Few names in Maranello’s history resonate like Testarossa. First attached to the scarlet cam covers of Ferrari’s most uncompromising racing engines in the 1950s, it later became a cultural symbol of the 1980s. Today the name returns, not as a retro flourish, but as the spearhead of Ferrari’s road-going lineup. The new 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider replace the SF90 Stradale and Spider, advancing performance while reframing what a modern flagship Ferrari must be.
849 Testarossa
The berlinetta is Ferrari’s new standard bearer, a car that makes its point through both design and substance. The shape nods to 1970s sports prototypes with sharp, geometric surfacing and a dramatic twin-tail rear that frames the active spoiler. The look is not timid. At speed it proves its worth, generating greater downforce and cooling capacity than the SF90 it replaces. Despite housing a hybrid system with three electric motors, the car carries no weight penalty, so the power-to-weight ratio improves.
Its heart is a reworked twin-turbo V8 producing 830 cv, joined by electric assistance for a total of 1,050 cv. The result is a car that clears 100 km/h in less than 2.3 seconds and powers on beyond 330 km/h. The electronic chassis systems are equally advanced. Ferrari’s new FIVE estimator builds a digital twin of the car in real time, feeding into ABS Evo to allow harder, later braking with consistency lap after lap. Inside, the cabin balances focus and ritual. The red start button is back where it belongs, the gate-like gear selector motif gives a nod to Ferrari’s past, and the ergonomics are cleaner than before.
849 Testarossa Spider
The Spider carries the same core but adds open-air theatre. Its retractable hard top folds in 14 seconds, even at city speeds, and a patented wind catcher tucked behind the seats calms the airflow when driving roof-down. With the roof closed, the silhouette mirrors the berlinetta. Open it, and the rear tonneau architecture becomes sculptural, channelling air and accentuating the twin-tail form. The soundtrack is all the richer for it, with Ferrari tuning the V8’s harmonics for brightness in the mid-range and a sharper crack on upshifts.
Performance is no less intense than the coupe. The Spider reaches 100 km/h in under 2.3 seconds and continues past 330 km/h, yet its character lies as much in sensation as in speed. The sound, the exposure to the elements, and the way the car manages airflow around its occupants give it a different kind of authority. As with the coupe, the Assetto Fiorano specification turns up the edge, shaving weight and adding aerodynamic grip for those who will explore the car’s potential on track.
Verdict
The 849 Testarossa and 849 Testarossa Spider are not museum pieces. They are flagships that show Ferrari’s confidence in shaping its future around hybrid power without sacrificing emotion. The berlinetta is exact and purposeful, a technical showcase with sculptural presence. The Spider is more dramatic, inviting you into the experience with every open-roof journey. Both wear the Testarossa name with credibility, not for nostalgia but for intent.
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