The F12tdf’s design aims to balance the sculptural curves of the F12berlinetta with new aerodynamic features. The Aerobridge, made from bare carbon-fiber, exemplifies this intent by enhancing the car’s overall aesthetic with technically refined components.
The car’s sporty design is reflected in the minimalistic cockpit. The driving position features a wrap-around effect, enhanced by carbon-fiber housings for the instruments and satellite pods. The door panels are reduced to a single carbon-fiber shell, and the glove compartment has been replaced with knee padding.
Alcantara was chosen for the cabin trim instead of traditional leather, technical fabric was selected for the seats, and patterned aluminum was used for the floor instead of mats to reduce weight.

The engine’s performance is enhanced by a maximum torque of 705 Nm (an increase from 690 Nm) at 6,750 rpm, with 80% of this torque available at 2,500 rpm, ensuring consistent acceleration up to the red-line at 8,900 rpm. Several modifications have been implemented in this engine, including race-inspired mechanical tappets and variable-geometry intake trumpets, similar to those used in Formula 1 cars, which optimize volumetric efficiency at high revs.
The F12tdf features an F1 DCT with 6% shorter gear ratios, allowing for 30% faster upshifts and 40% quicker downshifts.

The car’s development has enhanced its sleek design and aerodynamic efficiency. The front bumper, with its scooped lower section and competition-inspired features, boosts downforce. Redesigned aerobridges improve airflow along the sides, while rear wheelarch louvres increase underbody efficiency.
A longer and higher rear spoiler, combined with a more vertical rake of the rear screen, maximizes downforce. Concave curvature of the rear luggage hatch enhances this effect. GT-racing derived strakes on the underbody contribute to a 30% increase in downforce compared to the F12berlinetta. The redesigned rear diffuser includes three active flaps and split channels with curved fences and vertical splitters to enhance flow expansion. This comprehensive aerodynamic redesign results in a significantly different car from the F12berlinetta.

The development team leveraged extensive experience focusing on producing exceptionally high-performance vehicles for non-professional drivers. Remarkable chassis dynamics, such as maximum lateral acceleration and responsiveness, are achieved in part by increasing the front tire dimensions from 255 to 275, along with the front channel size, which has been enlarged from 9.5” to 10”. This modification ensures higher lateral acceleration generated by the front axle; however, unaccompanied, it could result in oversteer at the limit, making the car more challenging for less experienced drivers.

To enable amateur drivers to fully utilize the vehicle’s performance capabilities, Ferrari developed the innovative Virtual Short Wheelbase system. This system was first introduced on the F12tdf, it integrates an active rear axle, allowing the rear wheels to pivot around a vertical axis.
Utilizing model-based control logic developed entirely in-house by Ferrari, the rear axle steering automatically adjusts the rear wheels, determining the optimal steering angle based on the steering wheel angle, speed of steering inputs, and vehicle speed.
The Virtual Short Wheelbase enhances the car’s responsiveness, imparting a sense of agility with instantaneous turn-in that is particularly noticeable on winding roads and technically demanding tracks. Concurrently, it significantly improves stability at high speeds.