The front-engined, rear-wheel drive V12 drop-top layout has always played an important role in Ferrari’s history, stretching right back to the earliest days of Maranello with the iconic 1947 125S. Now, as a follow up to the incredible 812 Superfast — first launched at Blackbird Concessionaires’ Repulse Bay showroom just over two years ago — the 812 GTS revisits this history and the immensely-satisfying driving experience that is truly unique to this classic convertible configuration. The undeniable connection with the environment around you results in nothing but thin air standing between the cockpit and the pitch-perfect wail of 800 cv’s worth of naturally-aspirated V12 perfection as the driver cuts a path through serpentine mountain roads. With its quick-actuating retractable roof, the 812 GTS is also extremely versatile, allowing the driver to go from spider back to hard top in 14 seconds should the weather turn sour mid-drive.
ENGINE
The new 812 GTS naturally takes its underpinnings from the much-praised Ferrari 812 Superfast. This means the same incredible naturally-aspirated 6.5 litre V12 is found under the bonnet, capable of producing a staggering 800 cv and 718 Nm of torque. With 80 percent of that torque available from just 3,500 rpm and a screaming redline of 8,900 rpm, this makes the V12 engine one of the best-performing, most-versatile and greatest-sounding production engines available anywhere on earth. The incredible V12 is backed up by a dual-clutch transmission that sees dramatic cuts in up and down-shift times when the more aggressive Manettino settings are selected, resulting in immediate power delivery and a driving experience that can be tailored to any driving style and environment.
DESIGN
Designed by the Ferrari Centro Stile in Maranello and based on the 812 Superfast, the 812 GTS retains the same interior and exterior dimensions, effortlessly combining performance and elegance in a sleek yet aggressive two-box, high-tail design reminiscent of the classic Daytona Spyder. With the move to drop-top however, the entire rear end of the car has been redesigned to include two prominent buttresses, under which the retractable roof mechanism is located. When the top is lowered, the roof panels disappear beneath an integrated tonneau cover. Multi-spoke forged wheels, unique to the spider, complete the design package and are available in three different specifications — diamond-finish, liquid silver and Grigio Scuro.
AERODYNAMICS
Aerodynamics can be especially challenging when sculpting the bodywork of a convertible vehicle - the design brief stating that the spider configuration must perform as well as its fixed roof counterpart with the roof closed, while simultaneously providing complete passenger comfort with the roof down. For the 812 GTS, this was achieved through months of careful research and refinement at the Ferrari Centro Stilo. Due to this retractable roof system, the rear arches forego the aerodynamic by-passes seen on the 812 Superfast but compensates for them with a complete reconfiguration of the rear diffuser to better glue the body to the tarmac at all speeds. Air vents have also been added to the top of the rear flank to reduce drag and meticulous work has gone into sculpting the cabin area to ensure occupants are able to have a perfectly-audible conversation with the top down, even at high speed.
VEHICLE DYNAMICS
The 812 GTS is equipped with all of the new generation components and control systems found in the 812 Superfast, allowing it to deliver the same incredible level of traction, handling prowess and driver engagement despite the astronomical power and torque provided by the thundering V12 engine up-front. The new spider features the latest versions of Ferrari’s proprietary EPS (Electronic Power Steering), Virtual Short Wheel Base (PCV), Ferrari Peak Performance (FPP), and Ferrari Power Oversteer (FPO) systems, all working seamlessly together to allow the driver to make the most of this incredibly quick machine. With a 0-100 km/h sprint in just under 3 seconds, a 0-200 km/h time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 340 km/h, the 812 GTS’s performance figures are only marginally different to that of the hard top 812 Superfast - a remarkable achievement for any spider configuration.
SEVEN YEARS MAINTENANCE
As with all cars from the current Ferrari stable, an extended seven-year maintenance programme is offered with the 812 GTS through Blackbird Ferrari Technical Service. This programme covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life, allowing the client to ensure that their machine is being kept at the highest levels of performance and safety over the course of this period.
Fifty years after the last Ferrari V12 spider range model, the all-new 812 GTS continues to set benchmarks in its category, continuing the record-breaking qualities of Ferrari road cars by making it the most powerful production convertible available on the market.