Unveiled only a few days ago, the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa is already the talk of the town. The successor to the SF90, it takes up a legendary name from Maranello's history: Testarossa. When this name is mentioned, the collective imagination immediately conjures up a unique, iconic, almost sculptural design. And this is precisely where the debate begins.
Ferrari puts performance before style
As with the recent Ferrari F80the impression is that the Italian manufacturer has put aerodynamic efficiency and performance before visual identity. Ferrari makes no secret of its priorities. The brand explains that it took the SF90 Stradale as a reference, with the aim of improving power, tire grip, responsiveness, braking efficiency and the evolution of electronic systems.
The figures speak for themselves:
- +3 % lateral performance compared with the SF90 Stradale,
- -35 % on the weight of road springs,
- -10 % of roll for better body control,
- optimized longitudinal acceleration thanks to weight/power ratio and engine calibration.
As a result, the 849 Testarossa boasts a colossal 1,050 hp, without sacrificing responsiveness at low revs. A technological feat, to be sure, but one that begs the question: where has the Testarossa's stylistic soul gone?
A descendant with a hard-to-read design
Ferrari claims that the front of the car features volumes inspired by the Ferrari geometries of yesteryear, while the rear is dominated by a twin tail reminiscent of the 512 S. But for many enthusiasts, it's hard to see this as a true descendant of the Testarossa. The immediately recognizable character of the original, with its famous side gills, seems absent from this modern reinterpretation.
Independent designers let loose
With this in mind, a number of designers had fun revisiting the 849 Testarossa. Among them, Jonsibal stood out. He too regrets the absence of any clear reference to the original Testarossa. "The exterior design of the new Ferrari 849 Testarossa seems to be quite distinctive. But it was the Testarossa part of the name that caught my eye. I looked for hints of the original design, but nothing," he explains.
His idea: add the Testarossa's most emblematic feature, the side gills. The result is an immediately more identifiable proposition. Jonsibal also slightly simplified the nose and refined the profile, without touching the headlights. The result? A Ferrari that at last evokes the spirit of the Testarossa, with added visual appeal.
But at the expense of efficiency?
The big question remains: wouldn't these more aesthetically appealing adjustments have a negative impact on aerodynamic efficiency, so crucial on a car of this power? This is Ferrari's dilemma. Between stylistic heritage and absolute performance, the brand has clearly decided in favor of the latter. The 849 Testarossa will undoubtedly remain an exceptional supercar, but its design will continue to divide. At a time when we still dream of timeless lines, Ferrari reminds us that its priorities lie elsewhere: breaking records, at the risk of sacrificing a little visual magic.
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