Along with the F8 Spider, another new Ferrari that has dropped the top is the 812 Superfast. Here, it is called the 812 GTS, and it is the first V12 Spider in 50 years. The Ferrari V12 spider story features many iconic models and began in 1948 with the 166 MM, which won the two most prestigious endurance races in the world in 1949: the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The last in that lineage was the 1969 365 GTS4, also known as the Daytona Spider because of Ferrari’s victory in the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. The front-mounted V12 architecture has not been used in a Ferrari series-production spider since the 365 GTS4. That said, four special series limited editions have been launched: the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina in 2000, the Superamerica in 2005, the SA Aperta in 2010, and most recently, the F60 America of which just 10 were built to celebrate Ferrari’s 60th year in the American market in 2014.
As for the design, the rear section has been redesigned, obviously. A clean design has been given for the two buttresses and the tonneau cover. Another change is that the rear wheel arch has lost the 812 Superfast’s characteristic aerodynamic by-pass. However, the absence of this duct has been compensated by a redesigned rear diffuser which now has an additional flap.
Drag, on the other hand, was cut by using the air vents on top of the rear flank to efficiently channel excess pressure build-up out of the wheel well. As with the LaFerrari Aperta, two small L-shaped flaps on the upper corners of the windscreen generate a coherent concentrated vortex that creates outwash in the velocity field immediately above the rear screen, thereby avoiding excess pressure behind the occupants’ heads.
The 20-inch wheels have a model-specific design. Buyers have a choice of three versions: diamond-finish, liquid silver, and Grigio Scuro.
The retractable hard top (RHT) takes 14 seconds to open or close, and can be operated at speeds of up to 45 km/h (28 mph). There’s also an electric rear screen, which acts as a wind-stop. With the top up, it can be left open to let in the naturally-aspirated V12 soundtrack.
As for vehicle dynamics, the systems include Version 5.0 of Ferrari’s patented SSC, Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system (rear-wheel steering), Ferrari Peak Performance (FPP), and Ferrari Power Oversteer (FPO).
The car’s magnetorheological dampers have been tuned to be the same as the Berlinetta’s, despite the 75 kg (165.3 lbs) increase in weight due to strengthening work on the chassis.
The 6.5-litre (6,496 cc) V12 puts out the same 588 kW (800 metric hp) at 8,500 rpm and 718 Nm (529.5 lb-ft) of torque at 7,000 rpm. The engine revs up to 8,900 rpm. A 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends power to the rear wheels. The Spider is claimed to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3 seconds and the top speed is over 340 km/h (211 mph).
The car weighs 1,600 kg dry (3527.4 lbs), with optional equipment.
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