Ferrari 849 Testarossa Review: Road and Track Performance

A Bold Return for the Testarossa Name

• 🚀 The 849 Testarossa aims to be more than just an update to the SF90 Stradale, seeking to live up to the legendary Testarossa name.
• ✨ It features a bold new exterior aesthetic and a more tactile interior, exuding a confident "main character energy" that evokes the iconic 1980s Testarossa.
• 💡 The interior design is praised for its cohesiveness, with highlights like the return of the proper start-stop button and a striking, floating gear selector.

Driving Dynamics on Road and Track

• 🛣️ On the road in Andalusia, the Testarossa offers an excellent ride and confidence-inspiring steering with more weight than expected.
• ⚡ The plug-in hybrid system, with three electric motors, allows for 15 miles of pure EV range using only the front axle.
• 🏎️ On the Monteblanco circuit, the car's full potential is unleashed, showcasing incredible pace with a 0-62mph time of just 2.25 seconds.

The Heart of the Beast: V8 Power and Hybrid Tech

• 🔥 The 4-liter V8 engine, producing 819 horsepower, is complemented by larger turbochargers and an e4WD system, pushing the total output to 1036 horsepower.
• ⚙️ The engine revs to 8,300 RPM and features largest turbochargers fitted to a production road-going Ferrari, along with recycled aluminum castings.
• 🔋 In "Qualifying" mode on track, the car utilizes its full performance, though the battery will drain, designed to provide maximum output over a lap of the Nürburgring.

Assetto Fiorano Pack and Track Focus

• 💨 The optional Assetto Fiorano pack (£42,115) adds aerodynamic enhancements inspired by the 512 S, carbon wheels, and a choice of high-performance tires.
• 🛠️ This pack includes manually adjustable seats and steering column, stripped-out sound deadening (30kg lighter), and a titanium silencer for a more raw and vocal driving experience.
• 📈 The car achieves 415 kilos of downforce at 250 km/h, with significant improvements in cooling for intercoolers and rear brakes compared to the SF90.

Legacy and The Future of Ferrari

• 🌟 The Testarossa name has a rich history, dating back to the 1956 500 TRC and the iconic 250 Testarossa that dominated Le Mans.
• 💡 The 849 Testarossa is seen as the performance-oriented, technologically focused counterpart to the naturally aspirated Dodici Cilindri, completing Ferrari's pinnacle offerings.
• ✅ Ultimately, the 849 Testarossa is deemed more than a mere update, successfully blending road car comfort with track-focused performance, earning its place in the Ferrari lineage.