Ferrari explored pop-up headlights for the new 849 Testarossa, a feature enthusiasts have long desired. The design pulls directly from the boxy 512 S and 512 M race prototypes. The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa, positioned as the follow-up to the SF90 Stradale, has stirred up no shortage of argument over the way it looks, and the debate has been loud enough to nearly drown out the rest of the car. Had Maranello used the occasion to bring back one of the signatures that defined its cars through the 1970s and 1980s, the response from the faithful might have skewed a good deal warmer than it has.
During the recent international launch of the hybrid supercar, Ferrari designer Jason Furtado revealed that his team explored the idea of adding pop-up headlights to the car. It would have let the 849 pay tribute to cars like the 288 GTO and F40, but regulatory requirements made it too difficult to pull off. Speaking with CarExpert, Furtado explained that the 849 Testarossa has to meet standards in every market where it is sold, and the rules across different countries rule out hidden lamps entirely. Ferrari still managed a loose reference to the old setup, using slim lights set inside a black bar that stretches the width of the supercar’s fascia.
Related: Honda adds Type R flair to Kei Van
The car is built on a new platform that favors a boxier shape. Furtado noted that this marked a shift in Ferrari design toward boxier shapes, away from the flowing designs with which it is perhaps best associated. Just like the Luce, it seems some people love the design of the 849 Testarossa, while others hate it. Despite criticism leveled against the company, Furtado added that Ferrari isn’t interested in playing things safe. “I think it’s more important to really set a new trend rather than playing it safe,” he said. “We have to make a new desirable object for the imagination.”
Performance Details
In terms of performance, there’s no denying that the 849 Testarossa is hugely desirable. Like the SF90, it uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, albeit with new cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, and turbochargers. This engine delivers 819 hp and works alongside three electric motors, delivering a combined 1,035 hp through all four wheels. This gives it more than enough power to help owners forget about the looks.