The 2027 Ferrari 849 Testarossa marks a significant evolution in Ferrari’s high-performance lineup, stepping in as the spiritual and mechanical successor to the formidable SF90. While Ferrari emphasizes its core as an ‘SF90 Evo’ in terms of hardware, the return of the legendary Testarossa nameplate signifies a renewed ambition to inspire wonder and push the boundaries of performance in a standard production car.

At its heart, the 849 Testarossa retains a plug-in hybrid powertrain, centered around a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, now delivering an impressive 819 hp at 7,500 rpm (up from the SF90’s 769 hp). This internal combustion engine is augmented by a trio of electric motors: two managing the front wheels and one supporting the rear axle, collectively providing all-wheel drive and advanced torque vectoring. The electric component contributes 217 bhp, limited by a 7.45kWh lithium-ion battery, culminating in a staggering total system output of 1,035 horsepower. To achieve this power uplift, the V8 features bigger turbos with low-friction bearings from the F80, chunkier intercoolers, new cylinder heads, a different block, revised intake plenums, valvetrain, and fuel rail, alongside titanium fastenings and parts derived from the 296 GT3, ensuring no added weight compared to the SF90. Power is channeled through an eight-speed F1-style paddleshifted gearbox, refined for faster, more emotional shifts and an even more sonorous exhaust note.

The performance figures are nothing short of breathtaking: 0-62mph in a claimed 2.25 seconds and 0-124mph in 6.3 seconds. On Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, it posted a lap time of 1m 17.5s, making it approximately 1.5 seconds quicker than the SF90 and just a fifth of a second off the track-focused SF90 XX. Despite this immense power, Ferrari insists on an element of comfort and daily drivability, offering a pure electric range of 25km and various driving modes from settled to extreme. Over 130mph, the car transitions to rear-wheel drive only.

Design-wise, the 849 Testarossa features a confident, aggressive stance that some find divisive but undeniably impactful. It subtly references Ferrari icons like the F80, Daytona, and 308. Key styling elements include a double-tiered front with aero flicks and a black horizontal mask integrating the headlights, giving it a contemporary yet familial Ferrari look. The side profile is characterized by deep channels carved into the door tops, crucial for feeding the larger intercoolers required for the increased power output. The car requires 15 percent more cooling than the SF90 and generates 415kg of downforce at 155mph. Perhaps the most notable design innovation is the ‘twin-tail’ rear, featuring pontoon-like arches that feed into a pair of static winglets (technically part of the rear bumpers), supplemented by an active central spoiler that deploys for higher downforce. This rear design, along with two of the three spoilers, is explicitly inspired by the 1970 Ferrari 512 S race car.

Technological advancements abound, aimed at making the car more predictable and manageable. It features Side Slip Control version 9.0, advanced traction control, an eDiff, SCM, FDE 2.0 EPS, and ABS Evo. A standout innovation is FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator), a real-time estimation system that models the car’s dynamic behavior, essentially creating a digital twin to predict driver intent and adjust vehicle parameters via torque vectoring and the ABS module. This system also enhances braking consistency, a critical feature for a high-performance hybrid.

The interior has been refreshed for comfort and a pared-back aesthetic, featuring a proper start button and switches on the steering wheel, with the driver display being the sole screen. Ergonomic improvements are present throughout. For enthusiasts seeking the ultimate track experience, the Assetto Fiorano package is available for both coupe and Spider variants. This optional package includes more aggressive nose flicks and double-height twin-tail elements, racy single-phase Multimatic suspension with a welcome nose-lift system (a new feature for this trim), extensive carbon fiber components for a 30kg weight reduction (including wheels and lightweight tubular seats), and specific Michelin Cup2 tires. The Testarossa Spider features a folding metal hardtop, adding approximately 90kg to the weight. Pricing starts at €460,000 for the Coupe and €500,000 for the Spider, with the Assetto Fiorano package costing an additional €52,500.

The name “849 Testarossa” holds historical significance. “Testa Rosa” (red head) in Italian refers to the red valve covers of the 1950s 500 TR race car. The ‘8’ in ‘849’ denotes the eight cylinders, and ‘49’ represents the cubic centimeters of displacement per cylinder, totaling a 4.0-liter engine. This new model continues a legacy of being near the very top of Ferrari’s range, following an iconic lineage of 'TR' and 'Testarossa' models including the 1956 500 TR, 1957 250 Testa Rossa (a Le Mans winner), and the generation-defining 1984 Ferrari Testarossa. While the new 849 Testarossa unapologetically looks to the future in its design, it aims to carry the torch of its legendary predecessors in an increasingly competitive electrified supercar landscape, standing against rivals like the Lamborghini Revuelto and Aston Martin Valhalla.