If the internal combustion engine were to have a final swansong before electrification fully takes over, the Ferrari 12Cilindri would be a fitting bearer of that mantle.
We recently had the opportunity to sample Ferrari’s latest flagship V12 grand tourer, the 12Cilindri. Known as the Dodici Cilindri in Italian, the model made its Malaysian debut in November 2024, with prices starting from RM 4.7 million including import duties and minimal options.
The Spider variant we experienced commands a higher starting price of RM 5.1 million, again with import duties and minimal options.
At the heart of the Dodici Cilindri lies a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine, designated F140HD. While it shares its lineage with the engine found in the 812 Competizione, Ferrari has extensively reworked the unit with lighter internal components and revised software to fully exploit the updated hardware.
The result is a staggering 830 PS at 9,250 rpm and 678 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm. In classic Ferrari fashion, the front-mounted V12 sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels, continuing the lineage of iconic front-engined V12 Ferraris such as the 550 Maranello and F12berlinetta. Unlike its predecessors, the Dodici Cilindri gets a new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Performance figures are equally dramatic. The 12Cilindri dispatches the 0–100 km/h sprint in just 2.95 seconds, reaches 200 km/h in 8.2 seconds, and storms on to a top speed in excess of 340 km/h.
Yet numbers alone do little to capture what truly defines the 12Cilindri. Its brilliance only becomes apparent from behind the wheel.
Our drive began in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, at the Ferrari Kuala Lumpur showroom located at Four Seasons Place. Even before setting off, the experience feels special. As opposed to Ferrari’s electrified models that default to silent electric propulsion, the 12Cilindri fires up all twelve cylinders immediately upon start-up, filling its surroundings with a mechanical symphony that is impossible to ignore.
In slow-moving traffic, the 12Cilindri proves to be surprisingly civilised. It behaves much like a modern C-segment saloon — refined, compliant, and easy to live with. The suspension is firm, as expected, but never uncomfortable, even over less-than-ideal Kuala Lumpur roads.
Where the 12Cilindri truly comes alive is when the roads begin to open up. With the roof down and space ahead, the experience becomes nothing short of sublime. Each surge toward the redline is met with an intoxicating crescendo from the V12, effortlessly hurling the car forward while delivering a soundtrack that defines Ferrari’s heritage. It is something that defies adequate description and must be experienced firsthand, be it as the driver or passenger.
The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission complements the engine beautifully. Shifts are lightning quick and immediate when driven hard, yet seamlessly fade into the background during relaxed driving, making the Dodici Cilindri equally adept in both spirited and everyday scenarios.
Handling is equally impressive. Ferrari’s Virtual Short Wheelbase (PCV) 3.0 and Side Slip Control (SSC) 8.0 systems work in harmony with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres to deliver exceptional grip and confidence. Even while keeping within sensible limits, the 12Cilindri demonstrated remarkable composure, sticking to intended driving lines with ease and confidence.
Steering response is sharp and precise, an especially welcome trait when maneuvering a coupe that measures over two metres wide through tighter city streets. Despite its size (and being a left-hand drive unit), the 12Cilindri never feels unwieldy.
Even from the passenger seat, the experience remains engaging. A dedicated passenger display provides real-time information such as engine revs and vehicle speed, while the unmistakable V12 soundtrack ensures the sense of occasion is shared by both occupants.
Not everyone will have the opportunity to experience the Ferrari 12Cilindri in person. But for those who do, it quickly becomes clear why Ferrari’s V12 deserves to live on — not as a nostalgic relic, but as a defiant yet passionate celebration in a world that’s increasingly moving towards electrification.
Ferrari 12Cilindri Photo Gallery
