, also had a V12 engine in front. After a string of then extravagant roadcars, the 1960s marked a special time for Ferrari as they stepped into the new ring with the 250 GT/O ($18,000 in 1962) – widely renowned as one of the last front-engined racers to keep pace at the highest levels of racing. It’s from here that Ferrari draws it’s latest creation, the fastest Ferrari ever to go around the Fiorano circuit (1:23)… the F12 Berlinetta

At first glance, I hate this car for a number of aesthetic reasons – it looks like a more sculpted FF (which is probably the ugliest Ferrari ever made), it seems like Ferrari’s trying to capture the Aston Martin market (just.. why?), it really feels like they just gave up being creative between this and the 599 (or even the California for that matter)… but then again, aesthetics aren’t why anyone loves this car. It’s about whats under that superlong hood. Here’s a few specs:

  • 0 to 60 in 3.1
  • 0 to 124 in 8.5
  • 740bhp and 690 lbs of torque

So what’s that mean? Well, for starters, the F12 Berlinetta is the single most powerful V12 Ferrari has ever made to date. If you’re looking for seconds, Ferrari’s (now retro) Enzo hits 60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds, which may not seem like a lot more than the 620’s 3.1, but it is. Obviously technology is the major catalyst here in Ferrari’s ability to out do itself once again, but at what cost? At what point does the 620 just become another supercar? I know it’s a Ferrari, but couldn’t you see this car just disappearing into the sea of supercars that are already on the market?

While this is all personal opinion, you could give me all the money in the world and I’d still buy a 458 Italia over the 620 any day of the week. Not just because it hits 60mph in 3 seconds flat, and not just because the engine’s in the middle, but rather because the 458 because simply looks more like a Ferrari. It looks like Ferrari tried, like they went out to prove something this time. With the Berlinetta, I don’t get that feeling. Call me crazy, call me what you will, but there’s something to be said when the design and stylings of a car are as moving as its engine is powerful.

So to me, yes, the Berlinetta is a dud, but I guess I’m more of a Lamborghini kind of guy anyway.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *