New Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider review: a sensational open-top GT

As the roads dry, we finally summon up the courage to press the pedal all the way to the floor and use all 819bhp. The engine response is staggering. The revs flare up to 9,500rpm as the next ratio hits home, with barely a slight let-up in shove. Explore those revs in subsequent gears on the road more than twice, and you’ll likely reach some quite naughty speeds. Ferrari states that 0-62mph is dispatched in 2.95 seconds, and 0-124mph takes 8.2 seconds. We wouldn’t dream of arguing with either number. Fortunately, the brakes are equally as incredible, both in their power and feedback.

Ironically for a model that is named after its engine configurations, the one aspect of the car that ever-so-slightly takes the shine of the experience is that V12 engine. Clearly a lot has been done to try to make the 12Cilindri sound as exciting as possible; resonators ahead of the throttle bodies pipe the engine note into the car, while Ferrari has optimised the intake and exhaust tuning to ensure the noise is as ‘emotional’ as possible. 

However, all of this, plus the engine developments covered earlier, are fitted in response to what’s going on further down the process. In a battle to comply with ever-tightening emissions regulations (particularly in American and Chinese markets), Ferrari has fitted catalytic converters which it says are the most advanced of their type. But they do take the edge off the noise.

Now don’t get us wrong, this car still sounds very special – it’s spine-tingling at 9,500rpm – but compared with the raw edge of its predecessor, things just appear a touch artificial at times. Given the exhaust filters are to blame, we’re sure there will be an aftermarket exhaust system (or several) coming to market that’ll sort that out in no time at all – then there will be almost nothing to fault.

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