The Ferrari 812 Competizione represents the final evolution of the company’s front-engine V12 grand tourer. Introduced in 2021 as a limited edition variant of the 812 Superfast, the Competizione was designed to be the most extreme and focused version of the 812 platform. It was also the swan song for Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 in a front-engine configuration, as the company has since shifted toward hybrid and turbocharged powertrains.
The 812 Competizione features a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 819 horsepower, a 9,500 rpm redline, and a sound that is among the best in the industry. It is lighter than the standard 812, with a more aggressive aerodynamic package, revised suspension tuning, and a focus on track performance. Only 999 coupes were built, along with 599 units of the open-top Competizione A.
This article provides a comprehensive examination of the Ferrari 812 Competizione, including its development, V12 engine, performance, design, and why it represents the ultimate expression of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 grand tourer.
The 812 Lineage: From the F12 to the Competizione
The Ferrari 812 Superfast was introduced in 2017 as the successor to the F12berlinetta. It featured a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated V12 producing 789 horsepower, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and rear-wheel drive. It was the most powerful front-engine Ferrari ever built at the time.
The 812 Competizione was developed as a track-focused variant, similar to how the 458 Speciale evolved from the 458 Italia. Ferrari engineers took the 812 platform and refined every aspect: the engine received more power and a higher redline, the chassis was lightened and stiffened, and the aerodynamics were redesigned for increased downforce.
The Competizione was unveiled in 2021, alongside the open-top Competizione A. Production was limited to 999 coupes and 599 spiders, and all units were sold before production began.
The V12 Engine: The Heart of the Competizione
Engine Specifications
The 812 Competizione is powered by a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, designated the F140 HB. This engine is a development of the unit that powered the 812 Superfast, with significant modifications for increased power and a higher redline.
The engine produces 819 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 513 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm. The redline is 9,500 rpm, making it one of the highest-revving production V12 engines ever built.
The specific output is 126 horsepower per liter, a figure that is remarkable for a naturally aspirated engine of this size.
Engine Modifications
To achieve the higher power and redline, Ferrari engineers made several modifications. The intake system was redesigned with new intake runners and a revised airbox. The exhaust system was optimized for improved flow and a more distinctive sound. The valvetrain was upgraded with new camshafts and valves, allowing for higher engine speeds.
The engine also features a revised lubrication system, with a new oil pump and oil passages that ensure consistent oil flow at high rpm and high g-forces.
The Sound
The V12 engine’s sound is one of the Competizione’s defining characteristics. The engine produces a high-pitched wail as the revs climb toward the 9,500 rpm redline. The sound is sharp, urgent, and deeply satisfying, with a quality that distinguishes it from every other production engine.
Ferrari engineers tuned the exhaust system specifically for the Competizione, with a more pronounced and aggressive note than the standard 812.
Performance
Acceleration and Speed
The 812 Competizione accelerates from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds. The 0 to 124 miles per hour sprint takes approximately 7.5 seconds. Top speed is 211 miles per hour (340 kilometers per hour).
These figures are marginally improved over the standard 812 Superfast, reflecting the additional power and reduced weight.
Fiorano Lap Time
The 812 Competizione set a lap time of 1 minute 20.0 seconds at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. This is approximately 1.5 seconds faster than the standard 812 Superfast, and it is competitive with many mid-engine supercars.
Weight and Balance
The 812 Competizione has a dry weight of approximately 1,487 kilograms (3,278 pounds). This represents a weight reduction of approximately 38 kilograms (84 pounds) compared to the standard 812 Superfast.
The weight reduction was achieved through the use of carbon fiber for the hood, roof, wheels, and other components. The car also features a lighter exhaust system and the removal of some sound deadening material.
The weight distribution is 47 percent front, 53 percent rear, contributing to the car’s balanced handling.
Chassis and Dynamics
Suspension
The 812 Competizione features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, both constructed from lightweight aluminum. The suspension is revised compared to the standard 812, with stiffer springs, revised damper calibration, and a lower ride height.
The car features Ferrari’s Side Slip Control system, which manages torque delivery and stability control to allow the driver to control oversteer. The system is calibrated for the Competizione’s power and chassis.
