How the SF90 bridged the Gap Between Supercars and Hypercars

When Ferrari launched the SF90 almost 6 years ago, their plan was to revolutionise the supercar market. The plan was to bridge the gap between supercars like the 488 and hypercars like the LaFerrari. What ended up being created was a $450,000 monster that at the time was the most powerful, most technical, and fastest road-going Ferrari ever. It was the first Ferrari to feature a plug-in hybrid and the first Ferrari supercar to be All-Wheel Drive.

What was undeniable about the SF90 was how fast it was, with 986 brake horsepower, 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, and 211 mph top speed, the SF90 redefined speed for the millennium. It was faster than nearly every supercar and hypercar available, minus a Rimac Nevera. In fact, when Lamborghini launched the 1000-horsepower V12 Revuelto, people were shocked to see to older, less powerful Prancing Horse trouncing the Raging Bull.

Over the years, Ferrari have built many variants of the SF90, including a Spider and a hardcore XX variant. Personally, though, I’ve never been a fan. I’ve never liked the styling and have always found it to be too technical and clever to capture that magic of a true Ferrari. But there’s no denying that for sheer performance both on road and track, the SF90 was simply unbeatable. At least it was.

The 849’s Design: Harkening Back to the Past in Both Namesake and Design

Because now Ferrari have launched the new 849 Testarossa, the long-awaited successor to the SF90. Before we dive into the car, let’s break down its name. The name “Testarossa” literally translates to red-head and is very much the colour that appeared on Ferrari’s racers in the 50s. Of course, the one you all remember fondly is that 80s icon, the 512 TR, Ferrari’s Flat-12 answer to the Lamborghini Countach.

Certainly, from design, this new car takes a lot of inspiration from the old Testarossa, most notably in its side profile. The rear is heavily inspired by the flagship F80, the side intakes call back to the 512S racer, and the front takes inspiration from the F8 Tributo. Ferrari design boss Flavio Manzoni says the goal was to create “something new” rather than repeat old themes.

However, despite looking very striking, it’s still not a very good-looking car in my opinion. The front is just too heavy, and the back looks too tall. Not to mention all the details are overly fussy, such as the geometric cuts, deep side intakes, and a twin-tail spoiler. Not that that should be much of a surprise. None of the cars the design takes inspiration from are remotely good-looking, especially the bent-looking Testarossa.

One thing that is vastly improved upon is the interior. Since the SF90, Ferrari’s interiors have been somewhat of a mess, particularly with their steering wheels that use an iPad like touch to start and stop the car as well as activating all the day to day controls. Thankfully, in the 849, the controls seem to match those of Ferrari’s launched in the 10s. I can’t explain how overjoyed I am to see that familiar big red stop/start on the steering wheel, as it should be.

The 849’s Aerodynamics and Tech

Of course, Ferrari will counteract the rather awkward styling by telling you all how this car’s features greatly enhance its aerodynamics. They say that at 150mph, the 849 generates 25 percent more downforce than the SF90, thanks to a new underbody diffuser, improved radiators, and the active twin spoilers at the rear. Cooling efficiency is up by as much as 19 percent, ensuring the car can handle repeated track use.

In addition, the 849’s Tech is vast. Ferrari has with the all new Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator (FIVE), which creates a digital twin of the car in real time. This predicts grip and adjusting systems instantly. The ABS Evo brakes, first used on the SF90 XX Stradale, improve stopping distances, while the eight-speed gearbox has been remapped to deliver quicker shifts.

The 849’s Horsepower and Rocket-Ship Performance

Of course, all these aero tweaks assist with the gain in performance. Like the SF90, the 849 uses a 4.0l twin-turbo V8. Only now it generates 818bhp, thanks to redesigned turbos, a lighter crankshaft, and improved intercoolers. And like the SF90, the 849 benefits from a triad of electric motors, one integrated with the gearbox and two driving the front axle. This generates another 237bhp.

