2017 Ferrari 812 Spider Roadster. 1st generation
The Ferrari 812 Spider is a sports roadster that has been produced since 2019. The coupe version was released in 2017. The unique supercar has received the telling name ‘Superfast’, because, according to the Italians, it is the most powerful production car in the history of Ferrari. It takes 2.85 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km. The 2019 Ferrari 812 Spider is not only the most powerful but also the most versatile production roadster thanks to its retractable hardtop.
The main parameters of the Ferrari 812 are described in the name of the car. You just need to be able to read them correctly: the first number corresponds to the rated output of 800 ‘cavalli vapore’ (hp), and the number 12 corresponds to the number of cylinders. The rear-wheel drive 812 is Ferrari’s first 12-cylinder convertible and the first (since 1969 365 GTS4) Ferrari convertible with a front-engine layout.
Exterior
The 2019/2020 Ferrari 812 Spider Roadster features a retractable hardtop and has the same impeccably sparkling and elegant exterior as the coupe, but has two buttresses in the tail section that house the roof folding mechanism. Visually, this should evoke a shoot forward sensation. It’s hard to say if a sports car really feels like that, but it’s absolutely certain that the 812 is one of Ferrari’s most beautiful cars. In particular, the roadster features small elements in the upper part of the windshield that separate the rushing air stream and divert it to the tail. At the same time, it is not windy inside.
The two-piece hardtop folds down with a servo drive in 14 seconds at speeds up to 45 km/h. The electrically powered convertible top has made the car 75 kg heavier. As a result, the engineers had to modify and reconfigure the magnetorheological shock absorbers in the suspension. The rear window is installed vertically behind the seats and lowers regardless of the position of the retractable hardtop: it can be used as a windscreen when driving with the top down.
Interior
The Spider’s interior is completely identical to the Superfast coupe. However, when creating the interior of the roadster, engineers paid special attention to the acoustic comfort of passengers when driving at high speeds with an open top. Two L-shaped valves at the top corners of the windshield create a “concentrated vortex”, directing it over the electrically operated rear window and helping to control turbulence and aerodynamic noise.
The new Ferrari 812 Spider is spacious enough for two people, surpassing the Bentley GT, Porsche 911 Turbo, Rolls Royce Wraith or even the AMG GTC. The interior is characterized by ergonomic elements and modern design. Interestingly, the car comes without standard steering levers, which were replaced by control buttons (in particular, wipers and turn signals) on the spokes. This is done specifically to keep the driver’s hands on the steering wheel at all times. The sports car is equipped with a stereo system with six speakers, an integrated navigation system with voice activated function, a Bluetooth phone and Apple CarPlay (not suitable for Android). There is even a little storage space of 0.1 cubic meters, less than in the coupe (0.5 cubic meters), since this version needs space for the roof folding equipment.
Engine and transmission
The 2020/2021 Ferrari 812 Spider is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 830 hp, which transmits torque of 718 Nm to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The production convertible is not just fast, but superfast, since it is capable of accelerating to 340 km/h! Acceleration to 100 km/h takes only 2.85 seconds, but this is not the highest rate compared to competitors like the McLaren 720S, albeit a grandmaster. There is also a ‘weaker’ engine with the same 12 cylinders, the same displacement of 6.5 liters, but with the output of 800 hp. This option accelerates to the first 100 km in 3 seconds.
The dual-clutch transmission is capable of supporting harsh gear changes, and standard carbon-ceramic brakes confidently calm the temper of this beast. The steering system is incredibly responsive, while magnetic dampers provide comfortable everyday driving and reduce excessive stiffness in race mode.
Safety
The latest modifications of the Ferrari 812 Spider have not received an overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and are not burdened with an abundance of safety options, but instead offer such ‘advanced’ options as a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors. Although the one who drives such a car is hardly worried about their safety…
