Say “Testarossa” to any car enthusiast and it instantly conjures up the 1980s - the wedge-shaped silhouette, Miami Vice posters, and one of the most recognisable Ferraris ever made.
Now, Ferrari has brought the name back for a new era. The 849 Testarossa was unveiled at a private event in Milan, and it’s the most powerful series-production road car the brand has ever built.
Under the skin, it uses Ferrari’s latest plug-in hybrid system. The numbers are staggering: 1,035bhp, 0–62mph in just 2.35 seconds, and a top speed of over 205mph. Prices will start just under £400,000, before optional extras.
Despite the famous badge, the design doesn’t echo the original in the way some fans might hope. There are no pop-up headlights, no sweeping side strakes, and no vast rear grille. Instead, Ferrari says the car combines “futuristic” styling with nods to its heritage.
Some of those touches include:
- A twin-tail rear wing inspired by the 1970s 512 S racer, providing 10% of the car’s downforce.
- Sharp, geometric lines that reference the 512 Testarossa of 1991.
- Large side intake vents feeding huge intercoolers.
The 849 is more of an evolution than a clean-sheet design. It replaces the SF90 and shares much of its engineering, including the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with three electric motors. Together, they deliver that four-figure power output. The battery provides an electric-only range of up to 18 miles.
Ferrari claims the new bodywork boosts aerodynamics, with 25% more downforce at 150mph compared to the SF90.
Inside, the layout is pared back. There’s no central infotainment screen – instead, drivers get a fully digital instrument cluster, while passengers have a slim display of their own. A retro-inspired touch is the gated-style shifter, which now controls the automatic gearbox rather than a manual one.
Deliveries of the coupe begin in Europe in spring 2026 at a price of €460,000 (approx. £398,250). The Spider version follows later that year, costing €500,000 (£432,900). For those chasing track performance, the Assetto Fiorano package adds upgrades to suspension, tyres, and bodywork while trimming 30kg from the weight.
The name “Testarossa” may be the headline, but the car itself is very much a product of today - brutally fast, technologically advanced, and aimed at a new generation of Ferrari buyers.
