Skip advert
Advertisement

New Ferrari 812 Competizione 2021 review

We hit the track with the Ferrari 812 Competizione, the extreme version of the 812 Superfast

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your Ferrari 812 Superfast
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

The 812 Competizione is a force of nature. The engine is an event simply in itself, but it’s combined here with exploitable handling that makes this ultimate Ferrari immensely enjoyable to drive and surprisingly forgiving too, given the performance on offer. As Ferrari’s special series cars go, the Competizione is a wonderful way to celebrate its superb V12.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Even Ferrari isn’t immune to the onset of electrification, announcing it will build its first full EV in 2025. But until all of the iconic brand’s cars have to go electric, we’ll receive some special models as homages to the internal combustion engine that distil Ferrari’s knowledge when it comes to building pure-petrol-powered sports cars.

The 812 Competizione is exactly that, a limited-run, tuned and honed version of the already-ballistic 812 Superfast. It’s also available as an Aperta convertible and costs an eyewatering £446,970 before options. But even if you can afford one, you’re too late. They’re all already sold.

And you will want one, because the spec is mouthwatering. Ferrari’s 6.5-litre V12 has been uprated to 819bhp and features new titanium con rods, new pistons, a redesigned crankshaft and a new intake manifold.

The dual-clutch gearbox has been recalibrated for five per cent faster shifts and the independent rear-wheel steering has necessitated a new version of Ferrari’s masterful Side Slip Control set-up. The car is 38kg lighter than the standard 812 and its reworked body produces more downforce.

The Competizione is a physically imposing thing, too. Standing next to it is intimidating due to its sheer size, and the knowledge of that extraordinary power under that long bonnet. Once inside, it’ll be familiar to anyone who has driven the 812 Superfast, with its multifunction screens and large rev counter, although the gear selector is new. Alcantara seems to cover almost every surface, and where it doesn’t, carbon fibre enhances that hardcore vibe.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

EQA

2022 Mercedes

EQA

21,343 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £23,800
View EQA
CLA

2022 Mercedes

CLA

88,049 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £19,300
View CLA
M135i

2024 BMW

M135i

29,519 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £24,487
View M135i
A4

2022 Audi

A4

37,569 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £15,887
View A4

The engine erupts into life, dominating your thoughts. It’s responsive right from the off and pulls with urgency even at low revs, but hold your foot down and the acceleration becomes savage.

Even so, the big V12 has more to give, the note by now a high-pitched scream, and the speed building incredibly rapidly until it feels as though it simply has to burst. But it doesn’t, and only when the gearshift lights start blinking away on the top of the steering wheel, as the 9,500rpm rev limiter cuts in, do you grab the right-hand paddle and select the next gear.

Keep going like this and the Ferrari will hit 62mph in just 2.9 seconds; really letting the Competizione have its head is not something to be undertaken lightly.

Once you’ve grown at least a little used to the level of performance that’s on offer here, other aspects of the Competizione begin to come to the fore.

The steering is light, and very fast, but it doesn’t seem to make the car at all nervous, and the huge amount of grip available is soon obvious. The nose darts for the inside of a corner, but the rear of the car doesn’t feel like it wants to break free – at least, that is, until you put the power down a bit early, and then those previously sticky Michelin tyres are soon sliding.

Doing this isn’t as frightening as it sounds, at least at more sensible speeds, because the Competizione communicates so clearly to the driver what is happening, and much of this surprising friendliness must be due to that independent rear-wheel steering, plus the superb electronics.

The brakes also clearly have the power to contain the car, no matter how powerful it is. However, after the abuse they received on track there was some suggestion that they were beginning to struggle.

Model:Ferrari 812 Competizione
Price:£446,970
Engine:6.5-litre V12
Power/torque:819bhp/692Nm
Transmission:Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, rear-wheel drive 
0-62mph:2.9 seconds
Top speed:211mph+
Economy:TBC
CO2:TBC
On sale:Sold out
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,879 off RRP*Used from £16,058
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,606
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,500
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,675 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car finance firms losing "hundreds of millions” in EV depreciation want Govt support
Car and money

Car finance firms losing "hundreds of millions” in EV depreciation want Govt support

The BVRLA says the disparity in supply and demand for electric cars is resulting in weaker-than-expected residuals, which is costing firms millions
News
11 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: sacre bleu! New Renault 5 for just £229 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: sacre bleu! New Renault 5 for just £229 a month

It may be the most fashionable EV in town right now, but there are deals to be had on the Renault 5. It’s our Deal of the Day for 9 April
News
9 Apr 2025
Refreshed Renault Megane and Scenic get one-pedal driving and a price cut
Renault Megane E-Tech electric Esprit Alpine - front 3/4

Refreshed Renault Megane and Scenic get one-pedal driving and a price cut

Other updates for E-Tech pair include one-pedal driving and a vehicle-to-load adaptor to power anything from laptops to coffee machines
News
10 Apr 2025