The net result is a gigantic 1035 brake horsepower and 621 lb-ft of torque, nearly 50 more hp and 30 lb-ft more than the SF90 Stradale and 20 more than the hardcore XX. Like before, the power is sent to all four wheels, and despite the larger stance, this car weighs the same as the old car at 1,570kg. That means 0-62mph takes a blistering 2.3 seconds, and the top speed is just 205mph. This car isn’t just fast, it rewrites every rule-book ever.

Of course, speed isn’t just what defines a Ferrari, handling is as important. Because of this car’s improved aerodynamics, downforce, and body, it corners flatter than ever before with truly immense grip from the all-wheel drive system. The result is that around the Fiorano test track, it set an impressive 1:17.5, over 1.5 seconds quicker than the old SF90 Stradale and just 0.2 seconds behind the SF90XX.

Spider and Assetto: And the Cost

Also, what’s interesting is that Ferrari have launched the Spider variant alongside the coupe, which very rarely happens. Now, like most modern Ferraris, minus the Roma Spider, the 849 Spider uses a retractable metal folding roof that takes 14 seconds to retract and put up. And due to this contraption, there is a 70kg gain in weight over the coupe, but again, that is to be expected with all Spiders.

Also, Ferrari have launched the 849 with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. This package, introduced with the 296, cuts 30kg from the 849’s weight thanks to carbon-fibre wheels and race-style bucket seats. The package also swaps the adaptive suspension for fixed Multimatic dampers, optimised for track use, and equips sticky Michelin Cup 2 tyres for added grip alongside the all-wheel drive system.

When the 849 lands next year, it will be priced at $540,000 with the Spider variant costing $46,000 more and the Assetto Fiorano package incredibly setting you back $62,000 more. And that’s before one starts looking at the many options that Ferrari will undoubtedly provide such as the Giallo paint and the blackened roof. On average I imagine the average cost of the 849 will set you back $650,000.

849 vs Revuelto and Valhalla

Obviously, the big question that people would’ve pondered is how the 849 would compete with its arch raging bull nemesis, the Lamborghini Revuelto. Well, there’s no real point because, as many drag races have proven, the old SF90 absolutely spanked the Revuelto in a straight line. And as revealed, it's faster on most racetracks. So knowing this, the more powerful 849 will eat, chew, and spit out the Revuelto in every single metric way.

So perhaps a more interesting car to compare it to is the new Aston Martin Valhalla. On paper, Aston’s latest hypercar has 40 more horsepower and a lot more torque than the 849. But if there’s one thing that’s always been consistent between a Ferrari and Aston comparison, is that Ferrari always comes out on top for sheer performance, even when they appear to be on the back foot.

A Great Car, But Still Lacks that Ferrari Magic

There’s no denying that, like the SF90, the 849 will be an incredible car, particularly if Ferrari ever builds a hardcore XX. And there’s no denying it’ll spank both the Revuelto and likely the Valhalla. But it still has the problems that plagued the SF90. It’s still far from a good-looking car in my opinion, and it just seems too technical and too computerised to truly be what I personally want in a Ferrari.

But I think the 849 points to a bigger issue with Ferrari. This is the fourth Ferrari model to be launched this year, not including the Spider variants, which is way too much for a small volume supercar maker. Especially considering Ferrari isn’t doing that well this year in F1, and the fact that these cars lack the magic Ferraris of the past had in spades. The 849 will be absolutely brilliant, but one of Ferrari’s greatest, I’m not so sure.

F1rstMotors Facts and Figures

Manufacturer	Ferrari S.p.A
Model	849 Testarossa
Year of Release	2026
Engine	3.9l Twin-Turbo V8 with Three Electric Motors
Horsepower	1035 horsepower
Torque	621 lb-ft
0–62mph (100km/h)	2.3 seconds
Top Speed	205mph (320 km/h)
Weight	1,600 kg (1.6 tonnes)
Power to Weight	380 hp per tonne
Gearbox	8-speed-dual-clutch
Driven Wheels	All-Wheel-Drive
Price	$540,000
Rivals	Lamborghini Revuelto, Aston Martin Valhalla

Source: Ferrari