Ferrari just resurrected one of its most famous nameplates, and the 849 Testarossa couldn’t care less about your ’80s nostalgia. Instead, Ferrari has built a 1,050hp hybrid monster that happens to share a name with the poster car that defined a decade. The “redhead” moniker returns because this is now the most powerful car in Ferrari’s regular lineup, not because anyone was clamoring for a Testarossa revival.
More Powerful Than Ever
The 849 Testarossa replaces the SF90 Stradale as Ferrari’s flagship hybrid, and the upgrades run deeper than the nameplate suggests. Where the SF90 generated 986hp, this new machine cranks out 1,050 horses through a completely re-engineered 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with three electric motors. The combustion engine alone now produces 830hp — a 50-horse bump over its predecessor — thanks to larger turbochargers borrowed from the F80 and extensive weight-saving measures throughout the drivetrain.
The heart of this machine draws heavily from Ferrari’s Formula 1 experience, particularly in the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit, Kinetic) rear motor that supplements the twin front-mounted electric units. The same technology that helps Lewis Hamilton harvest energy under braking at Monza now helps everyday drivers (albeit very wealthy ones) achieve previously impossible acceleration figures. The 849 Testarossa rockets from 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, with the quarter-mile likely falling somewhere in the low nines when independent testing begins.
Bold Predictions
Ferrari’s engineers haven’t just thrown more power at the problem, though. The new FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator) system creates a digital twin of the car in real-time, predicting what you’re about to ask of the machine and preparing the traction control, differential, and all-wheel-drive systems accordingly. This kind of predictive technology represents a fundamental shift in how supercars manage their enormous capabilities, moving beyond reactive systems toward anticipatory intelligence.
The aerodynamic package deserves particular attention. Those dramatic twin-tail spoilers are functional elements inspired by the 1970 Ferrari 512 S race car. Combined with the active rear wing and completely redesigned front underfloor, the 849 Testarossa generates 915lbs of downforce at 155mph, a 55-pound increase over the SF90. The cooling improvements are equally impressive, with 30% more airflow reaching the intercoolers and an 18% larger front air opening managing the increased thermal load from that more powerful engine.
Still Poster-Worthy
While the original Testarossa was famous for its horizontal side strakes, this new interpretation takes a completely different approach. The vertical side intake dominates the flanks, feeding air to both the intercooler and rear brakes while creating a decidedly modern aesthetic. The front-end graphic borrows from Ferrari’s current design language, with a bridge-like element connecting the headlights that we’ve seen on the F80 and 12Cilindri.
Inside, Ferrari has addressed one of the SF90’s biggest complaints by replacing touch-sensitive steering wheel controls with proper physical buttons. The gear selector takes inspiration from the F80, sitting prominently on the center console like a miniature gated manual shifter. There’s no central infotainment screen — everything runs through the driver display, keeping focus where it belongs.
The Assetto Fiorano Wild Card
For those who find 1,050hp insufficient, there’s also the Assetto Fiorano package that sheds 66lbs through carbon fiber wheels and lightweight seats while adding fixed Multimatic dampers and twin rear wings that triple the downforce compared to the standard twin tails. This is a legitimate track-focused variant that bridges the gap between road car and race machine.
Spec Sheet
Model: 849 Testarossa Coupe/Spider
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8 + 3 electric motors
Total Power: 1,050hp
0-62 mph: 2.3 seconds
Top Speed: 205+ mph
Electric Range: 15 miles
Weight: 3,461 lbs (dry, coupe)
Pricing & Availability
With deliveries beginning in mid-2026 for the coupe and Q3 2026 for the Spider, the 849 Testarossa starts at €460,000 (~$540,000) and €500,000 (~$586,000) respectively, with the Assetto Fiorano package adding approximately $62,000 to either variant. U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect numbers in that same range.
Recap
Ferrari 849 Testarossa
Ferrari revives the Testarossa name as a 1,050-horsepower hybrid supercar that replaces the SF90 Stradale with a more powerful twin-turbo V8, three electric motors, and advanced aerodynamics that generate 915lbs of downforce.
