Jeremy Clarksons long awaited test of the F12. Unfortunately, you have to fast forward through the first 4 segments of the video till part way through the 5th to get to the test. (If you are on a reasonably fast connection, you can just drag the cursor at the bottom of the page across and skip entire 10 minute segments). In summary, he says it is mesmerizing, and spectacular, BUT he would like it better if it had a bit LESS power !!!?! Bloody hell, I am going to like this car! PS: 2 weeks, two days, nine hours, 14 minutes, 39 seconds till my car is scheduled to be finished at the factory  Top Gear Season 20 Episode 2
I think he was actually right in saying it is all pretty frantic. Forget his repetive rubbish about the indicators etc being on the wheel, the fact is the car is so quick, the steering so sharp that everything does happen in a real hurry. Answer, just drive slower.
Exactly what i said to myself when i watched that part. I felt the same way after my drive in the Enzo and knew the problem was me and not the car.
Speaking of pretty frantic...will he have any different conclusion about LaFerrari which has more power and less weight to haul around? The F12 already seems to be the ultimate real 'useable' ride. CH
Did they post a time on the test track? I must have missed it if they did but they did have one in the hanger at the end of the show
No. No test track numbers. I have not driven one, but I would love to. It almost sounds like he was complaining of sensory overload.
Did they ever record a 458 time? It may be Ferrari prohibit it which would not surprise me as they like to do any timing in very controlled conditions.
I believe Top Gear did a 458 lap time before. I know there are plenty of other ferraris on the board including the 430, 430 scuderia and enzo.
But those are all old cars and Ferrari does not care about them. They don't want to risk seeing the F12 slower than the Aventador just because the tyres were wrong or it was too hot. They only like tests like this when they can field an entire set up team.
Most likely, although it is hard to imagine how it could be slower than an Aventador, given it is much lighter, more powerful, has a better transmission, and seems to be a better handling car. I don't think they have much to worry about.
Neither do I, but the Aventador was just an example. They would be concerned against the Mclaren and others.
True. Although I see the F12 as having the potential to be either the fastest car they've had or in the top 3 at least.
Yes. Go to 7:59 of the video. It was 1/10th of a second behind the Enzo.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgKjp1pq7iI I bet the F12 would put down an impressive time, but their track is pretty tight and I think that helps the AWD competition. And thank you Joe for the video!
They did in fact test the 458 a few seasons ago, and when they tested the Mclaren, it was something like 5 or 6 seconds faster then the 458 around the track. Many people chalked that up to the mclaren being developed on the top gear track but.....6 seconds is alot. Probably after that whole fiasco, Ferrari decided to not let top gear clock any of their cars until their model production is close to an end.
It was 2.9 seconds, not 6, plus The Mp4-12C was wearing semi slicks. Ferrari have no issue giving TOP GEAR an F12 to test on track. In fact Ferrari gave TOP GEAR a 599GTO to test on track after the 458 episode and track time. However, those expecting a top three time will be disappointed the fastest real time on the board was done by the B A C Mono at 1:14.3 Pagani used hand cut full slicks to get it's time. The point being the F12 will not get anywhere near a 1:14.3. Nor should anyone be surprised by that.
Clarkson's review isn't much different than mine. If you listen to the sound, the engine sounds exactly like a 60's F1 car. And, it makes sense as it's 12 cylinders and about the same rev range for the period. I also said it does not feel big either when you get into it or when you drive it. It's very much like a 458 inside only with a nicer/ better detailed interior. You never get the idea it's a "big" car when going around other cars or parking. But, it's a heck of a lot more faster than the 458 in any gear and at any time. The steering he complains about is exactly like the 458. Perhaps with the additional power, it feels switchy but I just thought it was awesome. My big complaint with modern super cars is also similar. From a daily driving point of view, they are ridiculous. You can't get 10% of the performance out of them unless you want to be locked up or without insurance FOREVER. No one complains about the Veyron or McLaren F1 and those do 250+. But, I suppose they aren't really daily driver cars where the F12 absolutely can be. BTW: I like the steering wheel buttons but I would put the wipers on a stalk.
They probably cared just as much about their older cars when they were new, as they do about the F12 now.
Those wanting a lap time will probably get one in the next episode. TG has done this before when a segment butts up to the end of the show.
No, I mean that Clarkson is complaining it's too fast and would be better with less power. The Veyron is worse (aka faster with more power) and he doesn't complain about that. I do agree you can't use these things at 10% of their potential on city streets. It's the classic hitting a tack with a sledgehammer.
I think the F12 is a gentlemen's cruiser. It is a beautiful car. The 458 is more of a boyracer, little bit silly to be in one if you are older. F12 is really one of the best Ferrari's of all time and I think this is the last NA V12 without hybrid we will ever see.
