Watch: Ferrari 812 Superfast reviewed

It’s called the Superfast and it does exactly what it says on the red exotic-metal tin. It’s also called the 812, and that refers to the 800 metric horsepower under the bonnet coming from the V12 engine. We’re guessing the ‘Ferrari’ and ‘2017’ bits of the title aren’t causing you too much brain-ache.

This is the follow up to the limited-run F12tdf, which had 770bhp to the 812’s 789bhp, but which also had a somewhat wayward chassis as it tried to hustle those horses. While that was a limited-run model, the 812 Superfast is a full production car, except it also gets the F12tdf’s rear-steer system, the same vast front tyres and more power. Which ought to make it scary on road or track.

It’s certainly got an aggressive and loud engine note, one to definitely make the ears prick up. And the response to go with that noise is breathtakingly aggressive and hard, shockingly so. And yet it’s also capable of being a relative pussycat when the need arises.

This is all due not just to that fabulous V12, but to an absolute array of technology. The fact that the chassis feels natural and nimble and stable is testament to some brilliance on the behalf of the engineers. This could feel like a snake’s breakfast, with systems working against each other, but instead it’s a fine dining experience.