The ’80s are again in full swing with the brand new Ferrari 849 Testarossa. As automakers say, there’s no higher drug on the earth than nostalgia, however Ferrari’s newest mid-engined supercar is maybe relying just a little an excessive amount of on the historical past and cultural significance of the unique in an effort to spice up the dismal gross sales and horrid resale values of the SF90 Stradale that it replaces. With out the retro Testarossa’s signature facet strakes, pop-up headlights, and Monospecchio-spec single facet mirror, we’re frightened that Ferrari is falling sufferer to corrupted badge engineering, however tech borrowed from the F80 flagship and 1,036 horses on faucet give us hope.
The slanted nostril and hidden headlights give the 849 a contemporary look, however we’ve but to heat as much as the black bar that connects them, a thick unibrow design factor borrowed from the 12Cilindri. It can’t be spec’d with out it both – we perused the net configurator for an hour and located no approach to paint it over. It’s as if Ferrari grafted the 12Cilindri onto an SF90 and known as it a day, as a result of we don’t see a lot Testarossa affect anyplace else. Although, the dual wing sections clearly draw inspiration from the 512 S that raced within the 1970 Daytona 24 Hours.
Ferrari has unquestionably listened to buyer suggestions—the up to date cockpit cures lots of our earlier considerations, most notably with the steering wheel. There are actually bodily buttons on the wheel, together with an precise begin button that replaces these irritating haptic sensors. The 849 additionally makes use of Ferrari’s newest infotainment system and equips the passenger facet with its personal digital display screen.
Testa Rossa means ‘pink head’ in Italian, and again within the Nineteen Fifties, Ferrari used it to explain the pink cam covers of their racing engines, which they nonetheless use to this present day. Whereas we’ve but to peek underneath the 849’s engine cowl, we’re positive the consumption manifolds are pink, and Ferrari notes that the 8 stands for eight cylinders, and the 49 stands for 499cc cylinder displacement.
The powertrain structure stays the identical because the SF90, with a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 paired with three electrical motors, a 7.45 kWh lithium-ion battery, and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Two motors are positioned on the entrance axle, and the third is built-in into the transaxle gearbox, working just like the MGU-Ok unit that Ferrari additionally makes use of on their present Method 1 automotive. Electrical-only driving is restricted to 25 km.
Output has been raised to 1,036 hp and 621 lb-ft of torque due to new cylinder heads, engine block, Inconel exhaust manifold, consumption plenums, and most significantly, a bigger turbocharger that makes use of F80-derived low-friction bearings and a 296 GT3-derived warmth defend on the turbine casing. This could enhance energy supply, cut back turbo lag, and make the 849 sound higher than the SF90. Moreover, that 50-hp bump will get the Testarossa sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 2.3 seconds earlier than topping out at 330 km/h.
Together with different thermal, cooling, and aerodynamic upgrades, the 849 can also be accessible in Spider guise with a retractable hardtop and an additional 90 kg of weight. To recoup that penalty, we suggest the elective Assetto Fiorano package deal that knocks out 30 kg with an in depth use of carbon fibre and titanium supplies for the seats, wheels, and physique panels. It additionally provides lighter and stiffer suspension parts and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Will the most recent Testarossa be as iconic and influential as the unique? We doubt it, however there’s no denying the truth that its thermal and aerodynamic upgrades have a constructive impact on efficiency. Whether or not or not that leads to extra driver engagement and pleasure than the SF90 stays to be seen.
No phrase on Canadian pricing, however count on deliveries of the Coupe to start in the midst of 2026, with the Spider following shortly after.
