Super Power

MESMERISING V12 PACE, TACTILE HANDLING AND AN UNFORGETTABLE NOISE THE 588KW FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST IS UTTERLY SPELLBINDING.

- Scott Newman

FERRARI IS not usually short of inspiration when it comes to naming new models. It’s used places (Modena, California), people (Dino, Enzo), engine displacement (355, 488 et al) or even everyday nouns that sound impossibly exotic in Italian – ‘Redhead’ isn’t quite as evocative as ‘Testarossa’.

When it comes to its latest V12 Grand Tourer, it seems Maranello either ran out of ideas or has adopted a new policy of stating the obvious – hence the 812 Superfast. Jokes aside, this being Ferrari, there is of course a historical precedent. ‘Superfast’ first appeared on a 410 Superamerica, built for the 1956 Paris Auto Show. A further three styling concepts were shown based on a 400 Superamerica before the badge reached production on the 1964 Ferrari 500. A two-door GT powered by a 294kW 5.0-litre V12, the 500 Superfast was claimed to hit 280km/h – only 36 were produced.

In layman’s terms, the 812 is a mid-life update of the F12. In reality, it’s a complete re-engineering, incorporating lessons learned from the limited edition F12tdf. The result is spectacular, catapulting the 812 up MOTOR’s ‘Best Cars’ list.

How far up is unclear and also largely irrelevant; we’re living in a golden era for fast cars. The oil may be running out, but we’re certainly making effective use of what’s left.

The Superfast begins to burrow its way into your affections before it’s moved a metre. There arguably hasn’t been a truly beautiful Ferrari GT since the 550 Maranello; even that had an unsightly nostril in its bonnet, which gives the nod to the 456 and that’s 25 years old. The F12 was and is incredibly striking with massive presence, but aerodynamics dictated sharp edges and creases everywhere, like the bodywork had eroded from being left in the wind tunnel too long.