Video: New Ferrari ‘V12’ prototype flat-out at Fiorano

Our confusion is due to the fact that this is evidently a Ferrari Roma – famously powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine – making very identifiable V12 noises. Either Ferrari has some ambitious engine swap plans for future versions of the Roma – unlikely – or this is our first taste of its next-generation flagship super GT, due to take over from the 812 SuperFast next year.

Indeed, history tells us that two years on from the introduction of a limited-run special, the series production replacement for the car on which said special was based will follow. Going back to the 599 GTO in 2010, the F12 followed in 2012. Likewise with the introduction of the F12 TdF in 2015, the 812 followed in 2017. Given the 812 Competizione was introduced in 2021, all signs point to 2023 for the debut of a new V12 GT, of which we believe this Roma mule could be a prototype.

There is a third option, however, involving this prototype indeed being a Roma, using a version of the 296 GTB’s new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine. It has after all been christened ‘little V12’ by Ferrari’s own engineers because of the way it sounds. We’re not sure it sounds that V12-ey, mind…

Adding believability to the theory, though, is the fact that this Roma mule doesn’t appear to have been hacked and jacked. It’s just a Roma. Usually, mules for future cars that wear the looks of existing models aren’t quite so clean. The question there is does the Roma even have space for a V12? If not and this is the V6, then we could be looking at a Roma M (modificata), or something to that end. Which do you think it is?