STORM AND SYMPHONY, Test Driving the Ferrari 12 Cilindri Spider in Rain-Soaked Portugal
- Maqina Team
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Tarek Hawchar
Launching a new Ferrari always stirs emotion. But stepping into the latest V12 drop-top—the all-new Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, successor to the legendary 812 GTS—during a rainstorm in Portugal, adds a different flavor to that emotion: tension, thrill, reverence.
This isn't just a new chapter. It’s an evolution. One that dials up performance, design, and engagement while staying true to what makes a Ferrari V12 Spider so soul-stirring.
EXTERIOR
Despite the grey skies and constant drizzle, the 12Cilindri Spider looked like a beam of light from the future. Ferrari went back to the 1960s and 70s for inspiration, pulling cues from icons like the 365 GTB/4 Daytona and gave them a futuristic twist. The front end, with its masked headlamps and wide nose, feels like sci-fi nostalgia. It’s bold, it's clean, and it’s unmistakably Ferrari.
The Spider maintains the coupe’s elegant silhouette, even with the retractable hardtop, which opens or closes in just 14 seconds—though, during this wet drive, it remained firmly in place. With 21-inch wheels, a darkened roof section, active rear aero flaps, and its hunkered stance, it commands the road without trying too hard.
INTERIOR
While the interior features a traditional dual-cockpit layout, the dashboard houses three screens: a 10.25-inch infotainment display, a 15.6-inch driver display behind the steering wheel, and an 8.8-inch passenger's display.
Notable highlights include touch-capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, a 15-speaker Burmester sound system delivering up to 1600 watts, and standard comfortably sculpted seats, to name but a few.
Speaking of high-quality materials, the cabin is filled with premium leather, carbon-fiber trim, and contrasting stitching. The seats offer maximum comfort and excellent lateral support.
The all-new Ferrari 12 Cilindri Spider also boasts an impressive array of standard ADAS systems. These include the advanced electronic Slide Slip Control 8.0 (SSC 8.0), Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE 2.0), E-Diff, and Passo Corto Virtuale 3.0 (Virtual Short Wheelbase), as well as the innovative brake-by-wire ABS Evo system introduced in the 296GTB, among others.
PERFORMANCE
Portugal’s weather didn’t play nice. Roads were drenched. Grip was limited. But this made the experience more revealing—and more exhilarating. Ferrari’s newest front-mid-mounted V12 punches out 830 hp and 678 Nm of torque. It revs beyond 9,000 rpm, and every ounce of its power is sent to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
With 0–100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 340 km/h, the performance stats are jaw-dropping. But numbers fade into the background when you’re threading this machine through wet corners and trusting the brilliant electronics to keep it together.
Thanks to Slide Slip Control 8.0, Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer 2.0, E-Diff, and Passo Corto Virtuale 3.0, the Spider doesn’t just survive in the rain—it shines. Every system works in harmony to maintain grip, precision, and—most importantly—fun.
VERDICT
Most convertibles shy away from bad weather. But the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider doesn’t flinch. It’s not just a fast GT or a summer showstopper—it’s a thoroughbred Ferrari that earns its place with every rev, every corner, every drop of rain.
The 812 GTS left big shoes to fill. The 12Cilindri Spider doesn’t just fit them—it sprints in them.
“If this is the final era of naturally aspirated Ferrari V12s, then the 12Cilindri Spider is a breathtaking encore.”
FERRARI 12 CILINDRI SPIDER SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 6.5L Naturally Aspirated V12
Power: 830 hp @ 9,250 rpm
Torque: 678 Nm
Transmission: 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive: Rear-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h: 2.9 seconds
0–200 km/h: 7.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340 km/h
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport S5 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
Front/Rear Tires: 275/35ZR21 (F), 315/35ZR21 (R)