The Ferrari 812 Superfast is the modern front-engined V12 Ferrari taken to an extreme point: naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive, intensely fast, and still usable enough to be treated as a grand tourer rather than a track-only machine. It replaced the F12berlinetta and carried Ferrari’s classic long-hood, short-deck V12 formula into an era increasingly shaped by turbocharging, hybrid systems, software control, and emissions pressure.
For this guide, the focus is the Ferrari 812 Superfast coupe with the F152M platform and F140 GA 6.5-liter V12, while also explaining the closely related 812 GTS and limited 812 Competizione models where they matter for identification, value, and ownership decisions.
Quick Take
The 812 Superfast’s strongest appeal is its 789 hp naturally aspirated V12: a high-revving, front-mid-mounted engine with the sound, throttle response, and drama many buyers now see as increasingly rare. Its identity is tied to Ferrari’s long line of two-seat V12 berlinettas, but it is also a very modern car, with rear-wheel steering, electronic power steering, active aerodynamics, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a fast dual-clutch gearbox. The caution is that it is not a low-risk used performance car: inspection quality, service history, tire and brake condition, battery care, recall completion, and factory originality all matter heavily. For buyers, the best cars are not always the lowest-priced cars; they are the ones with clear documentation, desirable specification, known ownership, and evidence of careful specialist maintenance.
Table of Contents
- Model History and Ferrari V12 Significance
- F140 GA V12, Chassis, and Specifications
- Production, Variants, and Factory Options
- Design, Engineering, and Special Features
- Driving Experience and Real-World Performance
- Reliability, Maintenance, and Ownership Risks
- Market Value and Specialist Buying Guide
Model History and Ferrari V12 Significance
The 812 Superfast matters because it represents one of Ferrari’s clearest modern expressions of the classic front-engined V12 berlinetta. It arrived in 2017 as the successor to the F12berlinetta, but it was more than a power increase; it brought a larger naturally aspirated V12, faster chassis electronics, rear-wheel steering, and Ferrari’s first use of electric power steering on a production car.
The name is unusually direct. “812” points to 800 metric horsepower and 12 cylinders, while “Superfast” revives a historic Ferrari name used on earlier high-performance grand tourers. The car was launched during Ferrari’s 70th anniversary period, which gave it more symbolic weight than a normal model replacement. It was not a limited edition in the way the 812 Competizione later became, but it still occupies a special place because large-displacement, naturally aspirated V12 grand tourers are becoming harder to justify under modern emissions and noise rules.
The 812 sits in a lineage that includes cars such as the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 550 Maranello, 575M Maranello, 599 GTB Fiorano, and F12berlinetta. Each of those cars reflects its era’s idea of the ultimate front-engined Ferrari. The 812 does the same, but with far more electronic control and far less tolerance for poor maintenance.
Its place in Ferrari history is also tied to transition. The car kept the V12 engine free of turbochargers and hybrid assistance, while many other high-performance cars were moving toward forced induction, electrification, or both. Ferrari later introduced the 12Cilindri as the successor, but the 812 Superfast remains important because it captures the end phase of the F12-based architecture and the last period when Ferrari could offer a series-production, front-engined V12 coupe with this level of mechanical theatre.
Today, enthusiasts care about the 812 for its sound, speed, and purity of power delivery. Collectors and buyers care about it for slightly different reasons: naturally aspirated V12 status, specification sensitivity, limited availability of desirable colors and Tailor Made cars, service documentation, and the long-term appeal of a non-hybrid flagship Ferrari.
F140 GA V12, Chassis, and Specifications
The heart of the 812 Superfast is the F140 GA, a 6,496 cc naturally aspirated 65-degree V12. It produces 800 cv, commonly quoted as 789 hp, and delivers its strongest character high in the rev range rather than through turbocharged low-rpm torque.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | F140 GA 65-degree naturally aspirated V12 |
| Displacement | 6,496 cc / 6.5 liters |
| Maximum output | 800 cv / 789 hp at 8,500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 718 Nm / 530 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm |
| Redline character | High-revving naturally aspirated delivery, with peak power near the top of the range |
| Transmission | 7-speed F1 dual-clutch automatic transaxle |
| Drivetrain | Front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Steering | Electric power steering with Ferrari dynamic control systems |
| Rear-wheel steering | Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system |
The engine is mounted behind the front axle line, making the car a front-mid-engine layout rather than a simple front-engine car. The gearbox sits at the rear as part of the transaxle arrangement, helping the 812 achieve a rear-biased weight distribution. This layout is central to how the car feels: the hood is long, the engine dominates the experience, but the mass is managed better than the shape might suggest.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,657 mm |
| Width | 1,971 mm |
| Height | 1,276 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm |
| Dry weight | About 1,525 kg, depending on specification |
| Weight distribution | Approximately 47% front / 53% rear |
| Front tires | 275/35 ZR20 |
| Rear tires | 315/35 ZR20 |
| 0–100 km/h | 2.9 seconds |
| 0–200 km/h | 7.9 seconds |
| Top speed | 340 km/h / 211 mph |
The 812 Superfast uses carbon-ceramic brakes as expected for a modern flagship Ferrari. The brakes are extremely capable, but their condition is an important inspection point because replacement can be expensive. The same applies to tires: the car’s performance depends heavily on correct high-performance tires in fresh condition, not just legal tread depth.
