Although the majority of Ferraris built over the last four decades have featured a mid-engine layout, there was a time when all of Maranello's products were front-engined. Until the mid-1960s, Enzo Ferrari felt that a mid-engine Ferrari would be unsafe in the hands of customers. That changed in 1966, when Enzo, having seen the stir Lamborghini created with the 1966-1974 Lamborghini Miura, approved the V-6-powered 1967-1980 Ferrari Dino for production. Although mid-engined supercars became increasingly popular through the 1970s, Ferrari continued to build front-engined cars into the 21st century, with the current lineup including the 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta, 2012 Ferrari FF, and 2015 Ferrari California T.

The F12berlinetta, a full-fledged grand tourer, harkens back to the 1968-1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" of the late 1960s, and in many way to the iconic 1964-1966 Ferrari 275 GTB and 1962-1964 Ferrari 250 GTO. Much like its predecessors, it spawned various one-off and special-edition models, including the 2014 Ferrari F12 TRS, 2015 Ferrari SP America, 2015 Ferrari F60 America, and the 2015 Carrozzeria Touring Berlinetta Lusso. Now, Ferrari injected more power into the F12berlinetta to create the F12tdf, a tribute to the legendary Tour de France automobile race, an event Maranello dominated from 1956 through 1964.

Originally rumored to wear a "Speciale" badge, the F12tdf is more than just a tribute car with added grunt. The F12berlinetta shell has been redesigned for improved downforce and weight has been reduce by means of extensive carbon-fiber and aluminum use. Additionally, the Italians used new state-of-the-art tech to make the F12tdf one of the quickest Ferraris out there. Find out more below.

Updated 08/17/2017: We added a series on new images and a video taken during the 2017 Monterey Car Week.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari F12tdf.

2017 Ferrari F12tdf

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Ferrari F12tdf
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 769
  • Torque: 519
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

2017 Monterey Car Week

Exterior

Unlike the F12berlinetta Tour de France Edition, which was a standard F12 with a special livery, the F12tdf is a more aggressive version of the F12berlinetta. Though the overall shape and size are identical, the F12tdf features redesigned front and rear fascias, and a revised profile.

Up front, the bumper has been resculpted and now consists of a T-shaped intake with big ducts at each extremity, a carbon fiber splitter, and new vents and racing canards toward the sides. The new bumper changes the F12's appearance quite dramatically, as the nose is slightly longer and has race car written all over it. The engine hood is also new, sporting a revised V-shaped power bulge and new vents for improved cooling.

Around back, the unique T-shaped fascia that starts at the center of the lower apron and wraps around the circular LED taillights on the standard car is gone here, as most of the rear bumper is now a massive trapezoidal indentation that extends into a wide diffuser. And while the exhaust pipes seem to be in the exact same position, they now feature big black surrounds made from carbon-fiber. The rear spoiler is now 60mm (2.3 inches) longer and 30mm higher (1.2 inch), while the rake of the tailgate has been made more vertical to generate more downforce. The windscreen has also been remodeled into a thinner, T-shaped piece. Finally, there's black stripe running from one taillight into the other and a significantly smaller prancing horse emblem.

Ferrari F12tdf

Ferrari 250 GTO


Onto the sides, the F12 Speciale showcases many new features as well. The front fenders sport a new vent and a black stripe that extends toward the engine hood, while the rear arches received a trio of gills that pay tribute to the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO. The quarter windows are smaller, while the side skirts are wider than usual, another feature that contributes to the F12tdf's improved aerodynamics. The F12tdf also appears to ride to ride a bit lower than the standard model.

Rounding off this radical front-engined supercar is a set of lightweight alloy wheels in a five-twin-spoke design. Ferrari says the rollers were designed to have the narrowest section possible to reduce weight. The wheels come wrapped in wider tires compared to the F12berlinetta.

Naturally, the redesigned body isn't just about a more aggressive stance. All these changes improve the F12's aerodynamic performance dramatically. The F12tdf's aerodynamic efficiency now sits at 1.6, which is almost double than that of the standard model. Moreover, downforce is 230 kg (507 pounds) at 124 mph, a 107-kg (236-pound) improvement over the F12berlinetta.

As far as weight-saving measures go, Ferrari managed to slash 110 kg (242.5 pounds) off the car’s overall weight, taking the curb weight down to an impressive 1,415 kg (3,119 pounds).

