Test drive a 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast near Huntersville, NC 

There are not many cars like the 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast left in the world. A naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 with no turbos and no hybrid assist, mounted in the front, sending 789 horsepower exclusively to the rear wheels. A redline near 8,900 rpm. A throttle response that feels nothing like a turbocharged supercar because, mechanically, it is nothing like a turbocharged supercar. If you have been looking for the chance to test drive a 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast near Huntersville, NC, what we have at McLaren Charlotte is one of the few opportunities in the Carolinas to experience this configuration of Ferrari before they fade out of the used market. 

Why the 812 Superfast Is Worth Driving 

Ferrari’s lineup has changed meaningfully since the 812 launched. Turbocharging is the rule. Hybridization is increasingly the rule. The replacement for the 812, the 12Cilindri, retains the naturally aspirated V12, but the 812 Superfast itself was the last model in that specific lineage of front-engine V12 Ferraris before the lineup moved on. A few things make the experience genuinely distinct: 

• The most powerful naturally aspirated production engine Ferrari had ever built at launch. 789 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, with the bulk of the powerband sitting where most modern engines have already shifted gears. 
• No turbos. No batteries. No hybrid. Throttle inputs translate directly to engine response, with no turbo lag and no electric-motor smoothing. This is the powertrain character a generation of younger drivers may never experience in a new car again. 
• Rear-wheel drive only. The 812 sends every one of those horses through the back axle. The Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 rear-steering system and Side Slip Control help keep the car composed, but this is not a four-wheel-drive supercar trying to mask its capability. It is a Ferrari that asks you to be present at the wheel. 
• First Ferrari with electric power steering. A noticeable departure from the hydraulic systems on the F12 and earlier cars. Some reviewers love it, some prefer the older feel. Driving the 812 yourself is the only way to decide where you sit on it. 

Specifications and Performance 

Specs verified against Ferrari’s published figures and independent testing. Confirm specifics on the VIN you are considering before purchase. 

What the 812 Superfast Is Like to Drive 

Numbers do not capture the experience. A few honest observations from the driver’s seat: 

• The V12 dominates everything. From idle, the engine is present in a way modern turbo V8s and V10s simply are not. Past 5,000 rpm, it goes from urgent to operatic. The red line is somewhere most drivers never see in a modern supercar. 
• Steering is fast, sometimes faster than you expect. The electric power steering combined with rear-wheel steering means the 812 changes direction more eagerly than a 211-mph V12 GT has any right to. It rewards smooth inputs. 
• Throttle response is the headline feature. There is no lag, no electric assist filling in the bottom of the powerband, no turbocharger taking a moment to spool. Press the pedal and the engine reacts immediately. This is the part of the 812 that feels unrecoverable as Ferrari’s lineup moves on. 
• Daily driveable, with caveats. Bumpy Road mode softens the suspension enough for most paved roads. The dual-clutch gearbox can shudder at parking-lot speeds. Storage is limited but adequate for a weekend. This is a GT car, not a track-only special. 
• Brakes deserve their own paragraph. Carbon-ceramic brakes give predictable, repeatable bite. They do not fade under hard street use, and they do not feel grabby in traffic. 

The 812 Superfast at Our Dealership 

The specific 2018 812 Superfast available at McLaren Charlotte has been carefully selected and inspected for our inventory. Build-sheet details, including exterior color and interior specification, mileage, optional equipment, service status, and any remaining warranty coverage, are available on request and provided to qualified buyers in advance of the visit. Vehicle history is documented through full Carfax/AutoCheck reports, and any available Ferrari service records are shared as part of the pre-visit material. Clean title and accident-free history are confirmed before the car is listed. 

How the Test Drive Process Works 

Test driving an 812 Superfast is not the same as test driving a luxury sedan, and we do not pretend otherwise. The process is designed to respect both you and the car. 

