Only Ferrari Utilized This Distinctive Engine Design

It’s difficult to find anyone unfamiliar with Ferrari. This iconic automaker has consistently captivated car enthusiasts with its unmatched commitment to crafting exquisitely engineered vehicles. Ferrari has also been a catalyst for many gearheads’ fascination with automobiles. Additionally, the Italian manufacturer has produced some of the most remarkable, high-performing, and melodious engines to ever grace the roads.

Ferrari has designed an array of automobiles and engines that could easily be described as extraordinary. Notably, the now-retired flat-12 engine springs to mind. While it might not be the conventional choice, it certainly was an unconventional one. Few people know much about it, and even fewer have experienced driving one. With this in mind, CarBuzz chose to honor this peculiar engine and the limited number of cars it powered.

The subsequent details regarding Ferrari’s flat-12 engine have been gathered from multiple sources, including Ferrari’s official media website and AutoData.net.

The Innovative Ferrari Flat-12

A Few Flat-12 Facts

• It was utilized in both racing and consumer vehicles.
• Its production spanned from 1963 to 1996.
• Ferrari remains the sole manufacturer to offer a flat-12 engine.

Typically, when mentioning horizontally opposed engines, one thinks of Subaru’s flat-four or Porsche’s renowned flat-six. The Ferrari flat-12, however, often escapes people’s radar, primarily because so few are aware of its existence. Due to its significant reputation for creating various V12 engines, Ferrari’s flat-12 tends to be overshadowed in the company’s history. Nevertheless, its distinctive nature and rich past merit recognition.

The tale of the flat-12 began in 1964, when Ferrari was developing a new engine for their forthcoming Ferrari 1512 Formula 1 car. Under the direction of Mauro Forghieri, the team succeeded in creating the world’s inaugural flat-12 engine, designated “Tipo 207.” This engine had a 1.5-liter displacement, 227 horsepower, and a maximum rev limit of 12,000 rpm. Interestingly, during the 1964 and 1965 seasons, Ferrari deployed two different engines: the 158 (a 1.5-liter V8) for tracks where agility was crucial and the 1512 for power-demanding circuits, such as Spa and Monza.

Throughout its 33-year production span, the Ferrari flat-12 was employed in both race cars and road vehicles. In total, eleven variations were produced, of which four were utilized in motorsports. By 1973, the flat-12 made its debut in a road car, the rather overlooked Ferrari 365 GT4 BB. This version of the engine, while not directly derived from the Tipo 207, was based on the Tipo 001, which had enjoyed some racing success from 1970 to 1974.

Subsequent iterations of the flat-12 followed, powering models such as the Testarossa and 512 BB. It was praised for its lightweight structure and willingness to rev, yet it fell short in terms of torque when compared to its competitors. The last usage of the flat-12 engine occurred in 1996 within the Ferrari F512 M, at which point the engine was retired.

Interestingly, while the Ferrari Testarossa’s value remained stable at around $150,000 over the past five years, a low-mileage version sold for over $200,000 at the 2024 Monterey Car Week, illustrating that the market can occasionally overlook exceptional products.

The Ins And Outs Of The Flat-12

Unsurprisingly, the flat-12 was a complex piece of engineering. Ferrari aimed to innovate and push boundaries, which is no simple feat. The primary benefit of the flat-12 engine lies in its reduced height compared to the conventional V-shape found in V8 or V12 engines. This design allowed for a lower mounting position within the vehicle, resulting in a better center of gravity.

The initial flat-12, the Tipo 207, was equipped with seven main bearings—three more than typically found in racing engines of the era —adding strength to its foundation. It included four camshafts and an aluminum crankcase, shedding weight. Additionally, cast iron cylinder sleeves were used for efficient heat management. In terms of race-day upkeep, components like the alternator, fuel pump, and injection pumps were conveniently positioned on top of the engine. Upon its introduction, the flat-12 was the most powerful F1 engine, although its torque band was not sufficiently broad to demonstrate a significant advantage over its competitors.

As the years progressed, the flat-12 expanded in size, but Ferrari managed to keep the weight down by utilizing advanced materials like titanium and magnesium. The earliest version had a mere 1.5-liter displacement, while subsequent racing variations, the Tipo 232 and Tipo 001, were increased to 2.0 liters and 3.0 liters, respectively. The final racing iteration, the Tipo 015, had a 3.0-liter displacement used during the 1979 season, after which it was replaced by the turbocharged Tipo 021 V6, marking the onset of the turbo era in Formula 1. Naturally aspirated engines were becoming increasingly noncompetitive.

In terms of road cars, they incorporated much of the F1-derived technology present in racing versions, alongside enhancements for improved driveability. The engine blocks were crafted from Silumin alloy, a special aluminum-silicon mix, contributing to lightweight without sacrificing their ability to withstand high temperatures. Additionally, a forged steel crankshaft and Borgo light alloy pistons were utilized to bolster the engine’s integrity while maintaining a low weight.

When questioned about the flat-12’s resemblance to the Porsche flat-six boxer engine, chief designer Mauro Forghieri clarified that it should not be labeled as a boxer. He explained, “Technically, it is correct to say that this engine is a flat-12, or has 12 cylinders with the heads at a vee angle of 180°. The distinction between this engine and a true ‘boxer’ lies in the fact that the connecting rods of each bank are coupled on the same crankpin, resulting in both pistons moving in the same direction. In a genuine boxer engine (like Porsche’s flat-six), the pistons move in opposing directions.” He made a valid point. You can listen to the sound of a Ferrari Testarossa at full throttle, and it resembles a V12 more than a conventional boxer engine.

By its sunset year, the Ferrari flat-12 evolved into a 4.9-liter, 440-horsepower supercar engine featured in the Ferrari F512 M. At this point, the engine was increasingly electronically regulated, with traditional components like carburetors and distributors replaced with direct fuel injection and coil packs.

Why Ferrari Axed The Flat-12

The automotive landscape often proves unkind to unconventional concepts. Nevertheless, the flat-12 engine maintained its place for an impressive 33 years—longer than most engines. Only the most reliable engines manage to achieve such longevity.

A key reason behind the flat-12 being phased out was its packaging issue. Cars equipped with this engine had to be relatively wide, which made models such as the Testarossa and F512 M challenging to maneuver through narrow European lanes. As the flat-12’s displacement increased for better competitiveness with other supercars, the issue of wide dimensions became even more problematic.

Federal regulations also played a significant role in the flat-12’s phase-out. With new emission restrictions implemented in 1995, the flat-12 engine became largely unviable for road cars. Rather than completely redesign the engine to comply with these standards, Ferrari opted to let it fade away. This was undoubtedly a disappointing choice, but it reflects the challenges automakers face in adapting to rapidly changing regulations, making the flat-12 just another victim of the evolving automotive landscape.