Ferrari doesnโt just launch new carsโit launches statements. Every time the Prancing Horse introduces a flagship, it shifts the conversation around performance, design, and technology. The newly unveiled Ferrari 849 Testarossa is no exception. Not only does it replace the SF90 Stradale, it also sets a new benchmark as the most powerful production Ferrari ever made, blending cutting-edge hybrid technology with a name that carries immense historical weight.
The name Testarossa is etched deep into Ferrariโs legacy. First appearing in 1956 on the 500 TR, it referred to the red-painted cam covers of Ferrariโs most extreme racing engines. Nearly three decades later, in 1984, the name returned on one of Ferrariโs most iconic road carsโthe flat, wide, side-straked Testarossa that defined supercars of the โ80s.
By reviving the Testarossa badge for 2025, Ferrari is making a bold statement: this car is not just a technical marvel but also a spiritual successor to some of Maranelloโs most celebrated machines. The 849 Testarossa is both futuristic and steeped in heritageโa bridge between Ferrariโs glorious past and its electrified future.
At the heart of the 849 Testarossa lies an engineering masterpiece: a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a sophisticated hybrid system. Together, they produce an astonishing 1,050 cv (1,036 hp). The V8 alone delivers 830 cv, thanks to a complete re-engineering of Ferrariโs award-winning F154 engine family. Larger turbos, lightweight components, and F1-inspired cooling innovations allow for a specific output of 208 cv/l.
The hybrid system adds 220 cv via three electric motors: two on the front axle (for AWD and torque vectoring) and one on the rear (derived directly from Ferrariโs Formula 1 MGU-K). A 7.45 kWh lithium-ion battery allows for up to 25 km of silent, all-electric driving in eDrive modeโbut thatโs just the beginning of what this hybrid system can do. The result is a car with the best power-to-weight ratio of any Ferrari to date, achieved not by piling on more mass, but by meticulous weight-saving measures. From titanium fasteners to recycled aluminum castings, every gram was scrutinized.
Numbers are impressive, but Ferrari knows that a supercarโs soul is as much about feeling as figures. The 849 Testarossa is designed to deliver a multi-sensory driving experience. Engineers worked to craft a V8 note thatโs pure Ferrariโricher, louder, and more visceral than its predecessor. With a redline at 8,300 rpm and a revised gearshift calibration that produces explosive upshift crackles, the car sings like a modern racing machine.
Ferrariโs latest ABS Evo system, integrated with the FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator) digital twin control system, ensures braking precision and razor-sharp cornering feedback.ย Revised suspension geometry, lighter springs, and optimized damping improve both track precision and road comfort. Michelin, Pirelli, and Bridgestone have all co-developed bespoke tyre options for the car, ranging from road-friendly Pirellis to extreme Cup2R rubber.
The 0โ100 km/h figure hasnโt been officially released yet, but given the SF90 Stradale already did it in 2.5 seconds, expect the 849 Testarossa to dip into territory that challenges even hypercars. The 849 Testarossa isnโt just styledโitโs engineered for airflow. Ferrariโs design team, led by Flavio Manzoni, drew inspiration from 1970s Ferrari prototypes like the 512 S, blending nostalgia with modern aero mastery. Downforce: 415 kg at 250 km/h, a 25 kg increase over the SF90, achieved through a redesigned underbody, twin-tail architecture, and active rear spoiler.
Radiators and intercoolers redesigned for a 15% improvement in thermal efficiencyโvital when managing both combustion and hybrid systems. A striking design feature that doubles as a patented aero solution, channeling high-energy airflow to generate stability without excess drag.ย Every crease, intake, and curve has a purpose. Even the doors act as ducts, sculpted to funnel air toward intercoolers and brakes. Itโs functional beauty at its finest.
Step into the cockpit and youโre reminded that Ferrari designs around the driver first. The cabin combines single-seater ergonomics with grand touring comfort. The steering wheel features mechanical buttons, including the iconic red start buttonโan emotional nod for Ferrari purists, while theย HMI system looks streamlined, intuitive, and customizable. The eManettino switch lets drivers toggle seamlessly between electric and hybrid modes. The seats are available in either comfort or racing-spec carbon-fibre shells, balancing long-distance usability with track-ready support.
New trims, including Giallo Siena Alcantara, pair with bold exterior shades like Rosso Fiammante and Giallo Ambra. This is a car designed to thrill on track days yet remain usable for long journeysโFerrariโs interpretation of “everyday extreme.”
For clients who want nothing but the sharpest edge, Ferrari offers the Assetto Fiorano package. It trims 30 kg through carbon-fibre wheels and lightweight racing seats, stiffens suspension with Multimatic dampers, and adds aggressive aero flicks. The result is a car that is more at home at Fiorano Circuit than on Via Emilia.
Buyers can also opt for exclusive track-focused tyres and unique liveries, including a striking gradient double-stripe design in Rosso Corsa or Bianco Cervino. The 849 Testarossa isnโt just about performanceโitโs about Ferrariโs promise to its clients.
Each car comes with:
7 years of free maintenance at official Ferrari service centers.
Hybrid-specific extended warranty programmes, covering even the high-voltage battery up to 16 years, with replacements included.
For a car at this level, peace of mind is part of the package.
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa is more than just a replacement for the SF90 Stradale. Itโs a declaration of intentโa statement that hybrid technology can elevate, not dilute, the Ferrari experience.
Itโs brutally fast, achingly beautiful, and proudly wears a name that links it to Maranelloโs golden era. For purists, itโs a reassurance that Ferrari hasnโt lost its soul in the age of electrification. For technophiles, itโs proof that hybridization can create the ultimate performance machine.
In short: the 849 Testarossa is not just the future of Ferrariโit is Ferrari at its absolute best.