• By private appointment only. No walk-in test drives. We schedule each appointment so the car is prepared, fueled, and warmed up before you arrive. 
• Qualification conversation upfront. We ask about your driving background, current vehicles, and intent for the 812. This is normal practice across every reputable exotic dealer in the country, and it lets us tailor the appointment appropriately. 
• Chaperoned drive on a planned route. A dealership representative accompanies the drive on a route we have selected to give the car proper room to breathe. This is standard practice for cars in this category. 
• Time to actually use the car. The drive is long enough to get past the parking-lot phase, get the fluids up to temperature, and feel the V12 in its operating range. A two-mile loop does not tell you anything about an 812. 
• Discussion afterward. We sit down after the drive to walk through the car’s history, options, and pricing in detail. No pressure to commit on the same visit. 

Financing, Trade-Ins, and the Acquisition Process 

We work with finance partners experienced in exotic and collector vehicles, including specialty lenders and select private banks. Typical paths for clients acquiring an 812 Superfast: 

• Cash purchase with wire transfer is the most common route at this price point 
• Financing through specialty exotic-car lenders, with terms tailored to the asset class 
• Collection-secured lending against an existing portfolio for clients with multiple exotics 
• Trade-in appraisal for current Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsches, and other collector-grade vehicles 
• Out-of-state buyer support, including title and registration paperwork 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the 812 Superfast still in production? 

No. Ferrari stopped taking orders for the 812 Superfast and 812 GTS in early 2022, with limited Competizione and Competizione A variants following. The model has been succeeded by the 12Cilindri, which retains the naturally aspirated V12 in a new chassis and design language. That makes the 2018 812 Superfast a closed-production naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari, which is the framing that matters most to enthusiasts. 

Will the 812 Superfast appreciate in value? 

That depends on factors no dealer can guarantee: mileage, condition, options, color combinations, and broader collector trends. We will not forecast values for you. What we can say honestly is that closed-production naturally aspirated V12 Ferraris have historically held their value better than turbocharged or hybridized counterparts, and enthusiasts are paying close attention to clean, well-optioned 812 examples in the current market. Buy the car because you want to drive it, not as an investment. 

How does the 812 Superfast compare to the F12berlinetta? 

The 812 is the direct successor and a meaningful evolution. Roughly 60 horsepower more, larger 6.5L displacement, electric power steering for the first time, and Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 rear-wheel steering inherited from the F12tdf. Some F12 enthusiasts prefer the older car’s hydraulic steering feel; most reviewers consider the 812 the more capable and complete car. Both are great. They feel different from behind the wheel. 

Is the 812 Superfast a good first Ferrari? 

Honest answer: it depends on the driver. The 812 has 789 horsepower going to the rear wheels through a fast-steering chassis. It is a deeply rewarding car for an experienced driver, and it can also be a lot of car if you are coming directly from a sedan or SUV. We have sold 812s to first-time Ferrari buyers, and we have also recommended other Ferraris (488 GTB, California T, Portofino) to clients who wanted a more approachable entry point. We will give you our honest read on which fits where you are right now. 

What is the maintenance like on an 812 Superfast? 

Annual service through an authorized Ferrari facility (or qualified independent specialist) with manufacturer-specified intervals. Major services and parts cost what you would expect from a 789-hp Ferrari V12; budget accordingly. The 812 is a chain-driven engine (no timing belt to replace), which is one cost factor lower than older V12 Ferraris that used timing belts. 

Can I bring my own technician for a pre-purchase inspection? 

Yes, and we encourage it. Any reputable dealer should welcome an independent pre-purchase inspection at a Ferrari specialist of your choice. We will hold the vehicle, coordinate the appointment, and cover the drive to and from a local inspection facility within a reasonable distance of Huntersville. 

How quickly can I take delivery if I purchase? 

Typically, the same day or next business day for local buyers. For out-of-state buyers, we coordinate enclosed transport, paperwork, and home delivery, which usually completes within 3–7 business days depending on origin and destination. We do not rush the paperwork on a six-figure purchase. We do make it as smooth as possible. 

The Bottom Line 

The 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast is one of the last naturally aspirated V12 Ferraris of its generation, and the experience of driving one is becoming rarer with every model year that passes. Whether you are seriously considering acquiring this 812 or simply want to spend an hour with a configuration of Ferrari that may not exist in new production again, the test drive is the conversation we recommend starting with. 

Schedule a private test drive at McLaren Charlotte by calling (704) 248-0009 or completing our private appointment request form. We will confirm a time that works around your schedule, prepare the car, and walk you through the experience properly when you arrive.