Start all peaceful and traditional. Model, as usual, presented a “sports car of the new generation.” Explained that this is a coupe with V12 layout, rear-wheel drive and seven-speed robotized gearbox “Getrag”. Added that in the hierarchy of modern road “Ferrari”, it takes place very fast and perfect model, even though it was so obvious to anyone who took the trouble to look into the passport data and graphs opposite the “power” to see strong 740 hp.
And the word is passed to the engineers who in the “Ferrari”, probably all possessed. We were shown already 68 th in a row slide with graphs and charts, another lecturer succeeds a previous one, and an avalanche of technical information was not the end …
On their bellies
The streets of Maranello, however, quickly returned to earth. “F12berlinetta” not one of those cars that cause a desire to go to a walking pace, lazily poryavkivaya to onlookers and concentrating on the admiring glances. In the stream of this car transport awkward because the two-meter width and flat elongated nose strongly felt in size. Mirrors are low and give an unusual angle. Of course, any extreme, low-slung supercar takes some getting used, but here even after adjustment should be extremely careful. For example, instead of the lever turn signals this “Ferrari” – buttons on the steering wheel hub, which sometimes is “lost” by starting the maneuver.
But, frankly, I was expecting the worst. On such machines, it is with the accelerator must be treated very respectfully and with the steering wheel because of its severity and the proximity of the end positions … In “F12berlinetta” similar problems I discovered. He turns in tight corners just in one go. On the slopes it holds recoil system. V12 is at low speed provides powerful traction and responds to gas without question.
Hold on tight
2.06 kg / hp. – Tells you something of such value? As the ratio of the mass-to-power “F12berlinetta” approaching sportbike! Only one chassis welded and riveted from 12 different alloys, get 20% stiffer and 50 pounds lighter than its predecessor “599 GTB”. Hence – to disperse on three hundred and two hundred – in 8.5 (!) Seconds.
Acceleration “on the floor” at first like a bailout. If you do not pull over to the anatomical-back bucket seats, the injury is provided. But in the next second knurl more thrills: because irrepressible longitudinal overload of hands streaked with blood, vision experiencing “tunnel” effect. And I thought it was just a journalistic cliche …
I remember being surprised by the choice of gear ratios for the box “F12berlinetta”. In supercars advocates in the transmission and shift them to higher speeds, and here the first four steps of strongly shifted towards malyh.Inzhenery “Ferrari” is explained as follows. CONVERGENCE series is good for racing cars, which almost does not have to slow down on the ring roads below 80-100 km / h But after the road car range starts from scratch, it needs other settings. And thanks to them “F12berlinetta” and wins the linear acceleration is not as much as his strength! Even in the shift points are no failures traction – “software” that controls the “robot” with two clutches, carefully checked with the engine management software to work seamlessly. “Jerks when changing gears, which are usually associated with sports mode – is to tickle nerves amateurs” – believe in the “Ferrari”.
More on … presentation meticulous journalists several times asked to explain the main dvigatelisty “Ferrari” demonstrated they are the sonograms, which slanted lines depicting motor harmonics. The essence of it is this. At low speed the internal gas dynamics in the motor proceed calmly – V12 even publishes noise. Untwist it to 3.000-4.000 / min, and the sound is cut dissonant threatening in nature the third harmonic, which works as a warning siren – the motor on edge! At 5.000-6.000 it is mixed calls as was the sixth harmonic – a signal that the motor reached the peak of its torque. And if you now dozhmete gas to 8.000-8.500 rpm, you will hear no howling piston engine, and a red-hot rocket jet.
This sound was once shocked me by “FF”. And here it is even more acute, more expressive and informative – even watch the tachometer is not necessary.
Even faster?
Have become an integral feature of “Ferrari” manetinno handle on the steering wheel, which selects one of the dynamic modes. The first “Wet” serves as a standard. In this position, sequential gearbox “F1-DCT” and active differential “E-Diff” switch to a delicate operation, and system-collars represented Traction control “F1-Trac” and Electronic Stability Program – on the contrary, in the strictest. Becomes softer and suspension with magnetorheological dampers. It, by the way, used the latest generation of solenoids with double coils, which provide a better response (5 ms), more effort and control range. But even with the “wet” setup “F12berlinetta” can suddenly jack up the pace with the 90-100 to 250-270 km / h What can we say about the mode “Sport”, designed for dry roads, and military “Race”, which insures electronics slightly relaxes control …
The faster the car, the more urgent the brakes. A feeling that “F12berlinetta” they start working, even then, as soon as there is an idea to move your foot on the brake pedal. Italian experts claim that they have managed to reduce the stopping distance from 200 km / h to 131 meters – is ten meters shorter than the “599 GTB”. Only through the system, which reduces the already negligible gap between the pads and the disk to zero, they were winning two meters. The other eight – the merit of the new carbon-ceramic brake discs and reinforced supports, does not lose efficiency as the temperature increases.
Position of “Race” mode dial to manetinno not end. The handle can be turned to the right: one click – “CT OFF”, two – “ESC OFF”. But the most extreme test functions for which respectively Traction control off and the whole electronics fears, I left a dessert for the test track “Ferrari” in Fiorano.
By the house of Enzo
- First time here? – This question duty test driver “Ferrari”, probably gives to everyone is wheeling around the track for review.
- No, I went there, – I answered.
- Oh, so you know the track? – Italian smiles and then adds gas. – Then ride as it should. You know that “F12berlinetta” is the track three seconds faster than the “599 FTB”? ..
- The second, third, fourth, third, second, second, fourth, third, – pronounces himself once again a sequence, shifting the wheel. It is – the transmission in each turn.
Usually the first round or two is not going “down” and “eyes” – were shot to turn, looking outside. But now – just in a fight! Stagnation point will not fly – they are visible on the dark trail. Visits, apexes and exits familiar … I put a 740-strong coupe on track with a clear plan: First round mode “Race”, then turned off traction control, and a third – all without electronics.
Surprised that the difference is not as great as I expected. In “Race” electronics-slip, and in the “CT-OFF” at disrupting the rear axle can quite easy to catch. And for this is to say thank you build. In “F12berlinetta” within the wheelbase all shifted back: transmission, cockpit, engine … The latter generally lies entirely behind the front double suspension arms. So huge rear tires size 315/35R20 loaded properly, they account for 54% of the mass.
… From the second round the last corner I managed to get clean, at the limit of the acceleration. Continued to grow in the course of “the floor”, I click on manetinno “ESC OFF”, fast passed under the bridge, past the box at home and Enzo … to my horror realize that with the speed at which I was able to develop, slow to earlier, even on fast bends before the first corner, and not after it. And I was just turned off to spite all the “guardian angels” …
“F12berlinetta” not even pulled the stern, when the brakes I had to change the trajectory. Fantastic stability! And kept me on the pavement at that speed, it seems, sly aerodynamics of the car. “Aeromost” front exhaust air from the high pressure in front of the windscreen in the area of vacuum on the sides. But even wiser arranged hidden from the eyes of the system behind the rear wheels. Inside the body there are channels up, the air is pumped out of the bottom. They, along with the traditional car rear diffuser provide additional 123 kg of downforce at high speed. And it is – without retractable wings and spoilers!
- Looks like this thing works exactly as we were told, and – share impressions after arrival, showing the channels in the rear wing.
- Of course, the works – I support one of the engineers – Do not you see how many leaves there with a road sucks?
Well, as always! Then you risk not know why, but should simply be more observant …