The 849 Testarossa revives an iconic badge with a twin-turbo V8, three motors, and 15.5 miles of EV range
The Red Head returns, this time wearing sharper lines and carrying far more muscle than it had when production ended in 1996. The 849 Testarossa is Ferrari’s newly unveiled plug-in hybrid flagship, set to succeed the SF90 Stradale and Spider. Due next year in both coupe and open-top form, it combines a reengineered twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors to deliver no less than 1,035 horsepower (772 kW).
Read: Ferrari F80 Configurator Includes Wild Colors And Some Questionable Liveries
The running theme here is that this new car is very similar to the SF90, but heavily updated both inside and out. The engine gets new cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, and turbos. Those snails are the largest ever fitted to a production Ferrari. The combustion engine alone makes 819 horsepower (610 kW). The electric motors add 217 horsepower (160 kW).
Performance at the Limit
Two of those motors sit on the front axle to enable torque vectoring around turns. They can only provide power up to 130 mph, but the third motor, sitting between the engine and gearbox, continues providing full power after that. Interestingly, those who want to run the 849 Testarossa in EV mode will only get power to the front wheels and be limited to 80 mph. The 7.45 kWh battery pack inside the car is good for up to 15 miles of range.
Expect performance figures that eclipse the SF90 XX Stradale. Rocketing from 0-62 mph (100 kmh) in the coupe should be possible in as little as 2.2 seconds. Running from 0-124 mph (200 kmh) can be done in as little as 6.3 seconds. The Spider will be marginally slower as it weighs more. Top speed is north of 205 mph for both versions. An eight-speed dual-clutch F1 gearbox is the only option there.
A Name With History
The name Testarossa actually dates back far before the iconic car of the 1980s and early 1990s. Ferrari race cars in the 1950s were often called that for their red valve covers. The name then took on even more meaning when it was applied to the 1984 production car. How does this one fit in?
“It is not because we are taking inspiration from old designs, we don’t want to just look at the past,” said Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, to Road&Track. “The name Testa Rossa [“redhead in Italian”] came originally from the cover of the engine of the most powerful model in the range.”
While the F80 is far more powerful than the new 849 Testarossa, it’s also considered a step above the normal production line of Ferraris. To that end, this remains a fitting name if only for the red valve covers. It certainly doesn’t get that name by trying to look much like the last production car to wear the badge.
Exterior Design
Unlike Lamborghini, which very clearly modernized the Countach styling for what was essentially a rebodied Aventador, the 849 Testarossa bears almost no resemblance to the original. Ferrari’s styling center, led by Flavio Manzoni, blended cues from 1970s sports prototypes and aeronautics with sharp geometric lines.
The result is something not super far off from the SF90 or the SP3 Daytona, but with a bit more retro chucked into the mix. The big side intakes are integrated into the doors. The cab-forward stance comes from what Ferrari describes as a double-tail design inspired by the 512 S. The nose of the car gets its styling from 1980s-era Ferraris with a bridge-like horizontal design connecting the headlamps.
In the end, yes, this looks like an updated SF90 in many ways, but we’ll stay well wide of calling it a facelift. It’s a solid update from every angle.
The cabin is likewise updated with an F80-inspired gear selector that itself looks like a teeny tiny gated manual. The steering wheel eschews touch controls for physical ones. There’s a center sail that separates the driver from the passenger, and digital screens reflect vital info for the driver and potentially frightening info for the passenger. Buyers can choose from comfort seats or racing seats.
Speaking Of Options
Ferrari is launching two new colors with this car. First is Rosso Fiammante, which takes the matte Rosso Corsa shade from past cars and adds a bit of metallic flake to the paint. Second is Giallo Ambra, a paint color designed to embody the rich hues of natural amber.
A new interior Alcantara trim, Giallo Siena, is meant to harmonize with Giallo Ambra. Buyers also get their choice of several new wheel designs. Undoubtedly, Ferrari will let buyers add plenty of other little bits here and there.
Assetto Fiorano
For now, the range-topping trim of the range-topping (sans F80 – boy this can be confusing…) is the 849 Testarossa Assetto Fiorano. It loses 30 kg (66 lbs) through the use of lighter materials like titanium and carbon fiber. It also adds fixed Multimatic dampers and triples rear downforce with twin wings. Those who select this trim can also add Michelin Cup R2 tires, unique liveries, and, of course, bespoke interior options not available to the plebeians who buy the normal 849 Testarossa.
Ferrari hasn’t disclosed pricing yet, but expect it to be north of the SF90’s starting point of around $470,000. Deliveries of the coupe and spider are scheduled to begin next year. 
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