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This is Ferrari's new 812 Competizione, a front-engine V12-powered Berlinetta with its roots in legends such as the 250 GT short wheelbase and the GTO of the 1960s
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It's also a direct descendant of the much more recent 599 GTO and F12 TDF, both road-legal, track-biased, low-volume specials that allow Ferrari to debut the very latest in its engine, chassis and aerodynamic technology
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So, join me on board for a very brief session around Ferrari's Fiorano test track and some first impressions of this monster of a machine
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Okay, welcome to Fiorano. It's always really special to be here, especially when you're sat behind an 830, I can't even say it, 830 horsepower V12
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Six and a half litres, naturally aspirated. Ferrari talked about it last night in the press conference, introduced it as Her Majesty
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And you get an idea of the reverence that they have for the big V12
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but there's a lot more to this car than just the engine even if it really is the heart and soul of
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the car there's a new third gen virtual wheelbase and this time not only do the rear wheels steer
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but they can steer independently as well which obviously opens up all sorts of dynamic opportunities plus as you can probably tell
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just by looking at it there's some serious aero work gone on as well
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It about 38 kilos or so lighter than the 812 super fast Actually looks very different because of the changes to the body
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you've gotta almost hold on that is absolutely savage
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The stability through there is fantastic
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You can feel the rear going when you get on the power but it's not scary
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Oh. And now we are slowing down. The Competizione's V12 is the most powerful, naturally aspirated road car engine Ferrari has ever made
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And it truly is a force of nature. Revving it out to the red line is a real event, an experience to be savoured
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It feels impossibly strong to me at Fiorano, and on the road, well, opportunities to fully uncork it are going to be few and far between
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But it is the engine, inevitably, that is the real heart and soul of this car
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And as long as Ferrari is allowed to keep making engines like these, it says it will do so
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Now, Ferrari has switched to a 275-width front tyre, but it has done so only with the belief that the new rear axle
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with its independent rear wheel steering can provide the support and stability it needs
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And what strikes me from this brief drive is that while the Competizione
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turns into the corner really positively, it doesn't feel on a nice edge
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And when it does slide, it gives a really clear indication to the driver that is about to lose grip
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I wouldn't go as far to say it's friendly, but what 819 brake horsepower car is
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But it was a lot more confidence in sparring than I had expected
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So stay tuned for when we get much more track time in this incredible car
