It’s gone, but it will never be forgotten.
Autocar has learned that the 812 GTO will be Ferrari’s last naturally-aspirated V12 car. This is, of course, sad news but it’s not surprising. It’s like a dog that you love and have gotten to know over the years. They are your best friend, and you cherish them. But deep down, you know that you will still be there for them after they pass. Ferrari V12 engine Ferrari cars will be available on the used market for many years to come. It’s up to the buyer to make the financial commitment to purchase one.
Because there are so many other important things going on in the world, it seems a bit selfish to talk about the death of an engine from an emotional perspective. This conundrum is compounded by the fact that whatever Ferrari produces in the future, it will be more powerful and faster than the current model.
We are left with the responsibility of keeping on top of something that is so much worse than it appears on paper, but we care deeply about. We are not preparing to send the engine, but the idea. To satisfy its customers, a supercar of high-end Italian design only requires a V12 engine.
This thought process has been around for 74 year and harkens back to 1947, when Ferrari first sold a V12-powered road car, the 125 S. But that’s about all there is. The 125 S was without a roof, and it couldn’t have imagined the number of computers that would be required to keep supercar drivers safe on public roads.
The world is changing. We cannot ignore the train of innovation that is all around us. Today, we are at a specific moment. Tomorrow, we will be somewhere different. Our appreciation and memories of the past are what will remain. While the Ferrari V12 may change, so will our appreciation for it.