Ferrari 812 Superfast priced to kill

The Ferrari 812 Superfast may remain sold out in Australia for its entire model run, suggests Ferrari Australia CEO, Herbert Appleroth (pictured).

Speaking to media today for the local unveiling of the 812 Superfast, the Ferrari boss revealed that the order bank for the V12-engined sports car is "1.5 times" the country's full model-life allocation from the factory. Deliveries commence in December, ("just in time for Christmas," Appleroth said), but there's bad news for anyone wanting to place an order for the 812 – Ferrari's fastest ever V12 sports car.

"There's no guarantee they'll get a car," the Ferrari chief explained.

Although the demand for the car in Australia has been unexpectedly strong, other markets are also faced with a shortage of supply, meaning the factory is not in a position to redirect cars from elsewhere to satisfy the demand in Australia.

"The reception has been quite similar around the world," Appleroth observed.

"The management team know it's a problem," he continued, and "they're looking for a solution."

While Ferraris are always in demand, and the 812 Superfast appears a worthy successor to the F12 in its own right, the asking price – $610,000 – will also raise some eyebrows among the Ferraristi. That figure is over $80,000 lower than the retail price of the F12, $690,745.

While largely a development of the F12, the 812 comes with a new, 6.5-litre V12, developing 588kW and 718Nm. The front-mounted engine drives through a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle at the rear. In factory testing the 812 has managed to reach 100km/h from a standing start in 2.9 seconds.

As much as 75 per cent of the engine components are new, and Ferrari claims that 80 per cent of peak torque is available from 3500rpm, due in no small part to the continuously-variable inlet manifold runners and triple injection system.

"The engine delivers the kind of thrilling, top-end performance that is an exclusive characteristic of Ferrari's noble V12 heritage," says Appleroth.

Should owners care, fuel consumption in the NEDC combined-cycle test is 14.9L/100km.

Underpinned by magnetorheological dampers and featuring four-wheel steering – electric-assisted, a first for Ferrari – the 812 boasts handling that is the product of its 'Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0' system and version 5.0 of 'Side Slip Control' for improved agility.

The 20-inch wheels (10-inch wide front, 11.5-inch wide rear) are shod with 35-series Z-rated tyres and the brake rotors measure 398x38mm at the front and 360x32mm at the rear.

Ferrari has developed an entirely new interior for the 812, with focus on style and seating comfort ergonomics. The piece de resistance is the new colour, Rosso Settantani, to mark the occasion of Ferrari's 70th anniversary.