The New Redhead: The Ferrari 849 Testarossa Reminds Us That It Was Always About the Engine

The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa is being presented to the world. And in many ways, the supposedly enthusiast market is showing its limits of experience. They’re comparing this car to the most recent Testarossa they know—the V12 road car built from 1984 to 1996 and made famous by Miami Vice. In reality, the name goes much further back.

The Testarossa name for Ferrari has always been about the engines. According to legend, a race mechanic once had leftover red paint and used it on the cam covers of the car heading out. Contrary to popular belief, the Testa Rossa name was first used for Ferrari’s four-cylinder racing engines in the early 1950s.

Then came the now-legendary 12-cylinder engines and cars. The 250 Testa Rossa sports racing car, built from 1957 to 1961, also featured red cam covers. Only 33 were ever made, and it won Le Mans and other endurance races.

It’s important to note that, despite red being Ferrari’s iconic color, Enzo Ferrari actually preferred yellow for his cars. Red was simply assigned to Italy by the international racing rules of the time—Germany took silver, Britain took green.

The Testarossa name has appeared on four or five models, depending on whether you count variants. It has been used on four-cylinder engines, on V12s, and now, for the first time, on Ferrari’s award-winning family of V8 turbos—arguably the marque’s most emotional and race-oriented engines.

The powertrain comes directly from Ferrari’s multi-year dominance in the International Engine and Powertrain of the Year Awards. It is a four-liter internal combustion V8 supported by two turbochargers and three electric motors, producing 1,035 horsepower and achieving a 0–100 km/h sprint under 2.3 seconds. The hybrid power platform builds on the PHEV architecture of the SF90 Stradale. The three electric motors produce 220 CV in total: two on the front axle for torque vectoring and four-wheel drive, and one on the rear axle, derived from Formula One learnings.

This new model carries several superlatives. It has the largest turbocharger ever fitted to a Ferrari road car and is described as the boldest Ferrari yet. It also has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class and is already offered as both a coupe and a spider.

Turbocharging traditionally brings sudden power spikes, while electric power is known for instant but linear torque. Ferrari’s combination aims to make the 849 Testarossa something entirely new—providing even an increased electric-only mode for quiet departures when you don’t want to wake the neighbors.

Early drivers say the car forces a recalibration of intuition. You tend to shift earlier than needed if you rely on audible cues alone—the engine simply keeps pulling far longer than expected. Pair that with a 2.3-second 0–100 time and you quickly realize how fast you must respond.

Visually, the 849 is stunning, drawing from both past and future. The mass and flow of the front evoke classic road cars, while the twin-tail rear is unmistakably inspired by racing machines—think the 512 S. For those wanting more, the Assetto Fiorano package drops another 30 kilograms and adds exclusive livery options and aerodynamic enhancements.

This is a strong example of Ferrari’s stated philosophy taken to a new level. The brand has long said its job is to create “a Ferrari for every Ferraristi.” With the 849 Testarossa, they go further—creating a Ferrari for every passion, every memory, and every driving experience a Ferraristi seeks.