Ferrari revives Testarossa name with 849 plug-in hybrid producing 1,035bhp

Ferrari on Tuesday evening in Milan unveiled the 849 Testarossa, reviving one of the marque’s most famous nameplates and positioning the model as its most powerful series‑production road car to date. The plug‑in hybrid powertrain produces a combined 1,035 brake horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 2.35 seconds and, according to the company, will exceed 205 mph at top speed.

The 849 retains the mid‑engined layout and the mechanical basis of the SF90 that it replaces, but introduces new bodywork, aerodynamics and interior packaging. The combustion element is a 3.9‑litre twin‑turbocharged V8 rated at 818 bhp, augmented by three electric motors that add 217 bhp; energy is stored in a 7.45 kWh lithium‑ion battery that Ferrari says enables up to 18 miles of electric‑only driving. Drive is routed through an eight‑speed dual‑clutch automatic gearbox.

Ferrari said the 849 is effectively a re‑engineering of the SF90 package rather than an all‑new platform; the coupé shares the same dry weight as the SF90, while the open‑top Spider is 90 kilograms heavier. Aerodynamic changes — including a redesigned floor and a new diffuser — yield 25 percent more downforce at 150 mph, and the body is 8 mm longer than its predecessor. Large side intake vents accommodate intercoolers for the high‑output powertrain, and Ferrari noted that complex aluminium body panels required two years to develop and begin production.

Chief designer Flavio Manzoni, speaking at the unveiling, described the design as “futuristic yet deeply historically rooted.” The new model does not replicate hallmark visual cues of the 1984 Testarossa road car such as side strakes, pop‑up headlights or the large rear grille, but Ferrari highlighted elements that reference its past, including a twin‑tail wing that echoes the seventies 512 S racer and sharp, geometric lines said to recall the 1991 512 Testarossa.

Ferrari explained the model designation as a nod to technical heritage: the "8" signifies the eight‑cylinder engine and "49" refers to the engine’s displacement expressed in decilitres. The company acknowledged that reactions to the visual departure from the original Testarossa would vary among enthusiasts.

Inside, Ferrari has departed from a traditional stacked dashboard and omitted a central infotainment touchscreen. The driver receives information via a digital instrument cluster while the passenger is provided a letterbox‑style display. A gated manual‑shifter motif has been reinterpreted as a control for the automatic gearbox.

The 849’s hybrid system consists of the high‑revving V8 combined with three electric motors: two dedicated to the front wheels and one assisting the rear axle. Combined electric output is 217 bhp. The 7.45 kWh battery gives short‑distance electric capability, intended for low‑speed or urban use, and Ferrari retains combustion‑dominant operation for high performance.

Pricing in Europe for the coupé starts at €460,000, with the Spider listed at €500,000; Ferrari said first deliveries of the coupé will begin in spring 2026 while the Spider will follow in autumn 2026. An optional Assetto Fiorano package, aimed at track use, is priced at €52,500 and reduces dry weight by about 30 kg through focused suspension, tyre and bodywork changes.

Ferrari framed the 849 as the latest expression of its transition toward high‑performance electrified vehicles while maintaining combustion‑engine character. The model succeeds the SF90 in Ferrari’s lineup and represents the marque’s current approach to blending internal combustion power with electric assistance for both peak performance and limited zero‑emission operation.

The Testarossa name traces to Ferrari’s 1950s race cars and is best known for the 1984 road car that became an emblem of 1980s supercar design. Ferrari has used historic nameplates in recent years as it extends electrified powertrains across its range. The company did not publish U.K. pricing at the unveiling and said bespoke options and customization, long a part of its business model, will affect final purchase prices and delivery specifications.