Ferrari has revealed the F12tdf, a lighter, faster and more powerful version of the F12 Berlinetta that pays homage to the Tour de France road races of the 1950s and '60s which were dominated by cars like the 1956 250 GT Berlinetta.
Limited to just 799 units, the F12tdf is powered by the same 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 as the standard model but with power output now boosted to 770bhp and 71.89kgm of torque from the standard’s 719bhp and 70.37kgm of torque. The manufacturer claims that 80 percent of this torque is available from as low as 2500rpm and that the sprint from 0-100kph takes just 2.9 seconds.
Sending the power to the rear wheels in the F12tdf is a new version of the company’s dual-clutch automatic gearbox with shorter ratios. Braking duties are handled by single piece brake callipers as seen on the LaFerrari. The F12tdf also features wider front tyres than its standard sibling and a new rear-wheel steering system that the company calls Dubbed Virtual Short Wheelbase system which automatically adjusts the rear wheels for the optimum steering angle. The manufacturer claims that these two additions have made the car more stable at high speeds along with allowing for greater lateral acceleration.
Stylistically, the F12tdf gets an aggressive body kit which includes a longer and higher rear spoiler, larger air vents to channel air flow along the sides of the car, a redesigned rear diffuser and new wheel arch louvers.
This has resulted in the F12tdf generating 30 percent more downforce than the standard Berlinetta while the use of carbonfibre has shed weight by 110kg.
Inside, the cabin now gets Alcantara and carbonfibre trimming and the glovebox has been removed in favour of knee padding. Instead of floor mats, the car gets aluminium plates.
The F12tdf is expected to cost a significant premium over the standard F12 Berlinetta though official prices are yet to be revealed by Ferrari.