New Ferrari F12 Berlinetta supercar unveiled

Any new Ferrari is a cause for celebration and for many the amazing Ferrari F12 Berlinetta will be the star of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. If you think it looks great, well, technically, it will blow your mind.

What is it?

The F12 Berlinetta is the fastest Ferrari ever. Powered by a 740hp 6.3-litre V12, this front-engined, rear-wheel drive supercar does 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed rated in excess of 211mph. But it's also more spacious and fuel-efficient as well - and packed with incredible technology.

What's hot?

This thing just exudes supercar sex appeal. It has cutting edge aerodynamics, a brand new spaceframe chassis constructed from no less than 12 different types of alloy, a completely integrated suite of electronic control systems, reduced weight, and a lower centre of gravity that's pushed further back in the chassis compared to the Ferrari 599 it replaces. Did we mention the 740hp V12?

What's not?

Even if it's not a conventionally gorgeous car - can you name the last Ferrari that was? - some of the visual details are out of this world. Just look at that back end treatment, and the muscular flanks. But while the F12 comprehensively outpaces the Enzo, Ferrari is also planning a new hypercar - and that will make this car seem tame.

How much and when?

First hints at Geneva are that the F12 Berlinetta should just squeeze in beneath
£250,000 before you've even tackled the options list. And if that makes you nervous don't even ask about the price of the show car's three-layer Rosso Berlinetta paint. You can join the queue now, but prepare for a lengthy wait.

Anything else I need to know?

As well as 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds and that 211mph+ top speed, the F12 will hit 124mph in just 8.5 seconds. With a dry weight of 1,525kg it's 70kg lighter than the 599 - yet 20% stiffer. The 740hp engine revs to 8,700rpm but also produces 509lb ft of torque, 80% of which is available at just 2,500rpm. A 30% improvement in fuel economy brings it up to 18.8mpg, while CO2 emissions are down to 350g/km.

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