Ferrari F12 tdF

13 October, 2015

J-C Etter

The Ferrari F12tdf brings a fascinating supercar to new levels.

The F12tdf pays homage to the Tour de France, the legendary endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the 1950s and ‘60s, particularly with the 1956 250 GT Berlinetta which won four consecutive editions.

With a peak torque of 690 Nm at 6000 rpm and 740hp at 8250 rpm, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta already offers fascinating performance. On the F12tdf, the 6262 cm3 V12 reaches a maximum torque value of 705 Nm at 6750 rpm, with 80% already available from 2500 rpm. Power peaks at 780 hp at 8500 rpm, and the rev range limit is pushed to a dizzying 8’900 rpm. The transmission ratio is shortened by 6%, and the twinclutch gearbox achieves even faster shifts: upshifts are 30% faster, downshifts 40% quicker. Claimed performance is 0 to 100 km/h in 2,9 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 7,9 seconds, and a significant increase in lateral acceleration. The F12tdf has been timed on the Fiorano works racetrack in only 1’21”. Top speed exceeds 340 km/h.

The F12tdf inherits the new Extreme Design one-piece brake callipers already seen on the LaFerrari. This new-generation system means the car can brake from 100-0 km/h in just 30.5 m and from 200-0 in 121 m. Tire dimensions have been adapted to cope with the performance envelope: 275/35 ZR 20 on 10” rims at the front, 315/35 ZR 20” on 11,5” rims at the rear.

Ferrari also claims a 87% increase in downforce – 230 kg at 200 km/h, 107 kg higher than the F12. The rear spoiler is now 60mm longer and 30mm higher, while the rake of the rear screen has been made more vertical to extend the surface area over which the spoiler can generate downforce and to capitalise on its advantages more effectively. The concave curvature of the rear luggage hatch either side of the rear screen further enhances the solution. Ferrari reports a 110kg weight reduction and specifies 1415 kg dry. For reference, we measured our F12 Berlinetta test car at 1769 kg with a full tank, substantially more than the claimed 1630 kg curb weight. The F12tdf production is limited to 799 units.