- Ferrari has introduced the 849 Testarossa, which succeeds the SF90 Stradale
- The 849 Testarossa is a plug-in hybrid, churning out 1035 bhp with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and three e-motors
- The Testarossa nameplate was first introduced in 1956 on the Ferrari 500 TR and was subsequently bestowed upon the Le Mans-winning 250 TR and certain 1980s icons
- Prices start at $850,000AUD before ORC, with Australian deliveries expected in 2026
The Prancing Horse is bringing back one its most iconic nameplates. Arriving as a successor to the outgoing SF90 Stradale, the new 849 Testarossa is a plug-in hybrid that improves upon the four-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain system used in the SF90 Stradale and introduces a design language that’s simultaneously fresh and referential.
The 849 Testarossa churns out a whopping 1035 bhp, courtesy of a mid-rear twin-turbo V8 mated to three electric motors; the two e-motors on the front axle comprise the electronic cornering set-up regulator system and provide on-demand all-wheel drive and torque-vectoring capabilities, while the e-motor on the rear axle supports the V8. An evolution of the technology introduced in the SF90 Stradale, the 849 Testarossa is fitted with the largest turbocharger on a Ferrari production car, enabling powerful acceleration that translates to a 0 to 100km/h time of sub 2.3 seconds.
Improvements in vehicle dynamics and feedback come in the form of a brake-by-wire system and ABS Evo controller, as well as an upgraded damper and spring setup with an overall weight reduction in components, offering better body control and a more immersive driver experience. Further to that, the weight reduction means the 849 Testarossa boasts the best power-to-weight ratio of any range model in the Ferrari stable, with the performance upgrade over the outgoing SF90 Stradale coming without an increase in weight.
Fans of Prancing Horses of yesteryear will be pleased to spot design cues that draw from Sports Prototypes from the 1970s, interpreted through a contemporary racing lens of sharp, geometric lines and accompanied by aerodynamic enhancements that deliver not-insignificant gains in airforce and downflow over its predecessor. The double-tiered front features an aero flick and combines with the bottom bumper to horizontally flank the grille like an open mouth.
The side profile is defined by a strong, sculpted channel carved into the upper element of the door, transforming it into an aerodynamic duct. It leads into the flicked double-tail rear (a feature inspired by the 512 S) which flanks the exhaust pipes.
Inside, it’s classic Ferrari with a cockpit-style interior, albeit with ergonomic improvements. The dashboard controls remain digital, however there is a proper power button on the steering wheel (we’ll thank the Amalfi for bringing that back). Interiors come in either comfort or carbon-fibre options, with the latter a more sporty variation.
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa will be available in several configurations, with the marque also introducing two new shades: Rosso Fiammante and Giallo Ambra.
Ferrari has also introduced a Spider version alongside the mainline 849 Testarossa. The 849 Testarossa Spider has a folding metal hardtop which is accompanied by a 90kg weight increase (though adding the Assetto Fiorano package takes off some of those extra kilos).
While full pricing details haven’t been confirmed, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa is set to be priced around $850,000AUD (before ORC) and will arrive down under in the second half of 2026.
Words by Henry Blake
