FERRARI 849 TESTAROSSA – THE LEGEND IS REBORN TO BE LOUDER AND MEANER THAN EVER. LOOKS ALRIGHT TOO.
Ferrari doesn’t do half measures. If Maranello decides to bring back one of its most iconic names, you know it won’t be for some badge-engineering exercise. Enter the Ferrari 849 Testarossa – a car that doesn’t just nod politely to the past but straps a rocket to it, stuffs it full of tech from F1 and GT racing, and then drops it back onto the road with a monstrous 772 kW on tap. Yes, you read that right. This new berlinetta replaces the SF90 Stradale as Ferrari’s flagship, taking the crown as the most powerful production road car in the brand’s history. It’s not just about numbers, though - it’s about channelling Ferrari’s old-school ferocity into a future-proof package. Why "Testarossa" Again? That name, Testarossa, isn’t just there to tug on nostalgic heartstrings. Ferrari first used it in 1956 for the 500 TR, referencing the red-painted cam covers of its most extreme engines. It then defined a generation with the 1984 Testarossa, a wedge-shaped icon that adorned bedroom walls worldwide. Now, the 849 Testarossa carries the badge into the hybrid era, and it’s the wildest interpretation yet.
Under the rear deck lives the latest version of Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, project code F154FC. On its own, it belts out 610 kW, with a specific output of 153 kW/l - higher than most full race engines. Pair that with three electric motors (two on the front axle, one tucked into the gearbox) and you get an extra 162 kW. Total system output? 773 kW and 1,100 Nm. That’s hypercar territory - except this isn’t a limited-run, invite-only machine. It’s the new series-production flagship. Ferrari didn’t just bolt on motors and call it a day. The turbochargers are all-new, the intercoolers reworked, the exhaust manifolds cast in space-age Inconel, and the calibration strategy refined to kill lag. The MGU-K setup comes straight from Ferrari’s Formula 1 team, meaning some of Charles Leclerc’s homework just made it into a road car. Despite packing a plug-in hybrid system and a bigger turbo, the 849 Testarossa weighs no more than the SF90. That means Ferrari’s engineers went on a crash diet for every nut, bolt and component – titanium fasteners, carbon fibre galore, and even trick suspension hardware.
The car comes with ABS Evo and a completely revised spring and damper setup, making it sharper and more predictable at the limit. On the Nürburgring, Ferrari insiders hint that the car has shaved chunks of time off the SF90’s already mad lap - not officially published yet, but the word is “eye-watering.” Ferrari knows sound is half the experience. The V8 now breathes through redesigned manifolds and a lightweight exhaust that amplifies the low- and mid-range growl while keeping that high-rev scream intact all the way to 8,300 rpm. Even the gearshift strategy has been engineered to sound more dramatic, firing out overrun pops and bangs during aggressive upshifts. The result is a hybrid that doesn’t whisper - it roars like an angry bear.
For the clients who think “regular” 733 kW isn’t focused enough, Ferrari offers the Assetto Fiorano package. That’s 30 kg lighter thanks to carbon fibre seats, titanium bits, and optional carbon wheels. Aero upgrades include bigger flicks up front, extra vortex generators underneath, and twin wings at the back that triple downforce. Oh, and you can have it in a special Rosso Corsa or Bianco Cervino livery with racing stripes that fade out across the roof. Because why not look fast standing still? Ferrari co-developed tyres specifically for this car with all three major suppliers. Whether it’s Michelin Cup 2R track rubber, Pirelli P Zero Rs for daily use, or Bridgestone Potenza Sports for balance, the Testarossa has a shoe for every mood.
Inside, Ferrari dialled up the drama with an even more driver-focused cockpit. The gear selector echoes Ferrari’s gated shifters of old, the steering wheel keeps proper mechanical buttons (because touch sliders are evil), and the new HMI system makes navigating all the tech actually intuitive. Ferrari could’ve played it safe, but the 849 Testarossa shows they’re still willing to make outrageous, emotional cars in a world that’s getting ever more clinical. It’s a hybrid, yes, but it’s also the most ferocious V8 Ferrari has ever made, wrapped up in heritage, bleeding-edge tech, and a soundtrack that’ll give you goosebumps.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows the latest evolution of the resurrected Testarossa nameplate, a smooth and sleek hybrid-powered supercar with all the right angles in all the right places - curves are minimal here: Be ready for the Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider | Ferrari
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