New Ferrari 812 Superfast 'Versione Speciale' unleashed

Pictures and initial specifications of the new 2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast Versione Speciale have been revealed, detailing a faster, more powerful and lighter take on the already-fearsome Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Unusually, the famous Italian supercar-maker hasn't yet confirmed its name, instead simply referring to it as a Versione Speciale 812 Superfast.

Following in the tyre tracks of the wild Ferrari F12tdf, the new 812-based special-edition gets a long list of external changes, dynamic upgrades and under-bonnet performance enhancements.

The big news is the Ferrari 812 Versione Speciale has had power of its naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 wound up from the standard car's 588kW to an incredible 610kW.

There's no word on what's happened to the donor supercar's already-herculean 718Nm torque peak, but to liberate the extra power engineers claim to have redesigned "many of the engine's key components".

This includes adding a new valve timing mechanism and introducing an entire new exhaust system.

It's these changes that have allowed Ferrari to raise the big V12's rev limiter from a stratospheric 8900rpm to an incredible 9500rpm.

The Version Speciale's V12 now becomes the Prancing Horse's highest-revving production engine of all time.

So far, Ferrari hasn't released any performance figures for the Versione Speciale. They're expected to arrive in conjunction with the release of the model name, but with the big bump in power and extra torque, plus a more advanced launch control system, the current 812's 0-100km/h time should slip from 2.9 seconds to around 2.5sec.

Top speed, meanwhile, is expected to climb from 340km/h to around 355km/h.

Helping improve handling, Ferrari says it has developed a new four-wheel steering system for the 812 that's claimed to boost agility and precision while cornering.

Plentiful use of lightweight carbon-fibre has also been employed that could carve as much as 100kg off the kerb weight, although some of those kilos will have been added back on due to the addition of the rear-steer system.

Speaking of rear steer, since the Ferrari 812 Versione Speciale remains rear-wheel drive, the Italian marque will offer its latest 7.0 version of its Slip Slide Control traction control system that helps drivers drift and manage oversteer on the track.

We're still awaiting full details of the extensive aero changes over the standard 812, but evidence of a completely redesigned rear deck that deletes the rear screen for aggressive slats suggests a package of measures that will reduce drag and maximise downforce.

Other changes include new bumpers, redesigned splitters, a revised rear diffuser and plentiful air-bending aids, all of which suggests not a single body panel will be shared with the standard car.

Justifying what's likely to be a million-dollar price tag, the 2021 Ferrari 812 Versione Speciale will only be offered to established Ferrari collectors in ultra-low numbers.

Later on, a convertible version based on the 812 GTS drop-top is also expected.