Ferrari 849 Testarossa

Ferrari 849 Testarossa at a glance

The 849 Testarossa takes over from the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Ferrari's first series-production plug-in hybrid. All models are listed in the Ferrari catalogue.

Development and reveal

The 849 Testarossa was unveiled to the public on 9 September 2025. Like the SF90 before it, it is a mid-engined plug-in hybrid with a V8 and electric front axle drive, but it was developed as a new model with its own type code, F173M. The design is the work of the Ferrari Styling Centre under Flavio Manzoni. Production in Maranello was planned to start in the middle of 2026.

Two body styles were presented: the berlinetta coupé and the 849 Testarossa Spider with a retractable hard top. Both can be ordered with the Assetto Fiorano performance package. It adds two smaller wings, similar to those of the FXX-K track car, a larger front air dam, carbon fibre wheels and stiffer suspension, and, according to Ferrari, saves about 30 kg.

The name

The name combines a number and a legend. Following Ferrari's tradition, "8" stands for the eight cylinders and "49" for the displacement of each cylinder — about 499 cc, giving 3,990 cc in total. "Testarossa" ("red head") recalls the racing cars of the 1950s and 1960s such as the 500 TR of 1956 and the 250 Testa Rossa, and the Testarossa road car of 1984, one of the best-known Ferraris of its era.

Design

The 849 Testarossa uses the design language introduced on the Ferrari F80, which itself draws on the old Daytona. Ferrari says much of the design, especially the rear, was inspired by the 512 S, its endurance racing prototype of the 1970s. The car is 4,718 mm long, 2,304 mm wide and only 1,225 mm high, on a 2,650 mm wheelbase.

According to Autobuzz's report on the car's Asian debut, the 849 Testarossa produces 415 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, 25 kg more than the SF90, and its cooling efficiency is 15 per cent better. The aerodynamic package includes new channels under the front and rear of the car, twin rear wings, an active rear spoiler and reshaped side intakes.

Inside, the cockpit is focused on the driver, with a new gear selector on a central "keel" and a new steering wheel that combines mechanical buttons with touch controls. Alcantara and recycled aluminium are used throughout, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are standard.

The coupé and the Spider share the same basic proportions. The Spider's retractable hard top folds into the body, so the car can be driven as a closed coupé or an open roadster.

Engine and hybrid system

The heart of the car is the F154 FC 3,990 cc twin-turbo V8, which produces 610 kW (830 PS) and 842 Nm on its own. Three electric motors — two at the front and one at the rear — add about 162 kW (220 PS); CAR magazine gives 161 kW. The front motors make all-wheel drive available on demand and allow torque vectoring between the front wheels. Together the system delivers 772 kW (1,050 PS). Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the Magna 8DCL900.

The battery capacity is given as 6.5 kWh by Wikipedia and as 7.45 kWh by CAR magazine. On electricity alone the car can cover about 25 km (26 km according to Wikipedia), without emissions.

Chassis and brakes

The 849 Testarossa uses carbon-ceramic brakes with discs of 410 mm at the front and 372 mm at the rear. According to the figures published by CAR magazine, it stops from 100 km/h in 28.5 metres and from 200 km/h in 108 metres.

Driving and electronics

Compared with the SF90, the total output rises by about 37 kW (50 PS), and Ferrari says the car is lighter than its predecessor. The gear-change logic of the dual-clutch gearbox was redesigned, and in Race mode the engine sound is given a stronger presence in the cabin. The chassis electronics, including the ABS Evo braking system, are coordinated by Ferrari's FIVE vehicle dynamics system. Depending on the market, the car is delivered on tyres from Michelin, Pirelli or Bridgestone.

The Assetto Fiorano version is aimed at owners who also drive on circuits. Besides the lighter parts and the extra wings, it can be ordered with lightweight racing seats and a special track-inspired paint scheme in Bianco Cervino or Rosso Corsa.

Price

The Italian magazine auto.it lists the 849 Testarossa Spider at €500,000 including VAT in Italy for the 2026 model year.

Legacy and place in the range

The 849 Testarossa continues the line that began with the SF90 Stradale: a mid-engined V8 plug-in hybrid at the top of Ferrari's regular range. By reviving the Testarossa name, Ferrari linked its newest technology to a model that defined the brand in the 1980s. The history of the company is told in our history of Ferrari.

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