Steering
The electric power steering is calibrated for the Competizione’s performance focus. The system provides appropriate weighting and feedback, with a level of communication that is good for an electric system. The steering ratio is quick, requiring minimal input to change direction.
Brakes
The braking system uses carbon ceramic discs with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear. The system provides exceptional stopping power, with consistent pedal feel and resistance to fade during track use.
Wheels and Tires
The 812 Competizione rides on 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels, wrapped in specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. The front tires are 275/35 ZR20, and the rear tires are 315/35 ZR21. The Cup 2 R tires are designed for maximum grip on track, with a compound that provides exceptional adhesion once warmed up.
Aerodynamics
Downforce and Drag
The 812 Competizione’s aerodynamic package is significantly more aggressive than the standard 812’s. The car features a new front bumper with larger air intakes and a more prominent splitter. The hood has a central vent that extracts hot air from the engine bay.
The most distinctive aerodynamic feature is the rear window. Unlike the standard 812, the Competizione has a fixed rear window with integrated vortex generators. This design, inspired by Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars, manages airflow over the rear of the car, increasing downforce at the rear axle.
The car also features a new rear diffuser and a fixed rear wing that is integrated into the decklid. The wing is not adjustable, but its angle and shape are optimized for the car’s downforce targets.
The aerodynamic package generates approximately 280 kilograms of downforce at 124 miles per hour, a significant increase over the standard 812.
Design
Exterior Styling
The 812 Competizione’s exterior design is more aggressive than the standard 812’s. The front end features a new bumper with larger air intakes and a more prominent splitter. The hood has a central vent, and the side skirts are more pronounced.
The rear end is characterized by the fixed rear window with vortex generators, the integrated rear wing, and the larger diffuser. The taillights are slim and integrated into the bodywork.
The Competizione is available in a range of colors, including the exclusive Competizione Yellow that is unique to the model.
Interior Design
The interior of the 812 Competizione is focused on the driver. The seats are heavily bolstered to hold occupants during cornering, with leather and Alcantara upholstery. The seats are power adjustable with heating.
The dashboard features a digital instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch display, configurable to show performance data. The central infotainment screen measures 10.2 inches, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Competizione features a number of lightweight interior details. The door panels are made of carbon fiber, and the carpet is thinner than the standard 812’s. The audio system is optional, and buyers can delete it to save weight.
The Competizione A
Ferrari also produced the 812 Competizione A, an open-top version of the car. The A stands for Aperta, Italian for “open.” The Competizione A features a removable carbon fiber roof panel, and it is mechanically identical to the coupe.
The open-top design required modifications to the aerodynamics, as the fixed roof is absent. Ferrari engineers redesigned the rear window and the area behind the seats to manage airflow with the roof removed.
Production of the Competizione A was limited to 599 units, making it rarer than the coupe.
Driving Experience
On Road Character
The 812 Competizione is a car that demands to be driven. The V12 engine produces a high-pitched wail that fills the cabin, and the suspension transmits road imperfections without transmitting excessive harshness. The car is not comfortable in the way a grand tourer is, but it is not punishing.
The steering is direct and communicative, providing feedback that allows the driver to place the car accurately. The engine responds immediately to throttle inputs, with power building linearly to the 9,500 rpm redline.
On Track Behavior
When driven on a track, the Competizione reveals the depth of its engineering. The brakes provide consistent stopping power lap after lap, with a pedal feel that inspires confidence. The chassis remains composed through corners, with the aerodynamic downforce providing grip that mechanical systems alone could not achieve.
The car’s front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout requires skill to manage. The Competizione rewards smooth, precise inputs and punishes abrupt actions. The car is balanced and predictable, with a slight tendency toward oversteer at the limit that rewards skilled drivers.
The Sound
The V12 engine’s sound is the Competizione’s defining characteristic. The engine produces a high-pitched wail as the revs climb toward the 9,500 rpm redline. The sound is sharp, urgent, and deeply satisfying, with a quality that distinguishes it from every other production engine.
