This is Ferrari's Second Time

At the end of May, intriguing news arrived from Ferrari. The Ferrari F12berlinetta" had received the ADI Compasso d'Oro Design Award.

The Compasso d'Oro Award, meaning "golden compass," is a traditional design award celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The award ceremony is held every three years, selecting 20 products that exemplify Italian creativity and technical expertise from the past three years, chosen by international designers, specialists, historians, and journalists.

The F12berlinetta was chosen for this honor.Released in 2012, I admit I thought, "Is this news now?" But hearing it's awarded only once every three years makes it understandable.

Long Nose & Short Deck Proportions

Now, about the F12berlinetta. Given its nature, opportunities to actually drive such a car are rare, but I had one this time.

As mentioned, one of its defining features is its beautiful design. The long-nose, short-deck proportions are the epitome of FR sports cars. Beneath the expansive hood lies a powerful 12-cylinder engine, and you can sense the energy being converted into motive force, driving the wide rear tires into the earth. This is conveyed even when the car is stationary.

Of course, this impression isn't just from its appearance. Ferrari, with F1 as its laboratory, harnesses aerodynamics. One example is the Aero Bridge, which creates tunnels on the front fenders to channel airflow from the top of the hood and convert it into downforce.



According to their data, they spent 5,000 hours on calculations and 250 hours in wind tunnel testing to create this. The result was a 13% increase in downforce and a 3% reduction in drag. At 200 km/h, the F12berlinetta generates 123 kg of downforce, compared to 70 kg for the Ferrari "599".

Another feature is the Active Brake Cooling. This system opens flaps below the grille on either side to direct airflow and actively cool the front brakes. While not necessary during normal driving and only effective on the track, it's a welcome feature. In fact, it's an equipment that appeals to the hearts of Ferrari owners.

While Ferrari's design often draws attention to its overall form, their approach involves meticulous calculation down to the finest details. They've incorporated many subtle, impressive touches.

The Car Feels Light

There's little need to elaborate on its driving performance, but 740 horsepower is substantial. In fact, you only get a glimpse of its power during initial acceleration or mid-range bursts; you can't experience it all. While you might feel it to some extent on a circuit, various conditions would be necessary.

Relatedly, the fact that 80% of its maximum torque is available at 2,500 rpm also contributes to not fully experiencing its power. Because it lacks peakiness, you can always drive it in lower gear ranges. This means it's perfectly manageable even in city driving.

Of course, if you want to enjoy the Ferrari sound, just push the lower gears. The F1 dual-clutch gearbox makes that possible, with first-class responsiveness. Incidentally, this sound is created by a secondary intake system on the intake side and by equalizing the tube lengths of the exhaust manifold, which bundles six cylinders into one. Their dedication to these details is considerable.



While there's much to say about its driving dynamics, the most striking aspect is how light the car feels. Given its more substantial styling compared to V8 Ferraris, one might not expect this, but it's truly beyond imagination. This agility is a continuous source of surprise the more you drive it. Personally, I felt this tendency strengthening from the 599, and this car far surpasses it. In fact, upon checking, the F12berlinetta is 50kg lighter than the 599.

During this test drive, while I experienced many things, the most notable was the attention it garnered. For the photoshoot, I drove near Narita Airport, and whether on the highway or in the city, gazes were intense. However, it truly suits areas like Roppongi. Being the home turf of Ferrari Japan, it fits in surprisingly well...

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Body Dimensions | Length 4,618 x Width 1,942 x Height 1,273 mm
Wheelbase | 2,720 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,665 mm / 1,618 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,525 kg*
Engine Type | 65-degree V12
Total Displacement | 6,262 cc
Bore x Stroke | 94 x 75.2 mm
Compression Ratio | 13.5
Max Output | 545 kW (740 ps) / 8,250 rpm
Max Torque | 690 Nm (approx. 70.4 kgm) / 6,000 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (F1 Dual Clutch)
Suspension | Magnetorheological Fluid-Damped Control System (SCM-E)
Brakes | Carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3)
Tires Front/Rear | 255/35ZR 20 / 315/35ZR 20
Wheels Front/Rear | 9.5J x 20 / 11.5J x 20
Top Speed | Over 340 km/h
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 3.1 seconds
Fuel Consumption | 15 L/100 km (approx. 6.6 km/L)
CO2 Emissions** | 350 g/km
Price | 37.3 million yen

*With optional lightweight package
**With HELE system


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