9 Aug 2024
Ferrari ends production of the SF90 and 812 GTS: don’t panic.
Ferrari ends production of the SF90 and 812 GTS: don’t panic.
News, Ferrari
Model range refreshes are inevitable, and the end is nigh for three of Ferrari’s flagship models. However, all is not what the headlines say, as Aaron Stokes explains.
Aaron Stokes
By
Images by
Ferrari Media Centre
Model range refreshes are inevitable, and the end is nigh for three of Ferrari’s flagship models. However, all is not what the headlines say, as Aaron Stokes explains.
Ferrari are beginning to wind down production on their older models, with some of the first cars on their respective platforms coming to the end of their production run. On the 812 platform, production of the GTS has ceased, with the 812 Competizione coupé and Aperta convertible the only variants continuing to be built for now. Fear not if you were unable to get allocation for an 812 Comp, as Ferrari has already revealed the model’s replacement in the form of the 12Cilindri in coupé and spider form.
However, if you are looking for a new SF90 it’s not quite good news. The SF90 does not yet have a replacement. This could be as the first few SF90XX Stradales and Spiders are only just beginning deliveries to their lucky owners. Traditionally, once a Versionale Speciale (VS - Ferrari-speak for limited edition) such as the XX is announced, it is a clear indicator that a new model is on the way, but this time round this may be a bit trickier to guarantee.
The culprit is the Ferrari 296, because with the 819 bhp from its hybrid V6 powertrain, the 167 bhp difference between it and the SF90 may not be too noticeable in day to day use. It can also be argued that the 296 is filling the same role as the F8 Tributo did, being a stopgap until the next generation of Maranello’s mid-mounted V8 supercar arrives.
There is also speculation that a facelift for the Ferrari Roma is on the cards. This follows a decline in production as it comes to the “end of its life lifecycle”, according to Ferrari themselves. Unlike other brands, Ferrari avoids giving their models a facelift in the traditional sense.
Harking back to the SF90’s predecessor will help explain; in essence, the F8 was an extremely facelifted 488, using the powerplant from the 488 Pista and borrowing aerodynamic cues, such as the S-duct. In turn, the 488 was a heavily revised 458 Italia. Clusters of related models have always existed in the Ferrari back catalogue, although the manufacturer sees each model as its own distinct entity.
It’s hard to believe that the Roma and the SF90 were announced back in 2019, and a five year production run without a facelift is a long time in the industry. However, Ferrari’s alternate strategy of introducing major updates to existing models, and then giving them a new name while using the existing chassis is a smart move. Why is this I hear you ask? It’s because developing a new chassis for a new model is costly, so extending the lifespan of each platform makes future developments easier and crucially, more profitable.
Alongside the Roma’s production winding down, the final 812-series model will be built in the coming months, seven years after the first iteration was shown. During this production run, Ferrari gave us the copué and convertible, along with one-offs and special editions such as the Omologata and the Monza speedsters.
Although the production runs of the 812 GTS, SF90 and Roma are reaching their end, this does not mean an end for high performance cars carrying the prancing horse in each of their respective classes. Think about it: would Ferrari really leave the segments that their most famous cars have consistently been the benchmarks in? I don’t think so either. All this news really means is that two brand new Ferraris must be just around the corner, as the replacement for the 812 has already been revealed…
Model range refreshes are inevitable, and the end is nigh for three of Ferrari’s flagship models. However, all is not what the headlines say, as Aaron Stokes explains.
Ferrari are beginning to wind down production on their older models, with some of the first cars on their respective platforms coming to the end of their production run. On the 812 platform, production of the GTS has ceased, with the 812 Competizione coupé and Aperta convertible the only variants continuing to be built for now. Fear not if you were unable to get allocation for an 812 Comp, as Ferrari has already revealed the model’s replacement in the form of the 12Cilindri in coupé and spider form.
However, if you are looking for a new SF90 it’s not quite good news. The SF90 does not yet have a replacement. This could be as the first few SF90XX Stradales and Spiders are only just beginning deliveries to their lucky owners. Traditionally, once a Versionale Speciale (VS - Ferrari-speak for limited edition) such as the XX is announced, it is a clear indicator that a new model is on the way, but this time round this may be a bit trickier to guarantee.
The culprit is the Ferrari 296, because with the 819 bhp from its hybrid V6 powertrain, the 167 bhp difference between it and the SF90 may not be too noticeable in day to day use. It can also be argued that the 296 is filling the same role as the F8 Tributo did, being a stopgap until the next generation of Maranello’s mid-mounted V8 supercar arrives.
There is also speculation that a facelift for the Ferrari Roma is on the cards. This follows a decline in production as it comes to the “end of its life lifecycle”, according to Ferrari themselves. Unlike other brands, Ferrari avoids giving their models a facelift in the traditional sense.
Harking back to the SF90’s predecessor will help explain; in essence, the F8 was an extremely facelifted 488, using the powerplant from the 488 Pista and borrowing aerodynamic cues, such as the S-duct. In turn, the 488 was a heavily revised 458 Italia. Clusters of related models have always existed in the Ferrari back catalogue, although the manufacturer sees each model as its own distinct entity.
It’s hard to believe that the Roma and the SF90 were announced back in 2019, and a five year production run without a facelift is a long time in the industry. However, Ferrari’s alternate strategy of introducing major updates to existing models, and then giving them a new name while using the existing chassis is a smart move. Why is this I hear you ask? It’s because developing a new chassis for a new model is costly, so extending the lifespan of each platform makes future developments easier and crucially, more profitable.
Alongside the Roma’s production winding down, the final 812-series model will be built in the coming months, seven years after the first iteration was shown. During this production run, Ferrari gave us the copué and convertible, along with one-offs and special editions such as the Omologata and the Monza speedsters.
Although the production runs of the 812 GTS, SF90 and Roma are reaching their end, this does not mean an end for high performance cars carrying the prancing horse in each of their respective classes. Think about it: would Ferrari really leave the segments that their most famous cars have consistently been the benchmarks in? I don’t think so either. All this news really means is that two brand new Ferraris must be just around the corner, as the replacement for the 812 has already been revealed…
AUTHOR
Aaron Stokes
Staff Writer
Photography by;
Ferrari Media Centre
Published on:
9 August 2024
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aaron Stokes
Staff Writer
Amateur photographer, self-confessed Aston Martin addict, and lifelong model car collector, Aaron has a keen eye on the future of the automotive world. He keeps his finger on the pulse by indulging in far too many YouTube reveal videos. Armed with a degree in Journalism, he’s now found his place in the writer’s seat, turning passion into prose.
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