Ferrari’s 849 Testarossa is a Modern Legend Reborn with 1,036 Horsepower

Ferrari has brought back the Testarossa name and the result is the 849 Testarossa. Unveiled in Milan, this forward thinking supercar takes the legendary story into 2025 with 1,036 horsepower, a hybrid V8 and a design that looks like it was chiseled from the future.

Power comes from a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and three electric motors. The combustion engine alone produces 819 horsepower thanks to new cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds and the largest turbos ever fitted to a production Ferrari. Add in the electric motors – two on the front axle for torque vectoring, one between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox – and the total output is 1,036 horsepower. 0-62mph in 2.3 seconds, 0-124mph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed over 205mph. If you prefer silence the 7.45 kWh battery offers up to 19 miles of electric only range at speeds up to 81mph, though power in EV mode is front-wheel-drive only.

Active aero elements, including a rear spoiler that deploys or retracts in under a second, generate 915lbs of downforce at 155mph – 55lbs more than the SF90. Twin “double-tail” spoilers, inspired by the 1970s Ferrari 512 S, add style and function. The Assetto Fiorano package takes this further, tripling rear downforce with twin wings and shedding 66lbs through titanium and carbon fiber components. Add in optional Michelin Cup R2 tyres and the 849 Testarossa is a track weapon, lapping Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit in 1:17.5, 1.5 seconds quicker than the SF90 Stradale.

Visually, the 849 Testarossa takes inspiration from the 1970s sports prototypes and aeronautics to create sharp, geometric lines that are more SP3 Daytona than Testarossa. A gloss black trim piece joins the headlamps, like the 1984 model, and massive side intakes into the doors give the car a predatory look. The cab-forward shape and bridge-like nose are 1980s Ferrari, but overall it’s modern. The Spider with its retractable hardtop that folds in 14 seconds at speeds of up to 28mph adds around 200lbs but looks stunning in Giallo Ambra, a mustard-yellow color.

Inside, it’s driver focused with a contoured layout that wraps around the driver. Physical buttons are back in newer Ferraris and it’s great to have the tactile feedback. A digital instrument cluster has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MyFerrari Connect and a separate passenger panel shows performance data – perfect for delighting (or alarming) your passenger. The gear selector is inspired by Ferrari’s original gated shifters and is a nice touch. You can choose between comfort and racing seats and new Alcantara trim in Giallo Siena to match the exterior Giallo Ambra paint.

Options are plentiful – two new colors (Rosso Fiammante, a metallic flecked matte red and Giallo Ambra, an amber inspired color), bespoke wheel designs and interior finishes. The Assetto Fiorano package takes it up a notch with Multimatic dampers, unique liveries and lightweight materials – it’s the one for the purists. Ferrari hasn’t announced pricing but the SF90 starts at around $550,000 so the 849 Testarossa will likely be more. Deliveries start next year and pre-orders are open now.