Ferrari 812 GTS

Ferrari 812 GTS – Overview

The Ferrari 812 Superfast succeeded the Ferrari F12berlinetta as the Prancing Horse’s V12 grand tourer in 2017. The same formula was used too – a large scintillating V12 engine in front, power sent only to the rear, and a generous helping of drama. The name is easy enough to understand too. The grand tourer has 800 cavallli vapore – that’s 800 PS in the Queen’s – and 12 for the number of cylinders hidden under that long, sleek hood.

The 812 Superfast was followed in quick succession with the Ferrari 812 GTS, which is the same car with a talent for going topless. As a hardtop convertible, the Ferrari 812 GTS is the first front-engine V12 production car the Italians have made in 50 years.

Maranello has been experimenting with turbocharging recently with their V8s, but forced induction has yet to be seen on their V12s, thankfully. The one in the Ferrari 812 Superfast and Ferrari 812 GTS was the most powerful ever, before the boffins fettled it further in the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2.

Ferrari 812 GTS – Exterior

It is easy to differentiate the Ferrari 812 GTS from its non-convertible twin too – there are no rear quarter quarterlight windows on the Ferrari 812 GTS and it has those thick, muscly buttresses that look the business with the roof down. Speaking of, the top will disappear in 14 seconds, and is operatable below 45 km/h. If the weather is bad and you still want aural stimulation, there’s a little rear screen that can be lowered just behind the seats as well.

The additional moving parts and strengthening mean that the Ferrari 812 GTS is 75 kg heavier than its twin. Additionally, further fiddling was performed to keep the performance of the convertible equal. The Ferrari 812 GTS has a redesigned rear diffuser to ensure aerodynamic integrity is kept on par, and technology from the LaFerrari Aperta is pinched as well to lower turbulence in the cabin. 

They are ‘two small L-shaped flaps on the upper corners of the windscreen that generate a coherent concentrated vortex that creates outwash in the velocity field immediately above the rear screen’. It works to a certain extent, but more on that later.

Ferrari 812 GTS – Interior

Sit inside the Ferrari 812 GTS and you’ll quickly find that this space is quintessentially modern Ferrari. It is an organised disarray of buttons that easily becomes muscle memory, even accounting for the steering wheel-mounted indicators.

This is the usual setup for Maranello’s offerings now. Steering wheel stalks have been eliminated, and all controls are buttons or dials on the steering. Infotainment is adequate. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay (which is optional in certain markets), which is really not the point of a Ferrari but in a grand tourer like the Ferrari 812 GTS it will be useful. 

There’s an additional optional display for the passenger who may turn into a vocal co-pilot when they see your affinity for the redline. The Ferrari 812 Superfast has a commendable luggage area that was larger than some of its rivals, but the Ferrari 812 GTS has just enough room for two modest overnight bags due to the space needed by the folding hardtop.

Ferrari 812 GTS – Features

However, the infotainment is driver-focused, making the dominant screen is in front of the driver and so eliminating the passenger’s ability to interact with a lot of the functions. That’s a little strange, in our opinion. As for the driver, there are a lot of fun features. 

The grand tourer has version 5.0 of Ferrari’s Side Slip Control that promises wider angles and better control during slides. Ferrari Peak Performance will better give the driver feedback via the steering wheel to better communicate the available grip. Another system that helps drivers control the car is Ferrari Power Oversteer, which will torque the steering to give feedback to the driver to realign the car correctly.

Ferrari 812 GTS – Powertrain

Ferrari has kept weight distribution in mind too. The big engine in front is mounted as far behind the front axle as possible, giving it a more front-mid placement. Thus, the distribution is an enthusiasts dream of 47/53 front to rear split.
The powerful V12 is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission made for Ferrari by Getrag. 

This tranny has been honed since the Ferrari 458s, and so is almost as refined as it is quick now. All 800 of those metric horses are sent to the rear wheels only. Stopping power comes in the form of standard carbon ceramic rotors, which are 398 x 223 x 38 mm in front, and 360 x 233 x 32 mm at the rear.

Ferrari 812 GTS – Driving Performance

With all the explosive power just on one axle, any misbehaviour is quickly and effectively reined in by electronic nannies. Out on public roads, they really left on duty at all times. That’s not saying that the Ferrari 812 GTS is hard to drive – in fact it is worrying how easy it is, which may lull less competent operators into a false sense of security. 

The steering is light and the front axle eagerly points in whatever desired direction, while even mild liberties taken of the throttle will result in satisfying speeds.
Here are the Ferrari 812 GTS’s specs at glance.
6.5-litre V12
800 PS at 8,500 rpm
718 Nm at 7,000 rpm (80% available at 3,500 rpm)
7-speet DCT
EPS, PCV 2.0, E-Diff3, F1 Trac, ABS/EBD with Pre-Fill, FrS SCM-E.
0-100 km/h in < 3.0 seconds
0-200 km/h in 8.3 seconds
> 340 km/h top speed
100-0 km/h in 32 metres
200-0 km/h in 121 metres

Ferrari 812 GTS – Ride Comfort

Ferrari 812 GTS – Fuel Economy

Ferrari 812 GTS – Conclusion