Ferrari’s One-Off 12Cilindri Korean Masterpiece Showcases When V12 Power Meets Ancient Weaves

A Korean auto collector was inspired to make a one-of-a-kind Ferrari 12Cilindri, combining the Italian company’s speed and style with his homeland’s rich workmanship. Through Ferrari’s bespoke Tailor Made program, the car was crafted on both sides of the world for nearly two years, with a team from Cool Hunting, co-founders Josh Rubin and Evan Orensten, collaborating with Ferrari’s design team and a group of South Korean artists to put their own stamp on every single detail.

The exterior begins with a special paint called Yoonseul, which has an extremely matte surface that plays with light. It’s a bespoke job based on the Korean word for sunlight rippling over water, and it truly changes tones from green to violet with a tinge of blue, similar to the delicate glow of a Celadon vase or the neon lights of a night out in Seoul. GRAYCODE and jiiiiin then added a stripe running down the middle of the automobile that mimics the rhythm of the V12 engine’s sound, resulting in a visual of sound waves running in a flowing line across the hood. The white brake calipers stand out, thanks to a lacquer finish based on ancient Japanese Urushi techniques, in which layers are layered up to offer depth and luster, exactly as traditional Korean painters did.

The badges and emblems also receive their own special treatment. Dahye Jeong, a textile expert and Loewe Prize winner, designed the Ferrari shields, Prancing Horse insignia, and wheel covers. But this time they’re constructed to glow, with translucent layers that catch the light in different ways at different times of day, giving the impression that they’re alive. The glass roof on top is printed with Jeong’s weaving method, which filters the sunlight into dappled shadows that resemble horsehair strands.

Inside, the crew has incorporated a variety of materials based on Korean heritage, but in a way that prioritizes the driver. The seats and floor areas are composed of a unique 3D fabric woven with Mongolian horsehair, which pays homage to historic Joseon Dynasty techniques reinvented by Jeong. So you have a great textured surface that is both robust and elegant, and it extends all the way to the dashboard, where the horsehair is a true focal point. Hyunhee Kim, an expert in semi-transparent materials, assisted with the objects that shine in the dark, such as the acrylic parts on the gear tunnel and door panels, which resemble vintage bridal trousseaus. The white paddle shifters match the calipers, providing a wonderful contrast, while the center console panels have a mild Yoonseul vibe with a super matte surface.

Trunk space hides another tiny secret: a pair of foggy acrylic boxes developed by Kim to store your personal belongings or souvenirs from your drives. A little memorial plate in the cabin reads “12 Han” in elegant, puffy calligraphy, linking together the engine’s twelve cylinders and the undying Korean spirit. Every decision they made was related to the cooperation; for example, artists would take the new automobile for a test drive in the prototype to get a sense of how it handled before they began experimenting with it.

The actual star of the show is still the same 12 cylinder engine, which produces 818 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque from its 6.5 litre naturally aspirated V12. With all of that power under the hood, it can accelerate from 0 to 62 in less than three seconds. It’s the combination of old-school raw power and sophisticated personal touches that makes this item feel so distinct. The car made its debut in Seoul, where Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s chief design officer, showed it out. This is part of a new wave of Cool Hunting content we’ve been producing, including a Roma from last year, but this time they chose to take it a step further by focusing on music and vision, as well as cool art and paint. Yoonseul paint may appear on future Tailor Made vehicles, but this 12Cylinder remains unique, built to commemorate all the myriad ways people may come together to create something truly remarkable.
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