The Gentleman Magazine Issue 3 | June/July | Page 36

The dams create a ground effect by generating powerful
vortices and reducing the wake from the wheels to the absolute
minimum, further boosting the flat underbody’s downforce
generation capabilities.
Unlike their F12tdf counterparts, the dams have new blowing
slots which, by reducing overall pressure on the front side of
the dams, boosts their efficiency, with the result that, despite
the downforce generated remaining the same, drag introduced
in the area is cut by 15%.
Because of the powerful suction created by the rear spoiler,
the rear diffuser has been completely redesigned to enhance
its extraction power. Firstly, the diffuser’s trailing edge now
features a wing in a deep recess created in the bumper. Air
flows from both the lower and upper surfaces strike the
splitter which extends across the entire width of the diffuser,
boosting the downforce generated by the latter by 12%. Since
the rear diffuser is one of the main contributors to downforce
generation and the resulting drag, it has also been given a
system of three active flaps which rotate to a 14° angle in the
minimal drag configuration to completely stall the diffuser,
thereby significantly reducing overall drag.
Design Exterior
Designed by Ferrari Design, the new 812 Superfast redefines
the formal language of front-engined V12 Ferraris’ proportions
without altering either its exterior dimensions or interior space
and comfort. Seen in silhouette, the 812 Superfast has a fastback
sleekness: a two-box design with a high tail reminiscent of the
glorious 365 GTB4 (Daytona) of 1969, visually lowering an
aggressive rear spoiler designed to guarantee downforce. The
draped design of the flanks visually shortens the tail and is
characterised by sharply slanted crease lines and impressively
muscular wheelarches that imbue the 812 Superfast with the
power and aggression warranted by its imposing V12.
36 | The Gentleman Magazine
Full-LED headlights integrated into the design of the sculpted
air intakes on the bonnet also emphasise that front muscle,
integrating with, and wrapping around the front wheelarch.
The 812 Superfast’s sumptuously sculptural, three-dimensional
flanks are characterised by a striking vent behind the front
wheels designed to suck high- pressure air from the wheelarches
and then channel it along the doors.
The rear diffuser includes a suspended splitter that increases
the diffuser surfaces by turning them into bi-plane wing,
allowing the air to be drawn between the lower diffuser and
the splitter.
At the rear, four round tail-lights inspired by Ferrari tradition
emphasise a design crafted around horizontal lines and give
the 812 Superfast a broad, imposing stance, visually lowering
both spoiler and the very compact cabin without, however,
sacrificing its space or that of the boot.
Interior
The cabin has been radically redesigned to imbue it with an even
sportier character. Light, compact volumes hug the contours of
the interior structures to the extent that the latter are visible in
certain areas. These ultra-taut surfaces are deliberately layered
and broken up to create voids with the result that the main
elements seem to float.
The overall effect is both thoroughbred racing eagerness and
lean elegance that never feels overstated.
The horizontal dash loops stylishly around the central air vents
for a sophisticated, sculptural, yet supremely stylish look that
is also a nod to the LaFerrari’s cockpit. An additional air vent
also allowed the designers to lighten the look of the dash still
further by creating a “cleft” in the central section that further
emphasises the fact that metallic elements stretch out into the
upholstered volumes.