In the twilight of the internal combustion engine, two Italian titans have laid down their cards, each presenting a wildly different vision for the future of the V12 supercar. On one side, Ferrari celebrates the glorious, unadulterated past with the 12Cilindri. On the other, Lamborghini rockets into the future with the hybrid-powered Revuelto. This isn't just a comparison of cars; it's a battle of philosophies.
The Heart of the Matter: Purity vs. Progress
The soul of these cars lies in their twelve-cylinder engines, but they couldn't be more different in their execution.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri is a love letter to the naturally aspirated engine. It houses a magnificent 6.5-liter V12 that screams to an astonishing 9,500 rpm, producing 819 horsepower without a single turbocharger or electric motor in sight. This is the V12 in its purest form—a high-revving, orchestral masterpiece that delivers power in a linear, predictable, and utterly intoxicating wave. Ferrari's message is clear: the ultimate driving experience comes from an uncorrupted connection between driver, engine, and the road. It’s a celebration of heritage, a final, defiant roar of analog perfection.
The Lamborghini Revuelto, by contrast, is a technological marvel that embraces the future. It also features a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, but it’s augmented by three electric motors—two on the front axle and one integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The combined output is a staggering 1,001 horsepower. The Revuelto uses its hybrid system not just for efficiency, but for mind-bending performance. It offers instantaneous torque-fill, electric all-wheel drive, and even a silent, front-wheel-drive "stealth mode." Lamborghini argues that to preserve the V12, it must evolve. The Revuelto is the V12 re-engineered for a new era—more powerful, more complex, and more brutally effective than ever before.
Design Philosophy: Elegance vs. Aggression
Their visual identities are as divergent as their powertrains.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri is a masterclass in classic Grand Tourer design. Its long bonnet and cab-rearward silhouette are a direct nod to legendary front-engined Ferraris of the past, particularly the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The clean lines, the black "mask" panel across the nose, and the active aerodynamics that remain hidden at low speeds all speak to a philosophy of sophisticated, understated elegance. It's a car that is undeniably beautiful and aggressive, but in a tailored, sculptural way.
The Lamborghini Revuelto, true to its brand's DNA, looks like a fighter jet for the road. Every line is sharp, every angle is extreme, and the signature Y-motif is everywhere, from the headlights to the air intakes. With its mid-engine layout, exposed carbon fiber, and dramatic scissor doors, the Revuelto is pure theatre. It doesn't hint at its performance; it screams it from every vent and aero-fin. Its philosophy is one of shock and awe, designed to dominate the road and the senses.
The Driving Experience: The Conductor vs. The Weapon
While few have driven both, their on-paper specs and brand heritage paint a clear picture of two distinct experiences.
Driving the Ferrari 12Cilindri will be a visceral, sensory-rich event. Being rear-wheel drive, it promises a more traditional, purist handling dynamic. The driver will feel intimately connected to the car's balance and feedback. The star of the show will undoubtedly be the sound—the crescendo of that V12 climbing to 9,500 rpm will be an experience in itself. It’s a car for the passionate driver, the one who wants to feel every nuance of the machine on a winding mountain road.
The Lamborghini Revuelto promises an experience of sheer, overwhelming force. The combination of V12 power and electric torque-vectoring all-wheel drive will deliver physics-defying acceleration and cornering grip. It will be a precision instrument of speed, a digital weapon that makes its driver feel superhuman. The immediate punch from the electric motors will make it feel explosive at any speed, delivering a level of performance that is simply inaccessible to a purely internal combustion car.
Verdict: Two Paths to V12 Immortality
There is no "winner" here because these two cars aren't playing the same game. They are answers to two different questions.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri is for the traditionalist, the connoisseur who believes the soul of a supercar lies in the sound and feel of a naturally aspirated engine. It is the V12's magnum opus, a glorious celebration of everything we have loved about high-performance cars for the last century.
The Lamborghini Revuelto is for the futurist, the technophile who believes performance should be pushed to its absolute limit by any means necessary. It is the V12's survival guide, a bold and brilliant fusion of raw emotion and cutting-edge technology that secures its place in the electrified future.
Ultimately, the choice is yours: Do you want the V12’s final symphony or its first futuristic anthem? The wonderful truth is that in 2024, we are lucky enough to have both..
