Now that the Purosangue SUV is out and about, Ferrari is back to doing what it does best – developing supercars. At the privately owned Fiorano circuit in Italy, a fully disguised prototype is spied on while making his best impression of Rome. However, looks can be deceiving as the car’s true identity is like a new V12 model to replace the hotter 812 Superfast and 812 Competizione that followed.
Roma had to settle for a smaller twin-turbo V8 engine while this test vehicle had a longer hood to accommodate the twelve-cylinder powerplant. The new front-engined V12 is part of Ferrari’s latest product roadmap, which calls for 15 new models by 2026. On that list is an EV set for release in 2025 but also a LaFerrari replacement slated to arrive “soon.” How fast? Unclear.
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Going back to the existing prototype, it sure sounds like a naturally aspirated V12. It’s refreshing to see and hear about a new supercar being developed with a large capacity engine when most automakers are all about downsizing, hybrids and EVs. As originally revealed in last week’s spy shots, the test vehicle has wider wheel arches compared to the Roma’s hips. The front fascia accommodates a redesigned bumper with a larger air intake to cool the larger engine.
We’ll remind you the 6.5-liter V12 in the 812 Competizione is good for a stunning 830 hp, but Ferrari has announced a more powerful variant is on the way. We may see it first in a hypercar that is likely to be part of a hybrid powertrain. Debuting at the end of the month will be the long-awaited Le Mans Hybrid endurance race car, which could provide a window into the future of the V12 Maranello.
Since this test vehicle doesn’t yet have a body of its own, it just means an official reveal won’t be happening anytime soon. Logic tells us 2023 will give us spy shots and videos of the prototype with the final body before the premiere at the end of the year or early 2024.
Ferrari will be one of the last automakers to pull an ICE, and in the meantime, the V12 is still getting at least another generation.