Ferrari Unveils 849 Testarossa

Written By Tristan Gibbons

Ferrari has revealed the 849 Testarossa, an all-new plug-in hybrid super-sports berlinetta that replaces the SF90 Stradale and revives one of the marque’s most storied names. Pairing a re-engineered twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors, the 849 Testarossa delivers a combined 772kW and 842Nm, with that output being 37kW and 38Nm more than its predecessor, the SF90, while elevating comfort, refinement and everyday usability.

Positioning & Heritage

Sitting at the summit of the Ferrari range, the 849 Testarossa blends futuristic engineering with design cues rooted in the brand’s racing past. The Testa Rossa name, first seen on the 500 TR (1956) and immortalised by the 1984 Testarossa, returns to signify extreme performance and red-painted cam covers.

Powertrain

  • Total system output: 772kW/842Nm (PHEV)

  • ICE: Completely re-engineered twin-turbo V8 (F154FC)

    • Largest-ever turbo fitted to a Ferrari road car; low-friction bearings (F80-derived)

    • New cylinder heads/block, manifolds, plenums, valve train, fuel rail; intercooler optimised

    • Inconel® exhaust with +20% duct diameter and +10% length for performance and signature timbre

    • Weight reduction via racing-inspired machining, lightened cams and titanium fasteners

    • Recycled secondary-aluminium castings (head, crankcase, sump) cut CO₂ up to 0.4 t per car

  • Hybrid system:

    • MGU-K on rear axle (F1-inspired) + twin front e-motors (RAC-e) enabling on-demand AWD and torque vectoring

    • 7.45 kWh lithium-ion battery (in-chassis) supports up to 25 km eDrive mode

    • Four e-modes via eManettino: eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, Qualify

    • Revised cooling (+10–12°C thermal headroom) and smoother regenerative braking for more natural pedal feel

    • New active-damping function stabilises idle and transitions between thermal/electric phases

Vehicle Dynamics

  • ABS Evo (as on SF90 XX Stradale) for higher, more repeatable braking performance

  • Latest brake-by-wire system; larger discs/pads, improved front ventilation channels, new rear calipers

  • Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator (FIVE) digital twin estimates key states (e.g., speed <1 km/h error, yaw <1°) to sharpen traction, e-diff and e4WD control

  • New spring/damper setup: –35% spring weight, –10% roll gradient, +3% lateral performance vs SF90 Stradale

  • Best power-to-weight ratio of any current Ferrari range model; extensive mass reduction offsets added performance hardware

Aerodynamics & Thermal Management

  • Downforce: 415 kg at 250 km/h (+25 kg vs SF90 Stradale)

  • Cooling: +15% system capacity; 18% larger front intake; 19% larger, lower-inclination intercooler (F80-derived)

  • Front: re-profiled underfloor (35% of total downforce), cascading vortex generators (+20% DF vs SF90), larger splitter with SF90 XX-inspired flick (10% of front DF)

  • Rear: twin-tail architecture (512 S-inspired) generates 10% rear DF; active rear spoiler (lighter mechanism by 2 kg) switches LD/HD in <1 s, adding up to 100 kg DF at 250 km/h

  • Multi-level rear diffuser with isolated wheel-wake; –10% drag vs SF90 rear underbody at equivalent DF

Sound & Emotion

A newly tuned V8 soundtrack emphasises bright harmonics at low/mid revs and surges to an 8,300 rpm limiter. Gearshift mapping (inspired by SF90 XX Stradale) amplifies upshift drama in Race and above for a racing-style over-run timbre.

Design

  • Exterior: Architectural, aero-led surfacing with 1970s Sports Prototype references; dramatic three-dimensional door panel acts as an aero duct; 512 S-inspired double-tail integrates with active wing; forged wheels with functional aero profiles

  • Interior: Horizontal berlinetta dashboard meets single-seater cockpit logic; floating upper dash with ‘C’-vents; dual “sail” motifs integrate controls and F80-inspired gated selector; improved access, storage and ergonomics; seats in comfort or carbon-fibre racing forms

HMI & Connectivity

  • Steering wheel combines mechanical controls (incl. iconic Engine Start) with rapid digital reconfiguration via eManettino

  • Driver-centric UI wraps into doors and tunnel; passenger display integrated in horizontal band

  • Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto® and wireless charging standard; MyFerrari Connect app enables remote vehicle monitoring

Tyres

Co-developed with Michelin, Pirelli and Bridgestone to cover varied use cases:

  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 R (optional), Cup2 (Assetto Fiorano); Pirelli PZero R (std); Bridgestone Potenza Sport (std, incl. run-flat)

  • Sizes: 265/35 R20 (front), 325/30 R20 (rear)

ADAS

Configurable assistance suite designed to intervene minimally: ACC with Stop & Go, AEB with Cyclist Detection, Blind Spot Detection, LDW/LKA, Auto High Beam, TSR, Surround View, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, driver-fatigue monitoring.

Assetto Fiorano (Optional)

Track-focused package unique to 849 Testarossa:

  • ~30 kg weight saving via composites/titanium; new lightweight tubular seats in black Alcantara® (–18 kg); 20" carbon-fibre wheels

  • Aero upgrades: larger front flicks; extra front vortex generators; dual fixed rear wings replacing twin tails—~3× vertical load vs twin-tail, minimal drag penalty

  • Chassis: stiffer single-rate Multimatic dampers, –35% spring mass, –10% roll gradient; optional front lifter (retains MagneRide)

  • Michelin Cup2 tyres developed specifically for this spec

  • Exclusive gradient-stripe liveries in Bianco Cervino or Rosso Corsa

Personalisation

New exterior colours Rosso Fiammante (metallic evolution of Rosso Corsa) and Giallo Ambra (amber-inspired). Interior debuts Giallo Siena Alcantara. Aerodynamic forged wheel designs offer extensive functional/aesthetic customisation.

Ownership & After-Sales

  • 7-Year Genuine Maintenance programme (global) covers all scheduled servicing with factory parts and Ferrari-trained technicians

  • Hybrid warranty: 5-year coverage on hybrid components

  • Warranty Extension Hybrid: factory-backed comprehensive coverage up to 8 years with HVB pack replacement at no cost when extending to year 8

  • Power Hybrid: extends major powertrain (incl. hybrid) coverage from years 8–16, with HVB replacement at no cost at year 16

Tristan Gibbons
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