Performance Review: Ferrari 512 M - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 512 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 512 M is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular Ferrari 512 has a 4942cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F12's includes the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR

The 512 shares its Petrol F12 engine configuration with the likes of the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR and the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 512's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1455 kgs (3207 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 512 M in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 512 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (455 bhp)

In terms of power the 4942cc 48V F12 engine produces 440 bhp (328 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (455 bhp) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (454 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F12 throws out 368 lb-ft (498.9 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 512 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (327.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 512.

The Ferrari 512 has a Power to weight ratio of 302.4 bhp per ton and 252.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 512 competing with the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (327.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (327.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 512 generating around 252.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (277.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 (277.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the Ferrari 512 M as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This Ferrari 512 M is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 512 and the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 512 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.18 secs @ 112.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (12.12 secs), the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo (12.12 secs), and the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (12.12 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Ferrari 512 M has a maximum speed of 196mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 512 equals the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 Ferrari 512 M then how about the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph), the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (207 mph), or the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (207 mph).

Related Links:

1994 512 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison