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The 812 GTS has a delicate roof mechanism, weighs more than the Superfast but the Italians reworked the aerodynamics and the body design provide the best open-top experience one can get on the road.
The open air V12 cars are few in the world, with the Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster being the easy choice, now Lambos fellow Italian car maker Ferrari has decided that they want a piece of the cake. Their offering is the new 812 GTS, a convertible version of the already very fast “Superfast” Ferrari. The very long hood covers the massive 6.5L V12 purring inside, which is free of all kinds of turbocharging or electrical supplements, something the petrolheads call ‘Pure Power’- naturally aspirated power. The engine as in the Superfast makes 789hp making it the most powerful convertible on regular production.
The Ferrari is fast, accelerating to a hundred in less than 3 seconds, with a top speed of 340kmh and with the open air whistling past over your head, this car is special. The car is special for another reason, it might be one of the last naturally aspirated V12 powered cars, with even Lamborghini introducing the Sian FKP 37, which uses a hybrid powertrain. The other reason is emission standards and the ecological impact of using these big engines. The GTS is slightly different from the Superfast, featuring a redesigned rear end, which they had to fit the folded roof in, while keeping the aerodynamics optimal and the handling on point.
The roof is made up of folding up metal in a similar design to the one in the F8 Spyder, there is a rear glass which acts as a windbreaker to make the car truly usable for open-top driving. The glass window can be retracted for a closed cabin or it can be kept up to let the full tune of the V12 flow inside the cabin. The roof can be folded up or down in 14 seconds while the car is moving up to a speed of 45kmh.
The V12 is already a legend, having served the 812 Superfast faithfully. Keeping its naturally aspirated form intact in the GTS, the engine is able to rev up to 9000rpm and give a max torque of 718Nm, performance figures that let this car feel as sporty and dynamic as the Superfast without resorting to any hybrid system. It is mated to the 7-Speed twin clutch gearbox which gives immediate gear changes
The Italian engineers have fitted the car with Ferrari Peak Performance which gives steering feedback to the driver as to how much more grip is possible, Ferrari Power Oversteer which will give the driver indication to turn the steering so as to counteract the oversteer. The front of the car even has a more optimised airflow system, necessary to counteract the turbulence created by the open top driving. Taken straight out of the LaFerrari Aperta, the windshield had two L-Shaped wind disruptors, fitted especially for the convertible. The rear has a new diffuser, with a triplane wing that compensates for the changes in aerodynamics and keeps the car planted on the tarmac.
The 812 GTS follows in the footsteps of the Ferrari 365 GTS4, which was launched in 1969 and has a long racing heritage which has named it the Daytona Spyder because of its victory there. More interestingly, the front mounted V12 convertible design has since then been used only four times in limited production, and the 812 GTS is the first one in half a century to have the Prancing Horse and a V12 with an open top for regular production.
While the GTS is 85 kilos heavier than the Superfast, and with the same power, the difference is not noticeable to seasoned drivers. On the inside the Ferrari does not miss out on any of the brands offerings, with the steering mounted controls and the driver aligned central console. The car can be customised into a variety of premium leather wrappings all around and even custom logos or motifs. The car was launched on the 29th of November at Select Cars Ferrari dealership in Delhi and is available for an ex-showroom price of INR 5.79 crore, which is the base price, Ferrari customers tend to customise their cars quite a lot.
Favourie Car: Nissan GT-R R35
Quote: What you do in life echoes in eternity- Russell Crowe, Maximus, Gladiator
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