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March 31, 2021
For those who wish to experience the allure of a precise 12-cylinder engine – A test drive of the Ferrari 812 GTS | Ferrari
Ferrari 812 GTS | The Ferrari 812 GTS
For those who wish to experience the allure of a precise 12-cylinder engine
Debuting in September 2019, the 812 GTS is the spider model of the Ferrari flagship, the 812 Superfast, which is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 naturally aspirated engine. We test-drove the Ferrari front-engine V12 spider, the first of its kind for a production car in half a century since the 365 GTS4.
Text by OGAWA Fumio | Photographs by KAWANO Atsuki
I’ve never driven such a smooth car
Ferrari unveiled the 812 GTS in Italy in September 2019. Driving this car makes one strongly feel that sports cars are akin to sports.
Wait, does that sound strange? People who are immersed in business on weekdays find release through sports on weekends, whether by the sea, in the mountains, or on the golf course. Driving a sports car similarly invigorates the spirit.
The 812 GTS, equipped with a 6496cc V12 engine, features an electrically retractable hardtop. Alongside the previously released coupe, the 812 Superfast, it represents Ferrari's flagship lineup. In a word, I’ve never driven such a smooth car. Its excellence shines through in every situation, to the point where I can state that with absolute certainty.
For those familiar with Ferrari, you will know that the brand essentially has two lines. One is the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive GT with a V12. The other is the mid-engine sports model with a V8.
Ferrari has continuously produced V12 spiders (low-slung open-top sports cars) since the 166 model in 1948, right up to the present day. The 812 GTS is positioned as a model faithful to this brand's origins.
On circuits, mid-engine cars, where the center of rotation is virtually the same as the driver's, naturally offer superior handling. However, brands like Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin also adhere to the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
Mid-engine layouts require the engine to be placed between the cabin and the rear axle, imposing spatial constraints. Consequently, they cannot accommodate very large engines.
There are, in fact, quite a few people in the world who wish to experience the allure of a precise 12-cylinder engine, with its instantaneous revving and immediately surging power. The Ferrari 812 series is designed for them.
The 12-cylinder engine, producing a maximum output of 588kW (800CV) at 8500rpm and a peak torque of 718Nm at 7800rpm, is a high-revving unit, quite close to a racing car for a super sports model.
I tried keeping the transmission in lower gears using the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to savor the higher rev range, but the car reached the legal speed limit in an instant in any gear, with the engine only reaching about 4000rpm. Even with minimal throttle input, it could lead the flow of traffic on the highway.
Conversely, from around 2000rpm, a light press of the accelerator is enough to initiate immediate acceleration. It's not violent; it accelerates instantly without feeling heavy, much like driving a lightweight sports car.
A promenade car suited for Nice and Monaco
It's also quite enjoyable on mountain roads. Thanks to the rear-wheel steering system, called the 'Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 System,' it maneuvers like a smaller car even through tight corners.
The 'Ferrari Peak Performance' system also alerts the driver as the car approaches its limits when cornering. I found myself wishing to truly push the car in situations where this system could be utilized.
The ride comfort was also remarkably good. The 812 GTS, which incorporates structural reinforcements such as a retractable hardtop for rollover protection, is about 120kg heavier than its coupe counterpart, the 812 Superfast.
Ferrari claims to have achieved comparable agility through electronic damper control. On the other hand, this added weight also seems to contribute to the comfortable ride. Despite the weight increase, the vehicle's curb weight is kept down to 1645kg. With a 0-100km/h acceleration time of exactly 3 seconds, the weight is clearly not a hindrance.
A round trip between Tokyo and Hakone is a piece of cake. A round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto in a single day would likely be effortless. Not tiring, but rather enjoyable. As mentioned earlier, it possesses all the qualities of an excellent GT, including intuitive handling and precise yet not overly sensitive steering.
The test vehicle was equipped with a JBL speaker system. With Apple CarPlay compatibility, the music quality was surprisingly good. Although the monitor screen is small and located on the instrument cluster in front of the driver, selecting songs via Siri makes it quite user-friendly.
The 812 GTS is also very popular as a promenade car in Europe and the US. It's stylish to drive with the top down in beach resorts like Nice, Monaco, Portofino, and Santa Monica. It's designed for easy entry and exit, even when wearing a tuxedo or a long dress for an evening party.
There is a high demand for open-top Ferraris. Nowadays, with gatherings restricted, it might be underutilized for just trips to the golf course. The true value of this ¥45.08 million car extends far beyond that.
