New Ferrari 849 Testarossa

Legendary name returns for most powerful production ferrari ever

The new supercar which replaces the SF90 Stradale becomes the company's most powerful series-production model producing 1035bhp, which is 49bhp more than its predecessor, and it can accelerate to 62mph in 2.35 seconds, eventually reaching speeds of 'more than' 205mph.

In addition to its increased power, advancements in the car's aerodynamics and chassis electronics enable the 849 Testarossa to complete a lap of Ferrari's Fiorano test track in 1 minute 17.5 seconds. This is 1.2 seconds faster than the SF90 Stradale and only 0.2 seconds slower than the limited-series SF90 XX Stradale. 

The Assetto Fiorano package, available from the beginning of sales, reduces the car's dry weight by 30kg from 1570kg and includes track-oriented enhancements to the suspension, tires, and body.

This dry weight remains the same as the SF90 Stradale, due to incremental weight-saving measures throughout the vehicle that counteract the approximately 20kg added by new body and driveline modifications. The spider version is 90kg heavier.

The mid-engined 849 Testarossa's design marks a significant shift from its predecessor. The front features a striking, full-width design recently seen on the F80 and 12Cilindri, while the rear showcases two impressive spoilers inspired by Ferrari's sports prototype racers from the early 1970s.

The exterior of the new bodywork is remarkable for its dramatic side intake vents, integrated into the doors, which supply large intercoolers sourced from the F80. These aluminum panels took two years to produce due to the complexity of shaping them.

Cooling was a significant challenge for the project. The intercoolers have 20% more surface area than those in the SF90 Stradale, and the front intakes are also considerably larger. Additionally, there are new oil coolers.

The new body extends the 849 Testarossa by 8mm compared to the SF90 Stradale. It also increases the car's downforce by 25% at 150 mph, largely due to the effective underbody outwash and the new diffuser.

Mechanically, the car remains mostly unchanged from the plug-in hybrid SF90 it replaces. Beneath the body, it features the same driveline, with a 3990cc twin-turbocharged V8 working alongside two independently controlled electric motors on the front axle and another between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The system now produces 49bhp more than before, partly due to larger-diameter fixed-geometry turbochargers with low-friction bearings, inspired by those in the F80. Additionally, there's an 'innovative' heat shield for the turbine casing, drawing insights from the 296 GT3 racing in the World Endurance Championship.

Further updates have been applied to the cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, intake plenums, valvetrain, and the fuel rail. The crankshaft is lighter and new, and titanium screws have been used throughout.

The high-exiting exhaust tract is also 10% longer and features larger ducts to enhance the sound of the 'Tipo F154' engine. Contributing to this effort is the increased redline, now 300rpm higher at 8300rpm.

This engine alone generates 818bhp and 621lbft. The electric motors' combined output is capped at 217bhp at any given time, as the 7.5kWh battery, positioned against the rear bulkhead and providing approximately 18 miles of range in EV mode, cannot support a higher draw.

Elsewhere, the brake system has been enhanced from the SF90 Stradale, featuring larger carbon-ceramic discs and redesigned calipers from Brembo. The regenerative braking calibration has been refined to offer more feedback and consistency as the system integrates retardation from the electric motors with the physical brakes. The 849 Testarossa is said to stop one metre sooner from 62mph than its predecessor.

UK pricing is expected to start at around £400,000 for the coupé and £430,000 for the spider, with the Assetto Fiorano package adding a further £45,000.

The coupé deliveries are scheduled to begin next spring, while the convertible Spider version will be available in the autumn.