Ferrari is in the final stages of developing its long-awaited successor to the 812 Superfast, due in 2024 and set to be powered by an 800bhp-plus V12.
Spotted on numerous occasions testing in Italy initially dressed as a Roma but now wearing production-spec bodywork - Ferrari's new grand tourer notably features a significantly extended bonnet, strongly hinting at the presence of the firm's largest engine. The absence of high-voltage warning stickers or a visible charging port also suggests it will continue to be unassisted by electrification - as it is in the outgoing 812.
The Italian firm has long been vocal about keeping its 12-cylinder engine alive for its flagship cars, deploying it most recently in the Daytona SP3 supercar and Purosangue SUV, even as it ramps up its electrification initiative with the 296 and SF90 hybrids, and its first pure EV, due in 2025.
Speaking to Autocar previously, Ferrari head of design Flavio Manzoni said:
"I personally believe we have to fight for this engine. From a technology point of view, it's not the most efficient.
A V8 turbo could make it better in terms of performance. But from an emotional point of view, it's the best you can have."
The firm has yet to officially acknowledge these prototypes, but a source at the company recently hinted to Autocar that it will be launched in 2024: "If you look at the lifetime of the cars gone previously, that will give you a good idea to speculate when we will deliver a new car."
Ferrari launched the 812 in 2017, with the F12 arriving five years before and the 599 six years before that, suggesting the next installment in the front-engined V12 GT lineage is due an imminent unveiling.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
TRUMP WIN SPARKS FEAT OF HIKED TARIFFS IN US
Presidentzelect Trump has talked of imposing punitive tariffs on cars made outside the US
DEALER FINANCE UNDER FIRE
Hidden commission faces axe as courts clamp down on secret’ revenue
NEW CAUTION FOR SUZUKI AND ITS ELECTRIC FUTURE
Company president voices concern in wake of EV sales slowdown, casting doubt over upcoming launches
NEXT-GEN CLA IN RECORDBREAKING 24-HOUR EV RUN
Merc saloon racks up 2309.6 miles at an estimated 5.2 miles per kWh
BENTLEY BLITZ TO START WITH URBAN EV CROSSOVER
Run of 10 new models in 10 years will begin with a bold EV in 2026
The venomous nature of the Cobra
Last week, Matt Prior drove a totally new kind of AC Cobra. This is a car with one of the strongest allures of all - but also an incredibly complex and controversial history.
SKODA KAMIQ
A long getting-to-know-you trip to Spain reveals all
THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH
Outgoing baby Jag is plush, practical and now eminently affordable