Catching a brand-new supercar on the streets is always a special moment, especially so soon after its debut. Just two weeks after its official unveiling, the Ferrari 849 Testarossa has already been spotted out in Barcelona during what looks like a photoshoot. Seeing a car in press photos is one thing, but witnessing it out in the wild is always different, it brings the design to life in a way no studio shot ever can.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen polarizing designs in the supercar world. Think back to when the McLaren Senna or the BMW M3 G80 first broke cover, people were shocked, divided, and quick to criticize. Yet over time, those same designs grew on enthusiasts and are now widely respected. Ferrari is now facing the same challenge: creating something bold in a world where expectations are sky-high, especially without the legendary touch of Pininfarina.
The Design: Edges from the past, with a modern twist
The 849 Testarossa embraces a sharp, edgy aesthetic that throws back to the 1980s and 90s, the golden era of automotive design for many. Cars like the Ferrari F40, the original Testarossa, the Lamborghini Countach, and the McLaren F1 defined that time, and the new Testarossa clearly tries to tap into that spirit.
From certain angles, you can spot hints of Ferrari’s recent Daytona SP3 in the rear proportions. But upfront, the design pays its clearest tribute to the 1984 Testarossa, with its angular nose and bold stance. Still, that’s about where the homage ends. The iconic side strakes that defined the original are gone, replaced instead by high-placed shoulder vents. Pop-up headlights, another Testarossa hallmark, are no longer possible due to pedestrian safety regulations. Even details like the mirror placement have been modernized, missing opportunities for subtle callbacks to the classic.
The rear end, meanwhile, feels completely detached from the original Testarossa’s design DNA. In many ways, the only true nod is the edgy front end, while the rest stands as a modern Ferrari with just the name tying it back to its heritage.
Missing the Italian spark
For all its sharpness, something seems to be missing, the intangible Italian flair. It’s the kind of flair that makes you want to pinch your fingers together, say “Ferrari” in the most Italian accent, and smile. Imagine if this car had gone all-in with heritage cues: proper side strakes, mirrors perched dramatically on the windows, maybe even a gated shifter. That would have been a spine-tingling revival. Instead, the 849 Testarossa plays it safe with selective nods, leaving enthusiasts wanting more.
Performance: The numbers don’t lie
Where the 849 Testarossa leaves no room for debate is performance. Positioned as the successor to the SF90 Stradale, it takes Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid V8 formula to the next level.
• Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 + electric motors
• Power: 1,050 PS (vs. 1,000 PS in the SF90)
• 0-100 km/h: 2.3 seconds (0.2s quicker than the SF90)
The SF90 was already a benchmark, but the Testarossa raises the bar with both more power and better acceleration. On the road or track, this is a Ferrari that unquestionably delivers.
A trend of homages
One curious detail is the blacked-out nose treatment, a styling cue Ferrari is starting to repeat. First seen on the 12Cilindri (a proper homage to the 365 GTB/4 Daytona), then on the F80, it now appears here as well. While it suited the 12Cilindri’s retro-inspired look, its necessity on the Testarossa is questionable, especially since the original never had it.
This highlights a broader trend: Ferrari seems to be leaning heavily into design callbacks. The 12Cilindri, 849 Testarossa, and F80 all borrow from past icons. While nostalgia works brilliantly for the Icona series, the Monza SP and Daytona SP3 being clear standouts, should every new Ferrari wear a retro influence? Cars like the SF90 and 296 proved that Ferrari can still create bold, modern designs with their own language.
Final thoughts
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa is a stunning machine, both in performance and presence. Yet when it comes to design, it feels caught between two worlds: a desire to revive the glory of the past while trying to forge a new identity. For purists, the name “Testarossa” carries so much weight that the car was always going to be judged by its resemblance, or lack thereof, to the original.
Ferrari has shown with cars like the Monza and Daytona SP3 that it still knows how to capture magic. The 849 Testarossa is fast, sharp, and aggressive, but whether it truly embodies the soul of its legendary ancestor is a question that will divide enthusiasts for years to come.
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