Compared with the F12berlinetta, the 812 has more displacement, more power, quicker responses, and more advanced control systems. It is not simply an F12 with a bigger number. The electronics, steering, rear-wheel steering, aero management, and gearbox calibration all shape the way the car deploys its V12 power.
Production, Variants, and Factory Options
The 812 Superfast coupe is the core model, but the F152M family also includes the 812 GTS and the limited-production 812 Competizione and Competizione A. Buyers should understand these differences because values, desirability, driving character, and collectability vary sharply.
812 Superfast coupe
The coupe is the purest expression of the standard 812 formula: fixed roof, front-mid V12, rear-wheel drive, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, active aero, rear-wheel steering, and a highly option-sensitive luxury cabin. It is the car most people mean when they refer to the 812 Superfast.
Key identifiers include the long hood, fastback roofline, four round taillights, aggressive side vents, and a cabin set far back in the body. The coupe is generally lighter and structurally simpler than the GTS, and it is often preferred by buyers who want the most focused standard 812.
812 GTS
The 812 GTS is the open-top sibling. It uses the same basic 6.5-liter V12 output as the Superfast but adds a retractable hardtop and the structural changes needed for open-air use. It is not a lightweight special, but it is highly desirable because front-engined V12 Ferrari convertibles have a long collector following.
Values for GTS examples often sit above equivalent Superfast coupes, especially when mileage is low and colors are strong. Buyers should inspect roof operation, seals, panel alignment, water ingress evidence, and service documentation carefully.
812 Competizione and Competizione A
The 812 Competizione is a much more focused limited model, with a more powerful version of the 6.5-liter V12, more aggressive aerodynamics, reduced weight, a higher-revving character, and a sharper track-oriented brief. The Competizione A is the open-top limited version.
These cars are not simply option packages. They are separate special-series models with different market behavior. Their values are driven by allocation history, rarity, specification, delivery mileage, paint and interior choices, and whether the car remains in factory-correct condition.
Factory options and specification sensitivity
On a Ferrari like the 812, factory specification can change both market value and buyer interest. Some options are mainly aesthetic, while others are highly desirable for usability.
Commonly important options and features include:
- Front suspension lift, especially for cars used in cities or areas with steep driveways
- Carbon-fiber driver zone with LED shift lights
- Carbon-fiber exterior details, including front spoiler, side sill, rear diffuser, and underdoor trim
- Daytona-style seats, racing seats, or comfort seats depending on buyer preference
- Passenger display
- Premium audio
- Forged wheels or special wheel finishes
- Scuderia Ferrari shields
- Apple CarPlay where fitted
- Special paint, historic colors, two-tone finishes, and Tailor Made details
For collectors, originality matters. A factory-painted unusual color is very different from a wrapped car. Factory carbon is different from aftermarket carbon. A Ferrari Tailor Made car with documentation can be significantly more interesting than a visually similar car modified later.
Documentation should include service invoices, warranty records, recall completion, original books, spare keys, battery tender, tools, window sticker or build sheet where available, and any Ferrari dealer or Ferrari Approved paperwork.
Design, Engineering, and Special Features
The 812 Superfast looks dramatic because its design is shaped by the needs of a very powerful front-mid-mounted V12. The long hood, rear-set cabin, deep side sculpting, cooling openings, and active rear aerodynamics are not just decoration; they help the car manage heat, airflow, stability, and downforce.
The design came from Ferrari’s in-house styling direction rather than an outside coachbuilder. Visually, it keeps the classic Ferrari V12 proportions but makes them sharper and more technical than the F12. The headlights are slim, the front intake area is wide, and the rear returns to the visual drama of four circular taillights.
A key part of the 812’s engineering is airflow management. The car uses ducts, vents, and underbody work to balance cooling and aerodynamic performance. At the rear, active flaps in the diffuser help manage drag and downforce depending on speed and driving conditions. This is one reason the car can feel stable at very high speed despite being front-engined and rear-wheel drive.
