A Famous Name Returns
Bringing back the Testarossa name was always going to attract attention. The original became one of the defining supercars of the 1980s, so using that badge again comes with a huge amount of expectation.
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider is not trying to recreate the past, though. Instead, it takes one of Ferrari’s most recognisable names and applies it to a thoroughly modern plug-in hybrid supercar producing an incredible 1,036bhp.
It is a clear sign that Ferrari still sees plenty of life in the internal combustion engine, particularly when it is supported by electric motors and some extremely clever technology.
Performance and Powertrain
Sitting behind the cabin is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, supported by three electric motors. Together, they produce the sort of performance figures that are difficult to fully appreciate until you experience them.
The 849 Testarossa Spider can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.3 seconds. It is not simply quick. The way it gathers speed is genuinely relentless, and on a typical British road you need to show a great deal of restraint.
The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is incredibly fast, delivering changes almost instantly when you ask for them. Ferrari has also done an impressive job of blending the electric motors with the petrol engine. The transition from quiet electric driving to the V8 firing into life feels smooth and well controlled.
Of course, the V8 remains the main event. With the roof lowered, the sound becomes a much bigger part of the experience, particularly as the revs rise and the engine comes alive behind you.
Handling and Driving Experience
With a complex hybrid system and a battery pack on board, it would be easy to assume the 849 Testarossa Spider might feel heavy or slightly detached. Somehow, Ferrari has managed to make it feel remarkably agile.
The latest generation of Ferrari’s Side Slip Control system is constantly working in the background, helping the car find traction and giving the driver confidence without making the experience feel completely artificial.
Even on damp and uneven British roads, the car feels composed. There is an enormous amount of grip available, while the steering is incredibly quick and accurate. It is perhaps lighter than some traditional Ferrari enthusiasts might prefer, but there is no questioning how responsive it feels.
You only need to make a small steering input and the car reacts immediately. Considering the level of performance available, it feels far more approachable than you might expect, although it is never a car that allows you to forget how much power you have under your right foot.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the 849 Testarossa Spider feels every bit as special as you would expect from a Ferrari costing close to half a million pounds.
The quality of the materials is excellent, with leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre used throughout the cabin. The driving position is low and purposeful, while the overall layout makes you feel like you are sitting at the centre of the car.
There are, however, some frustrations.
Ferrari continues to use touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, and they are not always as intuitive as traditional buttons. Something as simple as adjusting a setting or changing the audio while driving can require more concentration than it should.
It is a shame because the rest of the cabin feels so carefully considered. In a car this fast, the controls should ideally be easy to find and operate without taking your attention away from the road.
Practicality is also limited, although that should hardly come as a surprise. There is enough luggage space for a carefully packed overnight stay, but anyone planning a longer trip will need to travel light.
Electric Driving
Despite being a plug-in hybrid, the 849 Testarossa Spider is not designed to replace a sensible electric car for the daily commute.
Its electric-only range is around 16 miles, which is enough for short local journeys or leaving home quietly in the morning. It also allows the car to move through towns and residential areas without using the petrol engine.
The electrical system is really there to improve performance, responsiveness and control rather than to dramatically reduce running costs. It fills any gaps in the V8’s power delivery and helps provide immediate acceleration whenever the driver asks for it.
Price and Ownership
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider starts from around £485,000, placing it firmly in the highest reaches of the supercar market.
That is before you begin looking through Ferrari’s extensive options list. Special paint finishes, carbon-fibre components and personalisation choices can quickly add a significant amount to the final price.
Fuel, tyres, insurance and servicing will naturally be expensive, although buyers at this level are unlikely to be surprised by that. Ferrari ownership has never been about saving money. It is about buying into the theatre, performance and sense of occasion that come with the badge.
Final Thoughts
The Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider is an extraordinary demonstration of what can be achieved when a powerful V8 is combined with modern hybrid technology.
It is brutally fast, beautifully designed and far more controlled and manageable than its performance figures might suggest. The interior controls can be frustrating and the price is astronomical, but neither of those things is likely to matter much when the roof is down and the V8 is working hard behind you.
Bringing back the Testarossa name was a bold decision, but Ferrari has created something that feels special enough to wear it.
