By: Someone Who’d Sell a Kidney, Both Kidneys, and Maybe the Neighbour’s Scooter to Own One
A Legacy Older Than Your Grandfather’s Radio
Ferrari’s relationship with the V12 engine goes back to a time when phones had dials, and “wireless” meant a transistor. The story began in 1940 with the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815. Fast-forward 85 years and 16 generations later — yes, 16! — we arrive at this glimmering silver deity: the 2025 Ferrari 12 Cilindri (Type F167).
In Italian, you’d whisper its name like a love poem — “Dodici Cilindri” — preferably while wearing a silk scarf and espresso in hand. And in India, you’d just gulp when someone mentions the ₹7.58 crore ex-showroom price. There’s only one model on offer: the Berlinetta, because when you’re perfect, you don’t need variants.
🧠 Designed by a Man Who Sketches Legends Before Breakfast
The 12 Cilindri is penned by none other than Flavio Manzoni, the same chap responsible for LaFerrari, the 488, Daytona SP3, Roma, and a VW Up! for balance. This grand tourer takes inspiration from the 1968 Ferrari Daytona but with 2025 Italian drama.
The front wears a mouth-shaped grille, flanked by seven cooling openings that make the bumper look like it’s permanently mid-opera. The wraparound LED headlamps have blade-like DRLs that could slice bread, and a black bonnet band that you cannot repaint, because Ferrari says so. Think of it as the automotive equivalent of a birthmark from the gods.
The chassis is all-aluminium, the front spoiler is carbon fibre, the roof is glossy carbon, and even the wing mirrors are made of carbon fibre and have their own camera system. If carbon fibre could pay taxes, Italy’s GDP would triple.
📏 Proportions that Whisper Speed (and Shout “Look at Me!”)
The 12 Cilindri is a svelte 4.7 m long, 2.2 m wide, and 1.3 m tall, with a 1560 kg dry weight. Weight distribution? 48.4% front, 51.6% rear — basically the automotive equivalent of a gymnast doing a perfect handstand.
It rides on 21-inch matte black alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 optional, if you like surprises). Carbon-ceramic brakes with coloured calipers, titanium wheel bolts — because steel is so mainstream.
Colour options? A mind-boggling 29 shades. But Ferrari will also paint it in your great aunt’s saree pattern if you ask nicely (and pay handsomely). The one we’re reviewing here is in Argento Nürburgring Silver — classy, understated, and just perfect for making BMW owners cry quietly.
🏁 Aerodynamics: More Science than a Physics Lab
Those elegant rear active flaps tilt up to 10 degrees, generating up to 50 kg of downforce at high speed. The underbody is sculpted to suck it to the road like a limpet on an Italian rock. It’s won the 2025 Compasso d’Oro industrial design award, which is basically the Oscars for objects that make you drool.
⚙️ The Beating Heart: A 6.5-Litre Naturally-Aspirated Symphony
Ah, the engine. Say it with me slowly: 6,596 cc V12, 819 hp, 678 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, and a 340 km/h top speed. This is Ferrari’s legendary F140 HD motor, also seen in the Purosangue and Daytona SP3, with a few tweaks to make angels weep.
It’s got titanium con rods (40% lighter than steel), a lightened crankshaft, finger-follower valvetrain borrowed from F1, DLC coating for mechanical efficiency, and a 6-in-1 equal-length manifold for that opera at 9,000 rpm sound.
Fuel economy? 6 kmpl. But if you’re asking that question, this car isn’t for you.
🧠 Tech Under the Suit
- Four-wheel independent steering (4WS): the car turns like a ballerina doing a pirouette.
- Virtual Short Wheelbase 3.0 with 6D sensor: shrinks the car virtually for sharper cornering.
- Magnetorheological suspension: adjusts damping faster than your mother changes her opinion mid-argument.
- Ferrari Driving Enhancer (FDE): brakes individual wheels mid-corner to keep things composed.
- Brake-by-wire: no mechanical linkages, just electrons and Italian bravado.
And yes, Ferrari even used 100% recycled secondary alloy for part of the gearbox subframe. Imagine saving the planet… at 340 km/h.
🛋️ Interior: Luxury Meets F1 Pit Wall
Step inside and you’re greeted by a dual-cockpit layout inspired by the Roma and Purosangue. It’s minimalist, futuristic, and gloriously Italian.
- 15.6-inch instrument cluster, no analog dials because it’s 2025 and nostalgia is overrated.
- 10.25-inch infotainment + optional 8.8-inch passenger display: so your co-driver can yell “slow down!” in HD.
- Carbon fibre steering wheel with LED shift lights, because subtlety is for Audis.
- Wireless charging, dual-zone AC with air quality sensor, heated steering, and enough drive modes to confuse NASA.
Seats? Carbon fibre racing seats, with options for full electric adjustment, ventilation, and massage. Upholstery? Choose from 16 leather colours, Alcantara made from 68% recycled polyester, and customizable everything — dashboard, stitching, seat stripes, carpets, seatbelts, headliner, possibly your mood.
Audio? 15-speaker, 1600 W Burmester system. Perfect for drowning out the sound of regret from the Prius next to you.
🧰 Practicality, Because GT
There’s 270 litres of boot space, enough for two weekend bags or a small pug with attitude. A front-hinged bonnet (because drama), anti stone-chip film, 7-year maintenance program, and 20,000 km service intervals because even Italian stallions need regular spa days.
Safety kit includes 6 airbags, Side Slip Control 8.0, ABS Evo, stability control, electronic differential, surround view cameras, lift system, fire extinguisher, run-flat tyres, immobilizer, perimeter alarm, and a stern warning from Ferrari not to crash it.
📱 MyFerrari Connect
You can check stats, lock/unlock, and maybe stalk your car’s location — all from your smartphone. Because nothing says “GT lifestyle” like tracking your ₹7.58 crore investment while sipping an Aperol Spritz.
📝 Verdict: The Last of the V12 Knights
The Ferrari 12 Cilindri isn’t just a car. It’s a rolling museum exhibit, a defiant ode to naturally aspirated V12s in a world filled with turbocharged hybrids and EV hums. It combines art, science, arrogance, heritage, and noise into one berlinetta that could probably make even Enzo shed a tear.
Sure, it costs more than a Gurgaon penthouse. Sure, fuel economy is measured in single digits. But when that V12 howls and those active flaps dance in the wind, you won’t care. You’ll just grin like a 10-year-old who’s found the cheat codes to life.
🏁 Final Rating
- Performance: 10/10 (Naturally aspirated thunder)
- Design: 10/10 (Flavio Manzoni’s pen should be insured)
- Practicality: 7/10 (Boot fits a pug, not a family)
- Drama: 12/10 (Cilindri. Enough said.)
- Overall: A resounding “Mamma Mia!”
