THE V12 SPIDER RETURNS WITH THE NEW FERRARI 812 GTS, THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION CONVERTIBLE ON THE MARKET
50 years after from the debut of the last spider in the Ferrari range to sport a front-mounted V12, the 812 GTS hails a triumphant return for a model type that has played a pivotal role in the marque’s history since its foundation. Like its historic predecessors, the 812 GTS sets a new benchmark in terms of performance and exclusivity. Sporting Ferrari’s majestic 800 cv V12, it is not merely the most powerful production spider on the market, but also the most versatile, thanks to its retractable hard top.
ENGINE
The 812 GTS is the spider version of the 812 Superfast, from which it takes both its specifications and performance, most notably the power unit that, thanks to its ability to unleash a massive 800 cv at 8500 rpm, is the most powerful engine in its class. 718 Nm of torque guarantees impressive acceleration while the heady 8900 rpm rev limit means that sporty driving is undiminished.
The shape of the torque curve reveals that torque distribution was not sacrificed to boost power. A significant 80 percent of maximum torque is available at just 3500 rpm, improving both flexibility and pick-up at lower revs. The shape of the power curve (which rises constantly all the way to the maximum revs of 8500 rpm) and the rapidity with which engine speed increases (thanks to low inertia) give occupants the feeling of boundless power and acceleration.
The dual-clutch transmission’s gear-shift strategies enhance the car’s sportiness. When the Manettino is in sportier settings, both up and down shift times have been significantly cut and the transition time has been optimised to enhance the driver experience. Exhaust-wise, prevalence was given to combustion order harmonics by modifying the geometry of the centre extension pipes. The result is a fullbodied V12 sound in the cabin, particularly appreciable when the top is down.
DESIGN
The 812 GTS echoes the formal language and proportions of Ferrari’s front-engine V12 without altering either its exterior dimensions or interior space and comfort. The draped design of the flanks visually shortens the tail and is characterised by sharply slanted crease lines and impressively muscular wheel arches that imbue it with the power and aggression warranted by its imposing V12. The entire rear of the car – roof, tonneau cover, and luggage compartment – has been redesigned. The buttresses were designed to visually embody a sense of forward thrust and lend the side windows a signature look that would set the spider apart from the berlinetta.
AERODYNAMICS
Thanks to meticulous resculpting of the tonneau cover surfaces and, most importantly, the integration of a triplane wing into the rear diffuser to create efficient suction (and thus downforce) from the underbody, the aerodynamicists were able to compensate for the downforce lost by the removal of the 812 Superfast’s rear wheel arch by-pass duct.
Meticulously detailed work went into guaranteeing an excellent standard of comfort on-board with the top down. There was huge focus on minimising both turbulence inside the cabin and aerodynamic noise to ensure occupants can converse undisturbed – even at high speeds.
VEHICLE DYNAMICS
The 812 GTS is equipped with all of the 812 Superfast’s new generation components and control systems and, like it, delivers impressive handling. It sports Electric Power Steering (EPS) to fully exploit the potential of the car in terms of performance by integrating it with all of the electronic vehicle dynamics controls, including Version 5.0 of Ferrari’s patented SSC. The following driver-assistance features are also featured to enhance performance:
- Ferrari Peak Performance (FPP): when cornering, the steering wheel torque will provide the driver with an indication that the car is getting closer to its limit of grip, helping the control of that dynamic state.
- Ferrari Power Oversteer (FPO): in the case of oversteer, most frequently induced while powering out of corners, the steering wheel torque will give the driver feedback to give steering wheel inputs that are coherent with realigning the car correctly.
- Optimised calibration of the car’s magnetorheological dampers means its elastic set-up is the same as the berlinetta version, despite the 75kg increase in weight
caused by strengthening work on the chassis. - Consequently, its overall performance levels are very close to those of the berlinetta, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in under three seconds and 0-200 km/h in just 8.3 seconds. The Ferrari 812 GTS’s maximum speed is the same as the berlinetta’s: 340 km/h.
7 YEARS MAINTENANCE
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended sevenyear maintenance programme offered with the 812 GTS. Available across the entire Ferrari range, it covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life.
For more information call Al-Fardan Sports Motors Ferrari on 4420 8788.