Rarity and Exclusivity
Production Numbers
Ferrari built 999 units of the 812 Competizione coupe and 599 units of the Competizione A spider. All units were sold before production began, and the car is no longer available new.
Pricing
The 812 Competizione carried a base price of approximately $600,000 for the coupe and approximately $700,000 for the A. This pricing placed it in the upper tier of Ferrari’s lineup, above the 812 Superfast and below the SF90 Stradale.
Collector Status
The Competizione is one of the most sought-after Ferraris of its era. Its limited production numbers, its status as the final front-engine V12 Ferrari, and its legendary performance have made it a prized collector car.
How the 812 Competizione Stacks Up Against Rivals
Against the Ferrari 812 Superfast
The 812 Superfast is the standard version of the Competizione, with 789 horsepower and a less aggressive aerodynamic package.
The Superfast’s advantage is its comfort and its daily usability. The standard car is more refined, with a quieter cabin and a more compliant suspension.
The Competizione’s advantage is its performance and its character. The Competizione is faster, more agile, and more engaging to drive than the Superfast.
Against the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is a mid-engine V12 supercar with 759 horsepower and all-wheel drive.
The SVJ’s advantage is its drama and its all-wheel-drive traction. The Lamborghini’s V12 produces a distinctive sound, and its ALA active aero system is advanced.
The Competizione’s advantage is its front-engine character and its naturally aspirated V12. The Ferrari is more refined and more engaging to drive than the Aventador.
Against the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate
The Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate is a front-engine V12 grand tourer with 759 horsepower.
The DBS’s advantage is its luxury and its daily usability. The Aston Martin is more comfortable, with a more refined interior and a more compliant suspension.
The Competizione’s advantage is its performance and its track focus. The Ferrari is faster, more agile, and more engaging to drive than the Aston Martin.
Against the Porsche 911 Turbo S
The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a rear-engine, all-wheel-drive sports car with 640 horsepower.
The 911 Turbo S’s advantage is its all-weather capability and its daily usability. The Porsche is more refined, more comfortable, and more practical than the Competizione.
The Competizione’s advantage is its V12 engine and its front-engine character. The Ferrari’s engine provides a sound and a character that the Porsche’s flat-six cannot match.
The End of an Era
The 812 Competizione is the last naturally aspirated V12 front-engine Ferrari. The company has announced that future V12 Ferraris will be hybrid, and the front-engine layout may be phased out in favor of mid-engine configurations.
For enthusiasts who value the sound and character of a naturally aspirated V12, the Competizione represents the end of an era. It is the ultimate expression of a formula that Ferrari has perfected over decades.
Specifications Summary
| Specification | 812 Competizione | 812 Competizione A |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 | 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 |
| Horsepower | 819 hp at 9,250 rpm | 819 hp at 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 513 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm | 513 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm |
| Redline | 9,500 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drive | Rear wheel drive | Rear wheel drive |
| 0-62 mph | 2.9 seconds | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 211 mph | 211 mph |
| Weight | 1,487 kg dry | 1,520 kg dry |
| Production | 999 units | 599 units |
| Base Price | $600,000 | $700,000 |
Conclusion
The Ferrari 812 Competizione represents the ultimate expression of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 grand tourer. It is the final evolution of a formula that began with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona and continued through the 550 Maranello, the 599 GTB, and the F12berlinetta. With 819 horsepower, a 9,500 rpm redline, and a sound that is among the best in the industry, the Competizione is a fitting swan song for the front-engine V12 Ferrari.
The Competizione is not a car for everyone. Its production is limited to 999 coupes and 599 spiders, its price is $600,000, and its focus on track performance means it lacks the comfort of grand tourers. But for the buyers who acquired a Competizione, the car offers something that no other vehicle can provide: the experience of driving the ultimate naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari.
The Competizione also represents the end of an era. Ferrari has announced that future V12s will be hybrid, and the front-engine layout may be phased out. The Competizione is the last of its kind, a car that honors Ferrari’s heritage while pushing the boundaries of performance.
For enthusiasts who value the sound and character of a naturally aspirated V12, the 812 Competizione is a legend. It will forever be remembered as one of the greatest Ferraris ever built.
