New F12berlinetta is the Most Powerful and Fastest Ferrari Ever [Photos and Videos]

Maranello has blown the covers off the successor to its 599 GTB Fiorano and a direct opponent of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. The car was rumored to be called the F620 GT but as it turns out, we will come to know it as the new F12berlinetta.

Billed as the fastest and most powerful regular production Ferrari in history, the F12berlinetta sports a 6.3-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine that produces 730HP (740PS), which translates to a specific output of 116HP per liter. It also delivers a peak torque of 690Nm or 508.9 lb-ft, 80 percent of which is available at just 2,500 rpm, while it can rev up to 8,700 rpm.

The 12-cylinder unit is linked to an F1 dual-clutch transmission with close gear ratios that drives the rear wheels.

Ferrari says that the F12berlinetta accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62mph) in 3.1 seconds and from zero to 200 km/h (124mph) in 8.5 seconds en route to a top speed in excess of 340km/h (211mph+) adding that it also completes a lap of the Fiorano circuit in 1.23″, faster than any other Ferrari road car.

Even though it has 118-horses (!) more than the 612hp (620PS) 599 GTB Fiorano, Maranello claims a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption over the 599’s 16.7lt/100km and a significant cut in CO2 emissions, from 415g/km to 350g/km.

Measuring 4,618mm long, 1,942mm wide and 1,273mm tall, the new top Ferrari is 47mm shorter, 19mm narrower and 63mm lower than the model it replaces, while the Italian company said it rides on a shorter wheelbase, without announcing the precise figure.

The company said it has repackaged the rear suspension and gearbox to make the rear volume of the car smaller.

Ferrari’s partner Scaglietti, assisted the company in designing the an all-new spaceframe chassis and bodyshell using 12 different kinds of alloys, which helps keep the car’s weight down to 1525kg (3,362 pounds). That’s 70kg (154 pounds) less than the 599 despite a 20 per cent increase in structural rigidity. The weight distribution is 46:54 (front:rear).

The F12berlinetta will be offered with the latest generations of carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E) as well as a variety of electric aids (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and a high-performance ABS).

The design of the Italian supercar is the work of result of the collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina. The company claims that downforce has been improved by 76 percent (123 kg at 200 km/h or 124mph) while drag has been reduced to Cd 0.299, thanks in part to the active aero parts such as the Aero Bridge that uses the bonnet to generate downforce at the front by channeling air away and the Active Brake Cooling ducts.

As for the interior, Ferrari says it has optimized the cabin to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats.

The new front-engined supercar from Ferrari will receive its world premiere at next week’s Geneva International Motor Show but don’t expect sales to begin before the end of the year, or possibly even in early 2013 for certain markets.

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