For the modern automaker, building a fast car — even an absurdly fast car — is rarely the end of the story. Behold the Ferrari F12 TdF, a muscled-up, hunkered-down evolution of the Italian automaker’s already monstrous twelve-cylinder F12 grand-tourer. This special edition takes its name from the long-defunct Tour de France endurance motor race, a contest that Ferrari dominated during the 1950s and ’60s, and it arives to fill the gap left by the departed 599 GTO. And as its appearance makes abundantly clear, it merges track-readiness and street-legality into one decidedly angry machine.
Of course, power is up; the F12’s 6.3-litre V12 hops from an ample 730 horsepower to a more-than-ample 769hp. The goose comes from some racecar-engine bits, including variable geometry intake trumpets, and the car’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission — already lightning-quick — has been upgraded to match; upshifts and downshifts happen 30% and 40% faster, respectively.
Weight is down, as well. Ferrari’s engineers picked apart the none-to-portly F12 and managed to excise close to 250lbs, bringing curb weight down to a very svelte 3,351lbs.
Outside, an array of aerodynamic enhancements — including a huge front splitter, a longer and taller rear spoiler and ‘Aerobridge’ pieces behind the front wheels — nearly doubles downforce at 124mph. Steering is tightened with the fitment of 8% wider front tires and a clever rear-wheel-steering setup.
Ferrari claims the car will bolt from zero to 62mph in 2.9 seconds and will require just 1.3 seconds more to crack off a lap around the company’s Fiorani test track than the 949-horsepower LaFerrari. Top speed is something beyond 211mph.
Naturally, exclusivity is part of the deal. Ferrari plans to build a scant 799 examples of the F12 TdF. Pricing is unannounced, but you can expect an easy 40% premium over the standard F12, which in the US starts at about $320,000. Provided you’re on the list, that is.
You are on the list, aren’t you?