Description

The Ferrari F512 M was the final evolution of Ferrari’s flat-12 supercar line, introduced in 1994 as the successor to the 512 TR. It marked the last time Ferrari would use the legendary flat-12 engine that had been a centerpiece of its flagship road cars since the Berlinetta Boxer of the early 1970s.

Mechanically, the F512 M retained the 4.9-litre flat-12, but it was extensively refined. With lighter internals, titanium connecting rods, and updated engine management, it produced 440 horsepower, allowing a top speed of 315 km/h and 0–100 km/h acceleration in just 4.7 seconds. The gearbox and suspension were also reworked for improved responsiveness, while the car was fitted with larger brakes to handle the extra performance. This gave the F512 M sharper handling and more precise road manners compared to its predecessors.

Stylistically, it departed from the familiar look of the Testarossa and 512 TR. The pop-up headlights were replaced with fixed units under clear covers, the front fascia was more rounded, and the tail received twin round lights in place of the horizontal light bar of earlier cars. These changes gave the car a more modern but also somewhat controversial appearance, as many enthusiasts felt the design lost some of the elegance of the earlier models. The interior was also updated, with more refined trim and improved ergonomics to bring it closer in line with Ferrari’s 1990s philosophy of combining performance with comfort.

Production of the F512 M was very limited, with only 501 units built between 1994 and 1996, making it the rarest of the Testarossa family. Its exclusivity, combined with its status as the last Ferrari to feature the flat-12 engine, has made it a highly sought-after collector’s car. While its styling remains divisive, the F512 M represents the ultimate performance development of Ferrari’s flat-12 era and serves as the closing chapter of one of the marque’s most distinctive lineages.