Ferrari 812 GTS, the V12 spider returns

Exactly 50 years on from the debut of the last spider in the Ferrari range to sport a front-mounted V12, the 812 GTS hails a triumphant return for a model type that has played a pivotal role in the marque’s history since its foundation.

The Ferrari V12 spider story features many iconic models and began in 1948 with the 166 MM, an authentic thoroughbred competition GT that won the two most prestigious endurance races in the world in 1949: the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The last in that long lineage was the 1969 365 GTS4, also known as the Daytona Spider because of Ferrari’s legendary victory in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona when two works 330 P4s and the NART-entered 412 P took the chequered flag side-by-side to occupy the top three places.

The front-mounted V12 architecture has not been used in a Ferrari series-production spider since the 365 GTS4. The retractable hard top (RHT), which opens in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 45 km/h, does not impinge upon the interior dimensions, thus maintaining the donor car’s roomy cockpit. The electric rear screen, which acts as a wind-stop, makes the car truly useable with the top down while, with the top up, it can be left open to allow occupants to continue to luxuriate in the naturally-aspirated V12’s unique soundtrack. 

The 812 GTS is the spider version of the 812 Superfast which unleashes a massive 800 cv at 8500 rpm and 718 Nm of torque.

As on the 812 Superfast, these performance levels were achieved in part by optimising the engine design and in part by innovations, such as the use of a 350 bar direct injection system, and the control system for the variable geometry inlet tracts, developed on naturally-aspirated F1 engines. These systems allowed the increase in displacement from 6.2 to 6.5 litres to be exploited to maximise power output whilst retaining excellent pick-up even at low revs. 

The high pressure injection system also improves nebulisation of the injected fuel thus dramatically reducing the amount of particulates emitted when the catalytic converter is warming up, and the fitment of a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) together with the Stop & Start On the Move strategy, which cuts and restart the engine while the car is on the move, ensures the engine complies with all emissions regulations.

Particular attention was also paid to calibrating the Manettino settings to enhance the engine’s potential and the sensation of extreme power delivered by the car. That said, the driver will always be able to easily and confidently dose the massive torque available with the accelerator pedal, thanks to smooth, progressive power delivery at all engine speeds.

Engine                

Type                                                                      V12 - 65°

Overall displacement                                     6496 cc

Bore and stroke                                                                94x78 mm

Maximum power output                              588kW (800cv) at 8500 rpm

Maximum torque*                                          718 Nm at 7000 rpm

Specific power output                                   123 cv/l

Max. engine speed                                         8.900 rpm

Compression ratio                                           13.6:1

Dimensions and weight

Length                                                                  4693 mm

Width                                                                    1971 mm

Height                                                                   1276 mm

Wheelbase                                                         2720 mm

Front track                                                          1672 mm

Rear track                                                            1645 mm

Dry weight                                                       1600kg

Weight distribution                                   47% ant - 53% post

Boot capacity                                                 210 l

Fuel tank capacity                                       92 l

Tyres                  

Front                                                                     275/35 ZR 20” 10” J                         

Rear                                                                       315/35 ZR 20” 11.5” J

Brakes

Front                                                                     398x223x38 mm

Rear                                                                       360x233x32 mm

Transmission and gearbox                     7-speed dual-clutch gearbox     

Performance                  

0-100 km/h                                                         <3.0 sec

0-200 km/h                                                         8.3 sec

Max. speed                                                        over340 km/h

Source: Ferrari