Sitting atop Ferrari’s range (F80 excluded, of course), the 849 Testarossa pairs a 4.0-liter dry sump twin-turbo V8 that alone produces a formidable 830 horsepower. The F154FC engine carries over the existing displacement but features new turbochargers, cylinder heads, engine block, exhaust manifolds, and more. It’s then supplemented by three electric motors, a high-voltage battery, and an inverter that bring a further 220 horsepower to the table. Ultimately, the 1,050 horsepower is a record for a production Ferrari model. Moreover, this enables it to have on-demand all-wheel drive and torque vectoring. And with a 7.45-kWh lithium-ion battery, the 849 Testarossa can be driven on pure electric mode for up to 25 kilometers.

Performance numbers are impressive: 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.3 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 6.35 seconds, while braking from 200 km/h covers just 108 meters.

Like every other Ferrari before it, the 849 Testarossa recognizes that the exhaust note forms a big part of the car’s character and for that, engineers have paid careful attention to “enhance the bright tones” of the combustion at high speed, while also “enriching the purity” of the low and mid-range speeds. Even the gear shift is programmed to trigger this sound by optimizing the sequence of actuations and the pressure in the combustion chamber to maximize sound intensity during lift off.

Handling that additional power, Ferrari improved its Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator or FIVE digital system. It defines feedback through five indicators: lateral, and longitudinal acceleration; gearchange; braking; and sound. This enables the 849 Testarossa to produce a “digital twin” of itself in real time and using complex mathematical formulas, can improve the performance of its on-board vehicle systems making it more precise and repeatable. New tires, specifically developed for the 849 Testarossa from Michelin, Pirelli, or Bridgestone measure 265/35R20 at the front and 325/30R20 at the back.

The 849 Testarossa’s style is inspired by aeronautics and sports prototypes of the 1970s. It uses clean, sculpted surfacing all through out. Of course, aerodynamics plays a key role in the overall look with the doors being employed as an aerodynamic duct. The rear pays homage to the 512 S and its two tails. It also has an active rear wing and a full-width diffuser. Contrasting black elements, a vertical one at the side, feeds air into the intercooler, while the horizontal one up front is a styling theme also found in the 12Cilindri (read our first drive) and the F80.

Despite the lack of visible aero appendages, the 849 Testarossa generates some 415 kilograms of downforce load at 250 km/h—an increase of 25 kilograms over the SF90 Stradale, while improving cooling by 15 percent. Most of the downforce is generated by the front underfloor (35 percent)—a trick no doubt learned in Formula 1. The active rear wing, in High Downforce mode, produces 100 kilograms of downward force. Likewise, the radiators have an “asymmetric geometry” fed by a larger side intercooler. The hybrid system’s temperature is kept in check by the frontal air intakes.

A convertible, the 849 Testarossa Spider is also available, which can drop its roof at speeds at up to 45 km/h in just 14 seconds, as is a hardcore Assetto Fiorano version that shaves 30 kilograms of unsprung weight thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber and titanium. The Assetto Fiorano also dons specific aero elements, including two twin rear wings that replace the twin tails.

Inside, the 849 Testarossa features a horizontal dashboard with a contrasting band that separates the main controls and passenger screen, and two architectural “sails” that incorporate the controls. The F80-inspired gate is found in the sail on the steering wheel side. And despite its single-seater feel, accessibility has been improved for everyone aboard by reducing the width of the door panel bottom and the adjacent areas, thus freeing up additional space for the rear bench and the passenger-side glove box.

The steering wheel itself integrates digital and analogue functions including the Engine Start button, while the digital gauge cluster allows for quick access of the electric driving modes. Connectivity is guaranteed by compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while wireless charging for smartphones is integrated into the central tunnel.

The 849 Testarossa features fully configurable ADAS such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Automatic Emergency Braking with Cyclist Detection, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Automatic High Beam, Traffic Sign Recognition, Surround View, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and driver fatigue monitoring for safety.