Autocar had a go in the extreme Ferrari F12tdf and the topic of the video – “a beauty and a beast?” says a lot really. However, Matt Prior, Autocar presenter, was really mesmerized by its composure, its pose on the track and the fact that a driver has to put in an effort to show it some really hard corners. After all, the car has a V12 engine developing 770hp. That is so much that any time you sniff near the throttle, the car could spin out of control if you don’t find yourself exceptionally focused and dedicated to the drive. Rear wheel drive system may really improve the chances of getting the beast around the track faster and in one piece, however, the process of learning to use it properly is not just sit-in-and-go, but the driver has to work a lot to earn it.
The presenter made an analogy with the Ferrari 488 GTB which is exceptionally powerful, but docile, kind and almost easy to drive on the track in comparison with much more demanding animal the F12tdf is.
Still, we do not have a clue how would this car took on the Lamborghini Aventador SV which is its direct counterpart in every conceivable way. True, the two cars are totally different in terms of mechanics and everything, but both present the pinnacle of the supersport world with their naturally aspirated V12 units.
Unfortunately, this may be the last hurrah for the good ol’ V12, although Ferrari is saying that they will keep it at least for one more generation.
