Why the Ferrari 812 GTS Was Discontinued

The Ferrari 812 GTS was a flagship V12 convertible that captured hearts with raw power and old school character. Yet despite its performance and pedigree, Ferrari decided to discontinue it. The reasons go beyond sales numbers shifts in emissions regulations, the transition toward electrification, and Ferrari’s evolving product strategy all factored into the decision. Here’s what really led to the end of the 812 GTS era.

Ferrari 812 GTS

so yeah, apparently it’s gone. discontinued. poof. the last front-engine v12 convertible ferrari you could actually buy if you had, i dunno, $400k lying around (and a phone number of a dealer who actually likes you). i remember hearing that engine once, the scream, like actual thunder trying to escape a metal box. and maybe that’s why they killed it too soulful, too high-maintenance, too loud for the world we’re building now. emissions, regulations, electrification, blah blah. whatever. sometimes it feels like they stopped making cars and started making compliance forms.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

the ancestor of that madness. F12’s always been pure chaos. less brains, more boom. around $350k back in its day and worth every intense heartbeat. i saw one parked once, red because of course it was, and the heat shimmer coming off it looked alive. the cabin smells like old leather in a church — serious, timeless. i wonder if the 812 dying means this bloodline’s just… done.

Ferrari 812 Superfast

still remember the name made me laugh like some kid naming his Hot Wheels. but, wow, did it live up to it. around $350-400k when new, sharp edges and louder than it had any right to be. the gts was basically this but with a tan and messy hair. maybe ferrari wanted to save the drama for hybrids and leave this one as a memory. instantly classic, but yeah, already old news in their timeline.

Ferrari Roma Spider

i bet this one’s replacing the 812 gts in spirit, you know? smaller v8 now, twin-turbo, sleek face. $250k-ish. beautiful but kinda safe. i saw one in silver, top down, some dude with sunglasses who looked exactly like he’d say “ciao” before hanging up on you. sounds good, yeah, but doesn’t rumble. like the 812 could talk, this one just… purrs politely.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

the future apparently. hybrid, spaceship mode, $600k+ insanity. fast, obviously, but i feel nothing. no smell, no heat, no sweat when it starts. i saw one leaving a cars & coffee meet, silently gliding away, like it ghosted everyone. ridiculous speed but zero soul. i guess this is what kills v12s — efficiency. (gross word, really).

Lamborghini Aventador S

another one bowing out soon. the italian opera of combustion. about $420k when new, give or take, and every drive feels like a promise you’ll regret later. so loud you stop thinking. i once saw a yellow one in the rain and it looked stupid and perfect at the same time. ferrari’s discontinuing v12s while lambo’s still screaming them out like rebellion. respect.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

this is ferrari energy with a british accent. somewhere around $330k, heavy, beautiful, sounds like arrogance wrapped in velvet. i heard one rev once behind a café and literally spilled coffee on my sleeve the shockwave kinda vibrates in your bones. maybe ferrari’s quitting because they can afford to, while aston’s just trying to survive. funny how that works.

Mercedes-AMG SL63

mercedes kinda did what ferrari wouldn’t built a new front-engine convertible with absurd power (and a twin-turbo v8 obviously). around $180k if you behave with options. started it once at a dealership and the tailpipes barked so loud someone’s kid cried. i liked that. at least someone’s keeping things loud and messy.

BMW M8 Competition Convertible

feels like this giant couch that learned how to run. $160k-ish. crazy fast, too composed. smells like synthetic leather and wealth. i drove one for a few hours last summer and the exhaust was fake, through the speakers. (betrayal.) ferrari ending the 812 gts era just feels like more of that nonsense creeping in fake sound, fake thrill, fake everything, but hey, people don’t notice when they have apple carplay.

Dodge Viper (Because Why Not)

not a ferrari but kinda the spiritual opposite. america’s v12 dream translated into a v10 blunt instrument. costs like $90k used now, but it could make fancy italians cry on track. smells like gasoline and peer pressure. obnoxious in the most beautiful way. i miss cars like this and the 812 that just didn’t care if you lived or not.