The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa replaces the SF90 Stradale with a headline-grabbing 1,036bhp hybrid setup and is put through its paces on both road and track in Top Gear’s review. Designed to correct many of the SF90’s shortcomings, it combines a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with three electric motors to deliver four-wheel drive, massive performance, and a far more cohesive driving experience.
While its divisive styling sparked debate at launch, the engineering beneath is deeply impressive. Ferrari has refined the hybrid system, smoothed out front-axle intervention, improved cooling and aerodynamics, and significantly enhanced braking and chassis balance. On track—particularly in Assetto Fiorano trim—the 849 feels brutally fast, more fluid than the SF90, and reassuringly rear-biased despite its four-wheel-drive layout. It’s lighter than key rivals and devastatingly capable at speed.
On the road, the car is calmer, more confidence-inspiring, and far easier to read than its predecessor, especially in wet conditions. The return of physical buttons inside is a major win, and the gearbox stands out for its immediacy and precision.
