The 12Cilindri roars to life at Ferrari of Ontario/Toronto, where passion, legacy and performance converge under Remo Ferri’s leadership.
I have had the great pleasure of covering Ferrari- related pieces in the past, so when Dolce received an exclusive invitation from Ferrari of Ontario/Toronto to attend the unveiling of the Ferrari 12Cilindri, I was overwhelmed with excitement.
But then there was the added pleasure of speaking to the man who passionately dedicated his life and has contributed to the success of the Ferrari brand. His name is Remo Ferri, and he is the founder and president of R. Ferri Automotive Group and president of Ferrari of Ontario/ Toronto, Maranello Ferrari Service WNY. When I met Ferri for the first time, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his undeniable swagger — a clean- cut old-school Italian gentleman serious about his work and motivated by his deep passion for all things automotive. But I quickly learned that among the brands he offers to his clientele, it’s Ferrari above all that has always held a special place in his heart.
“I get asked, ‘You sell Ferraris?’ and I always respond with, ‘No, I don’t sell cars — I sell dreams.’ And Ferrari is a dream, it’s a passion,” said Ferri.
As eager attendees, both clients and Ferrari team members, arrived at the dealership, the evening air resounded with “oohs” and “aahs” at the dozens of Ferraris that beautified the space. Trays of delicious appetizers were circulated, exquisite wine flowed, and the array of beautiful Ferraris left everyone speechless.
“WE WANT OUR CUSTOMERS TO ENJOY THEMSELVES, TO APPRECIATE WHAT WE DO, TO APPRECIATE THE CARS AND SPEND A NIGHT TOGETHER. I LOVE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THINGS LIKE THIS BECAUSE IT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER FOR THE LOVE OF THE BRAND.”
But what made the event even more special is that almost all the guests who attended have known Ferri for close to 30 years. In the eyes of his hometown community of Vaughan, Ont., he is a pillar, leader and dear friend. “The community means a lot because if you do good in your community and you’re honourable and you do the right things, the community supports you. I’m blessed to live in a community like Vaughan. I love being here,” said Ferri.
Just before the unveiling of the 12Cilindri, Ferri added, “I can tell you one thing: I’m old school, and as a man who spent all his life with Ferrari, this is not just a car. It’s a celebration of Ferrari’s unwavering commitment to performance, passion, and the power of twelve cylinders.”
The Ferrari 12Cilindri is a front-engined V12 masterpiece that pays homage to the brand’s grand touring legacy while embracing cutting- edge design and technology. Beneath its sculpted hood lies a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, producing over 800 horsepower.
As the 12Cilindri’s vibrant red silk cover was gently removed, the crowd that had gathered around it filled with anticipation and excitement. Once the car was revealed, some guests sat inside the car, appreciating the intricate craftsmanship of its interior, others lifted the hood for a closer view of the engine’s sophisticated design. Ferri smiled as he watched the awestruck reactions of the guests around him, many of whom he knew as friends as well as clients.
“We host events like this two, three times a year,” he explained, clearly moved. “We want our customers to enjoy themselves, to appreciate what we do, to appreciate the cars and spend a night together. I love to be involved with things like this because it brings us all together for the love of the brand.”
And what I realized by the end of the night is that the event had an importance that extended beyond just the unveiling of the 12Cilindri. Ferri and Ferrari together are reflections not just of a business or a brand, but of a culture — one that many do not take the time to fully appreciate. And like that culture, both stand for emotion, legacy, innovation, and a profound respect for history.
