Few names in Ferrari’s history carry quite the weight of Testarossa. First used in 1956 for the 500 TR, the name referred to the red cam covers of some of the marque’s most extreme racing engines before becoming synonymous with the celebrated 1984 road car.
Now, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa gives the storied name a new identity. Replacing the SF90 Stradale, the plug-in hybrid berlinetta brings together a mid-rear twin-turbo V8, three electric motors and a design shaped by Ferrari’s racing heritage.
Power Meets Electrification
At the heart of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa is a thoroughly revised twin-turbo V8 producing 830 cv—50 cv more than the previous iteration. Combined with three electric motors delivering a further 220 cv, the powertrain produces a total 1,050 cv, making it the highest-output production Ferrari in the marque’s range.
The engine’s revisions extend to its turbocharger, cylinder heads, engine block, exhaust manifolds and valve-train system. Its new turbocharger is the largest yet fitted to a Ferrari production car, while weight-saving measures help preserve the car’s power-to-weight ratio without adding significant mass.
The hybrid system is equally purposeful. Two electric motors sit on the front axle to enable four-wheel drive and torque vectoring, while a third motor is positioned at the rear and draws directly from Ferrari’s motorsport experience; in eDrive mode, the car can travel up to 25 kilometres on electric power alone.
Shaped by the Air
Ferrari’s pursuit of performance continues into the aerodynamics. Drawing inspiration from the 512 S, 512 M and FXX-K, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa generates 415 kg of downforce at 250 km/h—25 kg more than the SF90 Stradale—while improving cooling performance by 15 per cent.
At the rear, a distinctive twin-tail architecture references the 512 S, while an active spoiler switches between Low Drag and High Downforce configurations in less than a second. In its High Downforce setting, the spoiler can generate up to 100 kg of downforce at 250 km/h.
A New Expression of Ferrari Design
Developed by Ferrari’s Styling Centre under Flavio Manzoni, the exterior combines sculptural surfaces with sharper, architectural lines inspired by the 1970s Sports Prototypes. Even the deeply sculpted doors have a functional role, acting as aerodynamic ducts that channel air towards the intercoolers and rear brakes.
Inside, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa balances the intimacy of a single-seater-inspired cockpit with the refinement expected of a road-going Ferrari. A horizontal dashboard, central sail motif and F80-inspired gear-change gate create an enveloping environment, while the steering wheel retains mechanical controls including the iconic Engine Start button.
The Assetto Fiorano Option
For drivers seeking a more focused interpretation, the optional Assetto Fiorano specification takes the Ferrari 849 Testarossa further towards the track. Extensive use of carbon fibre and titanium reduces weight by around 30 kg, while dedicated aerodynamic components, suspension settings and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres are designed to sharpen its dynamic performance.
A Modern Testarossa
With a top speed exceeding 330 km/h and a 0–100 km/h time of less than 2.3 seconds, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa is firmly positioned at the upper reaches of Maranello’s performance range. Yet its significance is not found in numbers alone.
By bringing one of Ferrari’s most recognisable names into the plug-in hybrid era, the 849 Testarossa creates a meeting point between heritage, motorsport-derived engineering and contemporary performance. It is a Testarossa for a different generation—one that looks to Ferrari’s past while moving decisively towards its future.
