Ferrari 12-Cylinder Spider Review: An Ode to the Joy of Driving
Jerry Perez
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With just one climb through the gears while pressing nearly all the way down on the accelerator, thoughts race through my mind calculating reasons it would make sense to spend $661,000 on the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider I’m currently in. The naturally aspirated, 6.5-liter V12 engine positioned between me and the front axle emits an exhilarating roar as the tachometer's needle approaches 9,500 rpm. The sound from the exhaust is reminiscent of a ’90s F1 car—much higher in pitch than the robust body style of the convertible might suggest.
This is a car built for driving. This is a car for the soul.
It’s not solely the performance of the 12Cilindri Spider that makes one contemplate bending the rules for a quick cash influx. Even while stationary, it captivates in ways that other supercars often fail to achieve when they’re in motion. Starting the engine and flooring the throttle causes the revs to rise so swiftly that you need to adjust your expectations—and how rapidly you move your foot to prevent them from lingering in the upper ranges longer than necessary. A 40% reduction in rotating mass, along with titanium connecting rods and new alloys in the V12’s crankshaft, allows for this level of responsiveness.
Yet, despite boasting 819 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 211 mph, along with extensive engine, chassis, and aerodynamic management software, the 12Cilindri Spider provides an analog and almost nostalgic driving experience when it matters most. Because, contrary to what some manufacturers might suggest, piloting a ridiculously fast computer isn’t particularly fulfilling.
Design
If you believe that Ferrari's chief designer Flavio Manzoni aimed to create something entirely unique within Maranello’s cherished front-engine V12 segment (technically mid-front), you'd be correct. Some may find it striking, while others may see it as too edgy. Personally, I think it strikes a balance between both perspectives. Nonetheless, it’s undeniable that despite its modern essence, the long, sculpted hood, floating cabin, and protruding flying buttresses pay homage to Mille Miglia legends like the 335 S.
Whether the power-folding top is up, safeguarding you from the elements, or neatly stowed between the rear seats and trunk, the sloped cabin stands out with its aggressive angles and fighter-jet cockpit aesthetic, particularly from afar. Up close, it appears and feels softer, likely due to its low positioning. That’s the visual illusion of the 12Cilindri Spider: depending on your viewpoint—whether close up, distant, front, back, or profile—it enchants with intricate details that, somehow, you might have missed previously, especially in my tester's luxurious Verde Toscana shade. Perhaps it’s the accent strip under the headlamp that extends beyond its housing, skipping over the tire, and continuing toward the door panel in satin aluminum. Or maybe it’s the active aero flaps that flush within the trunk lid’s corners, rising and falling independently as you navigate corners, or the retro dual headlights subtly integrated into the Tron-like rear light bar. The more you examine it, the more it draws you in.
Among the Ferraris I've driven, the cabin of the 12Cilindri Spider stands out as the most straightforward in design, ease of use, practicality, and comfort. It even surpasses the user-friendliness of the Purosangue’s, which I once traveled across Italy with my dad in, along with a trunk full of luggage, or the blazingly-fast 296. The horizontal layout essentially divides the dashboard into two sections: the upper section featuring the driver-focused controls in the gauge cluster and the passenger’s display, and the lower section showcasing a central 10.25-inch touchscreen. It's all thoughtfully arranged so it doesn’t come across as mainstream, despite the screen in the center of the dashboard. In my opinion, you can utilize it if you wish, but it’s not required to manage the car’s essential functions. If your focus is on the driving experience, most, if not all, operations can be executed through the digital gauge cluster.
Ferrari describes the interior as a dual-cockpit arrangement, which is quite accurate. The driver can engage in their specific role, operating the vehicle from their own space, while the passenger enjoys a similar experience through their own screen, featuring media, comfort, and other functions. Two distinct roles, two separate areas. Additionally, the center display acts as a kind of shared space for both. I appreciate this feature, as during everyday driving, I found myself wishing the Purosangue or 296 had a screen that was similarly sized. It’s simply practical, particularly when it comes to
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Ferrari 12-Cylinder Spider Review: An Ode to the Joy of Driving
The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is the sole production sports car available today that features a naturally aspirated V12 engine without any additional power enhancements. This fact alone makes its $660,000 price reasonable.