Ferrari has unveiled an extraordinary one-off 12Cilindri, pushing the boundaries of its esteemed Tailor Made program. This unique supercar, specifically designed for the South Korean market, represents a remarkable fusion of Italian automotive excellence and Korean artistic expression. The project, which spanned nearly two years, brought together a diverse group of talents from three continents, resulting in a vehicle that is as much a work of art as it is a high-performance machine.
Ferrari's Artistic Collaboration: A Detailed Look at the One-Off 12Cilindri
The bespoke Ferrari 12Cilindri is a product of an innovative collaboration that united four prominent South Korean artists—Daehye Jeong, Hyunhee Kim, the duo GrayCode and Jiiiiin, and TaeHyun Lee—with the Ferrari Styling Center in Europe and the creative network of Cool Hunting in North America. The entire endeavor was meticulously guided by curator JaeEun "Jane" Lee, alongside Ferrari's design and development teams.
At the heart of this creation is the exclusive Yoonseul paint job, a captivating iridescent finish that draws inspiration from traditional Korean aesthetics. This specially developed color transitions elegantly from green to purple with subtle blue undertones, mirroring the enchanting shimmer of sunlight on the sea, a phenomenon known as "Yoonseul" in Korean. This distinctive exterior hue provides a visual narrative that links classic Korean art, particularly Celadon ceramics, with the vibrant, modern energy of Seoul.
Inside the cabin, the artistry continues with significant contributions from textile artist Daehye Jeong, a recipient of the prestigious 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. Jeong's internationally acclaimed handwoven horsehair technique has been adapted to create a pioneering three-dimensional fabric, marking its debut in a Ferrari vehicle. This innovative material graces the seats, floor, and various other interior surfaces, offering a tactile and visually rich experience. Furthermore, an original handwoven artwork crafted from Mongolian horsehair is permanently integrated into the dashboard, a testament to the seamless blend of art and automotive design.
Hyunhee Kim, known for her reinterpretations of traditional Korean objects using transparent materials, has imbued numerous details of the car with her unique vision. Her artistic touch is evident on the Scuderia Ferrari shields, the wheel center caps, the model lettering, and the iconic Cavallino Rampante. Inside, Kim's signature extends to a reconfigured center tunnel and a bespoke dedication plaque featuring elegant calligraphic script. She also designed a traditional storage object for the trunk, which functions as stylish luggage and houses a specially crafted Ferrari key.
The work of TaeHyun Lee, an artist celebrated for his modern approach to traditional lacquer techniques, provides a unifying motif with the incorporation of white elements. Notably, white brake calipers—a first for a production Ferrari—and white shift paddles reflect his artistic vision. Complementing these visual aspects, the artistic duo GrayCode and Jiiiiin translated the distinctive roar of Ferrari's V12 engine into a graphic pattern. This visual representation of the engine's sound is subtly applied to the bodywork using a darker shade of the Yoonseul paint, adding another layer of conceptual depth to the vehicle.
Underneath this artistic exterior lies the formidable Ferrari 12Cilindri, powered by a front-mounted 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. This powerhouse delivers an impressive 830 horsepower, revving up to 9,500 rpm. The two-seater supercar boasts breathtaking performance, accelerating from 0 to 62 miles per hour in approximately 3.0 seconds and achieving a top speed exceeding 211 mph. This fusion of unparalleled artistic expression and extreme engineering prowess positions this one-off 12Cilindri as a truly unique masterpiece.
This exclusive Ferrari 12Cilindri stands as a powerful testament to the potential of artistic collaboration in the luxury automotive sector. It beautifully showcases how cultural narratives and contemporary art can enrich a brand's identity, offering a unique product that transcends mere transportation. This project not only highlights Ferrari's commitment to bespoke customization but also demonstrates a profound respect for diverse artistic traditions. It challenges the conventional understanding of car design, proving that a vehicle can indeed be a canvas for profound cultural dialogue and personal expression. This model serves as an inspiring example for other brands to explore innovative ways of integrating art and culture into their creations, ultimately delivering products that are rich in heritage, artistry, and cutting-edge technology.