The cockpit is also part of the car’s identity. It keeps Ferrari’s driver-focused layout, with major controls on or near the steering wheel. The manettino switch changes the vehicle’s dynamic modes, altering the behavior of stability control, traction management, damping, and gearbox response. The passenger display, when fitted, gives the passenger a view of speed, revs, and other information, turning the experience into something more shared.
The F140 GA engine defines the sensory character. Turbocharged cars can produce huge torque, but the 812’s appeal is the way it builds power and sound as revs rise. Peak torque arrives high, and peak power arrives higher still. That means the car rewards drivers who enjoy throttle progression, gear selection, and engine speed rather than simply leaning on low-rpm boost.
Another major feature is rear-wheel steering. Ferrari’s Virtual Short Wheelbase system helps the car feel more agile than its size suggests. At lower speeds, it helps the car rotate and respond quickly. At higher speeds, it supports stability. This system is part of why the 812 can feel alert rather than heavy, even though it is a large, powerful grand tourer.
Electric power steering was controversial because Ferrari had long been associated with hydraulic steering feel. In the 812, the system is tuned for speed, precision, and integration with the car’s electronic controls. Some drivers prefer the older hydraulic feel of previous Ferraris, but the 812’s steering is central to how its stability and side-slip systems work.
Driving Experience and Real-World Performance
The 812 Superfast feels less like a relaxed GT with a big engine and more like a supercar wearing long-distance proportions. Its defining trait is the tension between usability and intensity: it can cover distance comfortably, but a full-throttle run feels wild, loud, and unusually immediate for such a large front-engined car.
Acceleration is brutal, but the delivery is different from a turbocharged supercar. The 812 does not simply surge from low rpm and flatten out. It pulls hard, then harder, and becomes more dramatic as it climbs toward the upper rev range. The throttle response is sharp because there is no turbocharger delay, and the sound becomes a major part of the performance.
The dual-clutch gearbox shifts extremely quickly. In relaxed driving, it can be smooth enough for city use, but in more aggressive modes it becomes crisp and forceful. The shift lights on the steering wheel, when fitted, suit the car well because the engine encourages high-rpm driving.
Steering response is fast, and the rear-wheel steering helps the car feel smaller than it is. That does not mean it is a small car. The width is real, and on narrow roads a driver must be aware of placement. But the chassis gives the impression of a car that wants to turn and rotate, not simply charge down straight roads.
Ride quality depends heavily on tire condition, wheel choice, road surface, and damper mode. The 812 is more usable than its power figure suggests, especially when the bumpy-road damper setting is used. It is still a low, wide Ferrari on large wheels, so it will never feel like a soft luxury coupe, but it can cover long distances without punishing the driver.
Braking performance is immense when the carbon-ceramic system is in good condition and up to temperature. On the road, the brakes can feel very strong and confidence-inspiring. On track, the car’s weight, speed, and tire load mean consumables can become expensive quickly. A single track day in an 812 can create more wear than many casual owners expect.
Visibility is better than in many mid-engined supercars because of the front-engined layout, but the long hood, low seating position, and rear-quarter shape still require care. Parking sensors, cameras, and front lift are valuable for daily usability.
The 812 can be driven gently, but it is never anonymous. The engine dominates cold starts, tunnels, overtakes, and even casual acceleration. For many owners, that is the whole point. For buyers expecting a quiet luxury GT, the 812 may feel too intense.
Reliability, Maintenance, and Ownership Risks
The 812 Superfast is generally viewed as a robust modern Ferrari when maintained correctly, but ownership risk is tied to condition, documentation, electronics, wear items, and prior use. The most dangerous assumption is that low mileage automatically means low risk.
Modern Ferraris dislike neglect. A car that has sat unused with an aging battery, old tires, missed annual services, and deferred recall work can be less attractive than a higher-mileage car serviced correctly every year.
Known ownership and inspection areas
Important inspection points include:
- Complete annual service history through a Ferrari dealer or respected Ferrari specialist
- Recall completion, especially fuel vapor separator and rear-window bonding campaigns where applicable
- Carbon-ceramic brake disc condition and pad life
- Tire age, brand, matching fitment, and alignment wear
- Battery health and evidence that the car was kept on a tender
- Front lift operation, if fitted
- Suspension damper behavior and warning lights
- Gearbox behavior during low-speed maneuvering and hard shifts
- Oil leaks, coolant seepage, and undertray evidence of fluid residue
- Exhaust valve function and signs of aftermarket exhaust changes
- Accident repair, paintwork, underbody damage, and wheel damage
- Interior leather shrinkage, sticky trim, worn switchgear, and carbon-fiber damage
The F140 V12 is the car’s jewel, and major engine problems are not something to approach casually. A pre-purchase inspection should include diagnostic scans, service history review, fluid condition checks, evidence of correct campaigns, and road testing by someone familiar with the model.
The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is far more user-friendly than older single-clutch automated manuals, and it does not have the same routine clutch-wear profile as earlier F1 cars. Still, launch-control abuse, poor maintenance, overheating, or rough low-speed behavior should be taken seriously.
Service plans and warranty relevance
Ferrari’s seven-year genuine maintenance program is a major ownership factor on eligible cars. It can make early ownership less unpredictable, but it does not mean the car is cost-free. Tires, brake wear, damage, cosmetic repairs, battery replacement, optional warranty extensions, and non-scheduled repairs still matter.
For cars beyond the original maintenance period, buyer discipline becomes even more important. An 812 with continued Ferrari warranty coverage or Ferrari Approved status can command a premium because it reduces uncertainty. Independent specialist cars can also be excellent, but the paperwork must be clear and consistent.
Restoration and originality
The 812 is too new to be “restored” in the classic-car sense for most buyers, but repair quality already matters. Accident damage, poor paint blending, aftermarket carbon parts, non-original exhaust systems, wheel refinishing, and removed factory equipment can all affect value.
Originality is especially important for unusual specifications. A rare factory paint color, Tailor Made interior, or factory carbon package should be documented. For future collectability, buyers should preserve original parts, manuals, invoices, and accessories.
Market Value and Specialist Buying Guide
The 812 Superfast market is driven by specification, mileage, condition, originality, and documentation more than age alone. The car is modern enough to be usable, but special enough that buyers already treat the best examples with collector-level scrutiny.
As of the mid-2020s, the 812 Superfast sits below the rarer 812 Competizione and often below comparable 812 GTS examples, but above many ordinary used exotic cars because of its naturally aspirated V12 status. Low-mileage, high-option cars in special colors can command a clear premium. Higher-mileage cars, common colors, thin records, or cars with aftermarket changes usually need to be priced more carefully.
What drives value
The strongest value factors are:
- Desirable factory paint and interior combination
- Low but believable mileage, supported by service records
- Ferrari dealer or respected specialist service history
- Clean accident history and original paint where possible
- Factory carbon options and front lift
- Tailor Made or Atelier documentation
- Ferrari Approved certification or warranty coverage
- Complete accessories, manuals, keys, tender, and invoices
- Recall completion records
- No questionable aftermarket tuning or irreversible modifications
Color is especially important. Rosso Corsa is classic and liquid, but special blues, greys, greens, historic colors, and well-executed Tailor Made combinations can attract buyers who want something less common. Interior taste matters too. A bold interior can help or hurt depending on execution and market preference.
Cars to seek and cars to avoid
A strong 812 Superfast candidate has consistent annual maintenance, fresh tires, clean diagnostics, no accident history, completed campaigns, desirable options, and a specification that will be easy to resell. It should drive cleanly from cold, shift smoothly, track straight, brake without vibration, and show no warning lights.
Be cautious with cars that have:
- Missing service records
- Long storage gaps with old tires and weak battery history
- Unexplained paintwork
- Aftermarket ECU tuning
- Non-factory exhaust systems without original parts
- Heavy track use without corresponding maintenance
- Carbon-ceramic brake wear near replacement
- Incomplete recall records
- Low asking price without a clear reason
A cheap 812 can become expensive very quickly if brakes, tires, battery, paint correction, interior repairs, and overdue service are all needed at once.
Pre-purchase inspection priorities
A proper inspection should go beyond a normal used-car check. The buyer or inspector should confirm:
- VIN, specification, and factory option record.
- Service dates, mileage progression, and invoice detail.
- Open or completed recall campaigns.
- Diagnostic scan results and stored faults.
- Brake disc condition, pad life, and tire dates.
- Lift system, suspension, steering, and gearbox operation.
- Paint thickness and signs of accident repair.
- Underbody condition, front splitter damage, and wheel damage.
- Interior wear compared with mileage.
- Presence of books, tools, keys, charger, and original parts.
The 812 Superfast is likely to remain collectible because it combines Ferrari’s flagship V12 formula with modern usability and an engine character that is becoming rare. The safest purchase is not the car with the loudest listing description. It is the car with the clearest history, the right options, the best condition, and the fewest unanswered questions.
References
- 812 Superfast: Shift to the 12th Dimension 2017 (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Warranties And Official Ferrari Maintenance 2026 (Manufacturer Maintenance)
- Gas Mileage of 2021 Ferrari Vehicles 2021 (Official Fuel Economy Data)
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 19V-090 2019 (Recall Database)
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-614 2020 (Recall Database)
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, repair advice, or a Ferrari-specific pre-purchase inspection. Specifications, torque values, service intervals, recall status, software updates, and procedures can vary by VIN, market, model year, equipment, and prior service history. Always verify details against official Ferrari service documentation and a qualified Ferrari dealer or specialist.
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