BANGKOK: Ferrari has officially launched its new 849 Testarossa in Bangkok, Thailand, to mark an evolution in its stable of hybrid supercar line-up.
The 849 is said to replace the SF90 Stradale by blending heritage, cutting-edge hybrid technology, and sculpted Italian design into a single package.
The Testarossa (red head in Italian), pays tribute to the red-painted cam covers of Ferrari’s iconic racing engines, particularly the 500TR (1956) and later in the Testarossa (1984) road model with a flat-12 engine.
The new Testarossa's “849” designation refers to the car’s eight-cylinder, V-configuration, engine while "49" signifies the almost 500cc of displacement per cylinder.
Externally, the 849 Testarossa reinterprets those classic design cues that are touted to be a modern take that combines sharp, geometric styling, drawing inspiration from the Italian sports car's prototypes.
With a 2,650mm wheelbase, the 849 comes measuring in at 4,718mm in length, 2,304mm in width and 1,225mm in height.
Meanwhile, it rolls 20-inch forged wheels that wear 265/35 (front) and 325/30 (rear) tyres, which partially hide its front 410mm and rear 372mm discs.
Further within its wheel arches is a dedicated suspension system that's said to be optimised for handling on the limit.
The increase in lateral performance compared to the SF90 Stradale is 3% more, thanks to the new tyres and specific setup, which also brought a 35% reduction in the weight of the springs.
The roll angle has also been reduced by 10%, improving the management of body motion and maximising aerodynamic benefits and dynamic camber.
The shock absorber damping has been further optimised through virtual and physical sessions, replicating both road and track driving.
The 849 displays a signature “twin-tail” rear architecture that's said to enhance aerodynamics and evoke the spirit of classic race-bred Ferraris.
Overall, the car is able to generate up to 415kg of downforce at 250kph, aided by a redesigned active rear spoiler and extensive underbody airflow management.
At the rear lies the 849's heart - a re-engineered 4.0-litre (3,990cc) twin-turbo V8 producing 830hp (+50hp) at 7,500rpm and 842Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.
The engine, while lying closer to the ground for a lower centre-of-gravity, is further supplemented by three electric motors (two on the front axle and a single e-motor for the rear) to bring its total systems output to 1,050hp.
Power is managed by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission before sending the proverbial twist to an advanced on-demand all-wheel-drive system, allowing the 849 to sprint from 0 to 100kph in under 2.3 seconds, before reaching a top speed of over 330kph.
The 163hp hybrid system includes a 7.45kWh lithium-ion battery that allows the 849 to travel silently up to 25km under pure electric driving in eDrive mode.
There are four selectable drive modes (eDrive, Hybrid, Performance and Qualify) that help to optimise performance for different conditions, and all are accessible via Ferrari’s eManettino control situated on the steering wheel.
Inside, the cockpit has been completely revamped with an enveloping, driver-centric layout that's been integrated with an F80-inspired gated gear shifter, new HMI (Human Machine Interface) and a steering wheel featuring tactile mechanical buttons.
Premium materials and modern touches, including wireless smartphone integration and MyFerrari Connect looks to blend technology with tradition.
Those seeking more performance, there is an optional Assetto Fiorano package that reduces weight by about 30kg through the use of carbon fibre and titanium, while adding more aerodynamic parts, a stiffer suspension setup, and track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres.
Customers can further personalise their cars with new colours such as Rosso Fiammante and Giallo Ambra, and an exclusive Giallo Siena Alcantara interior trim.
As with all Ferraris, the 849 Testarossa comes with a seven-year maintenance programme and an option to extend the hybrid system's warranty up to 16 years.
For safety, the 849 comes equipped with FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator), which is touted as the company's most advanced driving assistance system by creating a real-time "digital twin" of the car to predict its dynamic behaviour and optimise its controls, such as braking and power delivery.
The 849's ABS Evo Controller works with FIVE to improve braking precision and consistency in all conditions, while the latest generation brake-by-wire system gets fitted in as well.
There's also side slip control version 9.0 for enhanced handling and managing the car's slip-angle as well as advanced traction control (TRC) with electronic differential (e-diff) that works in tandem with the e-4WD system (electronic All-Wheel Drive) and Torque Vectoring to maximise traction and efficiency when exiting corners.
Further bolstering safety is its Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Automated/Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with cyclist detection, Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Detection (BSM), Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beam, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Surround View camera system and Driver-attention Warning.
