2022 Spy shots of the Ferrari 812 GTO (Speciale version): the swan song of the upcoming 812 model

Ferrari is testing what appears to be a prototype of a hardcore version of the 812 Superfast.

Italian automakers tend to introduce such variants at the end of a model's life cycle; before the 812 Superfast was introduced, Ferrari sent out the F12 Berlinetta along with the F12 TDF.

It is not clear what the hardcore 812 Superfast will be called, but it is possible that Ferrari's GTO badge will return. This badge was last used on the 599 GTO, a hardcore version of the 599 GTB. Ferrari is currently calling this new car the Version Speciale.

This prototype appears to have a new front mask with larger intakes, a new rear mask with a larger diffuser, and new square-shaped exhaust tips compared to the regular 812 Superfast.

Expect more power and new chassis refinements for the hardcore 812 Superfast, which produces 789 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque from its 6.5-liter V-12 engine. Interestingly, the new model is rumored to be the last V-12 Ferrari to omit forced induction and hybrid technology, which would be quite a prize in the world of car collectors.

As for when the cover will be removed, it is rumored to be as early as May 5. Since Ferrari tends to redesign or update its models about every five years, and the 812 Superfast was introduced in 2017 and is scheduled to end at the end of 2022, the debut of this hardcore model is likely this year.