Ferrari F12tdf

Ferrari F12 berlinetta


Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,656 MM (183.30 Inches)

Width

1,961 MM (77.20 Inches)

Height

1,273 MM (50.11 Inches)

Dry weight

1,415 KG (3119 LBS)

Weight distribution

46% front – 54% rear


Interior

At first glance, the F12tdf's interior isn't very different than the standard supercar, but new elements can be spotted upon closer inspection. Arguably the biggest difference compared to the F12berlinetta is the Alcantara upholstery. Yup, even though this is a Ferrari, there's not an inch of leather inside the cabin except for the steering wheel. All surfaces are either carbon-fiber, aluminum, high-quality plastic or Alcantara. The lack of leather isn't a bad thing though, as it enhances the F12tdf's aggressive and track-oriented nature. It's not the "spartan" interior Ferrari claims it to be, but it's certainly a bit closer to no-nonsense cockpits of the original Tour de France-winning race cars.

Speaking of carbon-fiber, the lightweight material is present on everything from the door panels to the dashboard. The standard door panels have been stripped off and replaced by single, carbon-fiber shell for weight-saving purposes. However, the Alcantara used on the upper half, as well as the center piece that mimics the standard unit give the F12tdf's door panels a closer resemblance to the F12berlinetta. More carbon can be seen on the dashboard, especially on the driver's side and the center stack. Both the instrument panel housing and the satellite pods are crafted from carbon-fiber, as is the central and lower section of the steering wheel.

Ferrari also removed the glove compartment, turning it into a race-spec knee pad. Though identical to the F12berlinetta's as far as shape goes, the seats feature yellow stripes and white contrast stitching that add a bit of color to the otherwise black cockpit. I think Ferrari should've considered a pair of race-spec bucket seats for the F12tdf, at least as an option, for drivers looking to take their beefed-up supercar to the track.

Finally, Ferrari replaced the car's standard floor mats with patterned aluminum sheets, which not only lowers the curb weight, but also gives the F12tdf's cockpit a racier appearance.

Drivetrain

Not surprisingly, motivataion comes from the same 6.3-liter V-12 powerplant found int he F12berlinetta, but Ferrari massaged the naturally aspirated unit to deliver 769 horsepower and 519 pound-feet of torque. That's 39 extra horses and nine extra pound-feet over the standard model, but the F12tdf's V-12 is more than just updated numbers.

The mill now uses race-inspired mechanical tappets and variable-geometry intake trumpets borrowed from the brand's Formula One cars. The new internals help boost volumetric efficiency at high revs. Additionally, Ferrari fitted the F12tdf with a bespoke version of its dual-clutch transmission. The revised unit has six-percent shorter gear ratios and delivers 30-percent faster upshifts and 40-percent quicker downshifts.

The F12tdf also received a new Virtual Short Wheelbase system, which is Maranello talk for four-wheel steering. The technology sharpens turn-in, increases stability (together with the wider track), and keeps the tail on its best behavior at the track.

These improvements make the F12tdf significantly quicker than the F12berlinetta, as the 0-to-62 mph sprints dropped from 3.1 to 2.9 seconds, while hitting 124 mph from a standing start takes only 7.9 ticks instead of 8.5. What's more, Ferrari claims the F12tdf lapped the Fiorano test track in one minute and 21 seconds, making it two seconds faster than the F12berlinetta and 488 GTB and just a second slower than the mighty LaFerrari. That's pretty impressive for a front-engined car!

No word on top speed, but the F12tdf should be able to top 200 mph. The F12berlinetta can hit 211 mph.

Stopping power comes from the same one-piece brake calipers used in the LaFerrari. The new system enables the F12tdf to brake from 62 to 0 mph in just 30.5 meters (100 feet) and from 124 to 0 mph in 121 meters (397 feet).

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

65-degree V12

Overall displacement

6,262 cc

Max. power output

769 HP @ 8,500 RPM

Max. torque

519 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM

Max. engine speed

8,900 rpm (limiter)

Max. speed

in excess of 211 MPH (340 KM/H)

0-100 km/h

2.9 seconds

0-200 km/h

7.9 seconds

Fiorano lap time

1’21”


Prices

With the F12berlinetta priced from around $325,000 in the U.S., the F12tdf should fetch around $500,000 before options. Production will be limited to only 699 examples, meaning the F12tdf will most likely sell out in a matter of weeks. Expect deliveries to commence in the second quarter of 2016.

Competition

2015 Lamborghini Aventador SV

Yeah, I know the Aventador SV is a mid-engined supercar, but a Ferrari's comparison section cannot miss a Lambo, no matter the configuration. Much like the F12tdf, the SuperVeloce is an Avendator with a more aggressive and aerodynamic body kit, as well as a beefed-up powerplant. But unlike the Ferrari, the Lambo comes with a large rear wing, which entitles it to bonus point in the styling department.

Motivation comes from the brand's tried-and-true 6.5-liter V-12 engine, which for the SV has been massaged to produce 740 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. That may be a bit less than what the F12tdf has at its disposal, but just enough to enable the Aventador SV to hit 62 mph in 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 217 mph. Pricing for the SV is set at $400,995 in the U.S.

Find out more about the Lamborghini Aventador SV.

2014-2015 Aston Martin Vanquish

As far as grand tourers go, the Aston Martin Vanquish is one of the very few nameplates that can give the F12berlinetta a run for its money. But unfortunately for Aston Martin, the F12tdf is more than what the Vanquish can chew performance-wise, as the 6.0-liter V-12 churns "only" 565 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of twist. These numbers are good enough to get the Vanquish from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and up to a top speed of 201 mph, but simply not enough to keep up with the Ferrari.

The good news is the Vanquish gets its fair share of fancy options and packages. If you want to stand out, there's the Vanquish Carbon Edition with blacked-out window trim and wheels and carbon-fiber inserts on the inside. Making things better if you're willing to get past the fact that the Vanquish is far from being a track-prepped machine is the $282,820 sticker.

Read our full review on the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Conclusion

Launched in 2012, the F12berlinetta has soldiered on unchanged until 2015. Simply put, Ferrari neglected its front-engined supercar for nearly three years. That wouldn't be an issue normally, simply because it's a Ferrari and that Maranello takes more years to update its vehicles, but the F12berlinetta is part of a lineage that carries strong motorsport credentials. The 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB before it received track-only 2009 Ferrari 599XX and 2012 Ferrari 599XX EVO versions, while the 2002-2006 Ferrari 575M that came before that was made available in FIA GT racing specifications. Sure, it wasn't very successful, but the point is Ferrari is finally doing something about the F12berlinetta.

Arguably the most potent grand tourer to date, the F12tdf has everything it needs to become yet another successful product. Built on the same recipe as past Ferrari XX projects, the F12tdf is not only menacing to look at, but it's also nearly as quick as a mid-engined Aventador. All these feats put the F12tdf in a league of its own, which makes it that much more desirable among Ferrari enthusiasts and supercar collectors. Performance aside, what I appreciate most about the F12tdf is that Ferrari opted to associate the car with its past Tour de France success and name it accordingly, instead of going with a more familiar "Speciale" or "XX" badge. Ferrari has a plenty of heritage to brag about and the F12tdf is the perfect vehicle for a Tour de France tribute.

Updated History

Updated 11/25/2015: A new report indicates that Ferrari's latest F12tdf is already sold out. This means that despite the car's €310,184 (about $330,000) starting price all 799 units have been spoken for.

Updated 11/23/2015: Ferrari dropped a first promo video for its latest F12tdg. For the first time you will get the chance to see the car in action on the race track and hear the amazing sound delivered by the V-12 engine. Hit play to watch it!

Updated 11/09/2015: Ferrari brought a F12tdf this past weekend at the Finali Mondiali that took place at the Mugello circuit. Click play to watch the F12tdf opening the exhibition hour and enjoying the amazing sound delivered by its engine.

Updated 10/15/2015: Ferrari continues to highlight its new F12tdf in a new video that focuses on the supercar's dynamics. Check it out to see what changes you will find in the F12tdf.

Updated 10/14/2015: Only one day after its official debut, Ferrari dropped a first official video for the F12tf. The video talks about the amazing V-12 engine found under the hood and highlights all the modifications made, starting with the use of race-inspired mechanical tappets and variable-geometry intake trumpets used on Formula 1 cars.

Updated 10/13/2015: Ferrari dropped the official details on its new F12tdf - a model that pays tribute to the Tour de France endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the 1950s and 1960s.

Updated 10/02/2015: The guys over thesupercarkids report that the long waited F12 Speciale will be officially unveiled next week. It will most likely be called F12 VS (Version Speciale) and will be built in limited edition - with all the units having been sold already.

Updated 09/23/2015: The upcoming F12 Speciale was caught testing in Maranello. We know you all were waiting to see this hardcover version of the F12 at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, but apparently you'll have to wait until 2016 Geneva Motor Show to get a first glimpse.

Updated 08/14/2015: The guys over WorldSupercars caught the upcoming F12 Speciale testing on the road and for the first time you get the chance to hear the amazing sound of the car's V-12 engine.