Ferrari 812

You get one very special petrol engine in this car, tuned purely for maximum performance.

6.5-Litre V12 Petrol

It is a naturally aspirated 12-cylinder monster whose best use case is open, empty highways, where you can safely let the revs build up to its 8900 rpm redline. In the city, the engine is also remarkably manageable, never feeling jerky or overly stressed at low speeds. When you press the throttle, the power delivery stays linear and predictable but becomes exceptionally aggressive at the top end.

Driving Modes & Performance Tech

Featuring the famous steering-mounted Manettino dial, the Ferrari 812 offers driving modes like Wet, Sport, Race, CT Off, and ESC Off. Sport is the default setting, while Race mode sharpens the gearbox and throttle. The electric power steering works well with the rear-wheel setup to make this long car feel nimble on the move.

Driving a car with this much power on public roads is always an event. The way it balances raw aggression with grand touring comfort is what turns heads in traffic.

City Driving

Inside the city, the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts smoothly in automatic mode, and the steering is exceptionally light, letting you park or squeeze through tight traffic conveniently. The main challenge here is the car's width and the long bonnet, which require careful manoeuvring. As for ride quality, the suspension is firm, making all jerks felt through deep potholes. There is a ‘Bumpy Road’ button on the steering wheel to negate some of that impact, though.

Highway Driving

Overtaking on the highways happens in a fraction of a second; you drop a gear and disappear. Stability at triple-digit speeds is absolute, thanks to advanced aerodynamics that suck the car to the road. The steering feedback is incredibly quick, meaning you only need small inputs to change lanes. The massive carbon-ceramic brakes offer immense stopping power and high confidence as well. The car also stays completely flat around corners, showing almost zero body roll.

The Ferrari 812 lineup has one fixed-roof version and another folding hard-top version.

812 Superfast

The Ferrari 812 Superfast is the core coupe model with a beautiful, sloping roofline and is slightly lighter. It’s for driving purists who want the classic front-engine Berlinetta shape and the best rigidity.

812 GTS

This one adds a retractable hardtop that opens in 14 seconds. The exhaust note is a bit different on the GTS, while the car is also heavier than its Superfast sibling. It was last recorded to be pricier, too.

The ARAI-certified numbers are quite low, and real-world driving will drain the massive fuel tank quickly if you drive aggressively. But supercar shoppers rarely ever care about frugal fuel efficiency.

Both the Ferrari 812 Superfast and the GTS stick to the brand’s classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer philosophy.

Front Profile

The bonnet is quite long, showing off LED headlamps that sweep back into the wings. The wide front grille feeds air to the massive engine, while clever active flaps and intakes manage drag and cooling.

Side Profile

From the side, the proportions are dramatic with a cabin that is pushed far back, right over the rear wheels. It sits very close to the ground,  while the large alloy wheels house massive brake callipers.

Rear Profile

The rear has a high tail with classic quad circular tail lamps, paying homage to older models. A massive lower diffuser and quad exhaust pipes complete the muscular look from this angle.

Both Ferrari 812 trims keep the cabin theme entirely driver-focused, using high-quality leather, aluminium, and carbon fibre.

Front Row

Since it is a two-seater, you only get the front row, and the dashboard hosts almost all the major controls, including the indicators and wipers. The sports seats offer excellent support to hold you in place during fast turns, though they can feel a bit firm on very long journeys. The driving position is low and sporty, making you feel connected to the chassis.

Boot Space, Storage & Practicality

For a supercar, the available boot space is highly practical. The Ferrari 812 Superfast offers 320 litres of volume, which is enough for two medium-sized suitcases. But pocket spaces inside the cabin are quite limited, and you also get a small centre console bin and tiny door pockets.

The cabin technology is functional but firmly secondary to the driving experience, since all infotainment functions are built into the instrument cluster right in front of the driver. You get two small 5-inch digital screens flanking a large, analogue rev counter. The interface can be controlled via knobs and buttons near the steering wheel. It supports Apple CarPlay, but no Android Auto.

The front passenger does get their own slim display strip above the glovebox, which shows speed, rpm, and gear position, adding to the fun. You get some other basic comfort features like automatic climate control and parking cameras.

Neither the Ferrari 812 Superfast nor the GTS has an official crash rating, but it’s something expected considering expensive supercars are rarely ever tested by such agencies. 

Active Safety

The active safety features are geared more towards performance management than preventing minor parking bumps. It gets excellent ABS, EBD, and a highly advanced traction control system that stops the rear wheels from spinning out of control. It also offers a reverse camera and parking sensors, but does not have Level 2 ADAS features like lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.

Passive Safety

Passive safety features include multiple airbags protecting the front occupants from front and side impacts. The build quality is exceptional, and the car feels incredibly solid. Standard three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners are included. Honestly, compared to its segment rivals, the Ferrari 812 feels just as safe, but is slightly less technologically assisted.

This Italian offering is a feature-rich, highly emotional performance car that competes at the top of the grand touring market. Its main rivals are the Bentley Continental GT Speed, Lamborghini Revuelto, and McLaren 750S.

Bentley Continental GT Speed

The Bentley offers better ride comfort, cabin luxury, and everyday usability, and a superior infotainment system. The Ferrari 812 wins clearly in raw driving excitement and handling sharpness.

Lamborghini Revuelto

While the Revuelto is a mid-engine supercar, it draws attention with its wild doors and sharp angles. The Ferrari 812 offers a more traditional, usable grand touring experience with a much larger boot.

McLaren 750S

The McLaren is lighter, faster around a tight race track, and uses a twin-turbo V8. But the Ferrari 812’s V12 provides a sound and throttle response that a turbocharged engine cannot replicate.

Choosing a car like this Italian masterpiece comes with extreme highs and very specific compromises.

If the budget allows, there is no doubt that the Ferrari 812 represents an absolute automotive triumph of Italian engineering. Its strengths come directly from its engine, its handling, and the way it makes you feel while on the move. The ideal buyer is someone who wants to experience the peak of non-hybrid V12 performance before emission laws change the industry forever.

But its weaknesses are also glaringly obvious. Its production has stopped, it is extremely expensive to run, and it is also difficult to use in heavy city traffic. Moreover, it lacks modern cabin technology. If you want a comfortable daily driver, a Bentley Continental is a better alternative. But if you want pure driving emotion, the Ferrari 812 is unmatched, remaining one of the last classic options in the market today.