2015 Ferrari F12tdf 'Pre-Series'

Launched at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show, the Ferrari F12berlinetta became the standard bearer for the front-engined, V-12 powered grand tourers that had—since the 1960s—played such a significant role in building the Maranello legend. The model’s most powerful expression, the fearsome F12tdf—named for its illustrious Tour de France-campaigning Ferrari forebear—arrived just three years later.

The F12tdf featured many improvements over the already technologically advanced F12berlinetta. Its 6.3-litre V-12 was further tuned to produce 780 PS, making it the most powerful roadgoing Ferrari to leave Maranello—with the notable exception of the LaFerrari.

The firm’s mid-engined flagship donated its carbon ceramic discs and one-piece callipers to help rein in the F12tdf’s immense power, a cause aided by a crash diet and extensive use of carbon fibre, which helped shave 110 kilograms from the berlinetta’s kerb weight. Shorter gear ratios made for quicker gear changes, while handling was augmented by four-wheel steering—a first for any Ferrari road car.

Visually, the F12tdf was more aggressive than the standard berlinetta, with wider sills and an “Aerobridge” that directs airflow along the sides of the car. And the styling wasn’t just for show: the redesigned wing and active rear diffuser contributed to a mammoth 87 per cent increase in downforce. Combined with its immense power and lightweight body, the F12tdf became one of the fastest road cars Maranello had ever produced, with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just 2.9 seconds and a scintillating top speed of 340 km/h. Such is the level of engagement and driver involvement that Top Gear’s Chris Harris famously described the F12tdf as being “not so much a car as a Class A substance”.

As part of the development process, Ferrari produced chassis 213666, a “Pre-Series” example that was used by Maranello “for all important pre-production activities such as homologation tests”. Finished in striking Giallo Triplo Strato over a Nera Alcantara interior, this significant Ferrari was placed into storage following completion of the F12tdf project. There it remained until 2018, when the car was purchased by the current owner directly from the factory. Prior to leaving Maranello, Ferrari completely refurbished the car to bring it to production standards. Following the work, the car was exported from Italy and entered the current owner’s private collection. The odometer reads just 7,810 kilometres at the time of cataloguing.

Today, chassis 213666 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a “Pre-Series” example of a modern Maranello legend—a machine that played a vital role in the development of Ferrari’s flagship V-12 supercar.