Similar to most car manufacturers, Ferrari is gradually transitioning to electrify its vehicle range. As emission restrictions become stricter and future regulations are set to prohibit internal combustion engines, all car manufacturers are moving toward electrification, and Ferrari is following suit. Despite this shift, the magnificent sound of a Ferrari V12 engine is not extinct yet. Maranello is currently preparing a substitute for the 812 Superfast, and it was recently spotted testing all twelve cylinders under the camouflage of a Roma.
This undercover footage from Varryx showcases what appears to be a Ferrari Roma test prototype, enveloped in heavy camouflage, flexing its muscles in public. While the exact engine housed under that lengthy hood remains unknown, the distinctive sound alone indicates that it is not the Roma’s twin-turbo V8.
The driver of this experimental Ferrari raises the hood at the beginning of the video, revealing a glimpse of the vibrant red valve covers on what appears to be a substantial powerplant. Despite being challenging to discern due to the distant and zoomed-in footage, the engine seems larger than a typical V8. Subsequently, as the driver gives it a few brief bursts of acceleration, the distinctive roar of a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 becomes unmistakable.
Presently, any potential power figures remain purely speculative. Undoubtedly, it will deliver more power than its predecessor, the Ferrari 812 Superfast, which boasts 789 horsepower. There are speculations that it may incorporate hybrid technology to achieve this. It is entirely possible that we may witness a hybridized version of the 812’s 6.5-liter V12 engine producing well beyond 800 horsepower. However, it might necessitate all-wheel drive since Ferrari is already pushing the limits of rear-wheel-drive power handling capabilities.
Rumors suggest that Ferrari might unveil the successor to the 812 later this year, with production expected in 2024. With ongoing stringent emissions regulations, notably in Europe, there exists a possibility that the V12 engine featured in this video could be the final Ferrari V12 ever constructed. This fact makes it special, yet it also invokes a sense of melancholy.
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