Ferrari reveals new limited edition special series F12tdf

You wouldn't think the Ferrari F12berlinetta needed a performance boost, but Ferrari has given it one anyway: introducing the limited edition F12tdf, which pays homage to the Tour de France, the legendary endurance road race that Ferrari dominated in the 1950s and 60s.

Keeping the same 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 as the F12berlinetta, Ferrari has upped the power from 719bhp to 770bhp, and torque from 690Nm to 705Nm, of which 80 percent is already available at 2,500rpm.

Numerous modifications have been developed for the engine, starting with the use of race-inspired mechanical tappets and variable-geometry intake trumpets used on Formula 1 cars. The F12tdf is also equipped with a version of the F1 double-clutch transmission (DCT).

Ferrari's newly developed Virtual Short Wheelbase (VSW) system also makes it debut on the F12tdf, with an active rear axle that allows the rear wheels to pivot around the vertical axis. The VSW improves the car's responsiveness, making it more agile and improves stability at high speeds.

The aerodynamics have also been significantly tinkered with, and the new car's aerodynamic efficiency figure is almost twice that of the F12berlinetta. At the front, a highly complex bumper contributes to downforce generation, whilst the rear diffuser has been completely redesigned and now sports a system of three active flaps. A combination of other aerodynamic features creates a radical aerodynamic design work that marks a major stylistic departure from the F12berlinetta.

The interior is also deliberately spartan in line with the car's uncompromsing sportiness. Carbon fibre housing is used for the instruments, the door panels are a single carbon fibre shell, and knee padding takes the place of the glove compartment. Alcantara, rather than the traditional leather, was chosen for the cabin trim, technical fabric for the seats and patterned aluminium instead of mats for the floor, once again with the aim of saving every last ounce of weight.

The F12tdf is described as "the ultimate expression of the concept of an extreme road car that is equally at home on the track", and just 799 examples will be built.