Italian supercars. While other automakers from other countries have conjured up some pretty amazing supercar efforts since the '60s, Italian supercars are pretty quintessential. After all, Italy invented what we know nowadays as the modern supercar with a mid-engine layout. Over the years, and especially with the advent of Lamborghini, the Italian supercar rivalry got even more intense. Perhaps the most well-known Italian supercar pairing of all time is the Lamborghini Countach and the Ferrari Testarossa.
The Testarossa came along in 1984, and it was part of a long-running family of mid-engine, 12-cylinder-powered Ferraris. Still, it was the only one worthy of the Testarossa name, and one that's become so iconic and so influential, even despite its flaws, it's what a lot of people think of when they hear the name "Ferrari." Especially if said people are of a certain age. The Testarossa lineage bowed out in 1996, with the rather confused, but one we'd still call the ultimate daily driver, the 512 M. Since then, Ferrari hasn't really put together a proper follow-up. However, it's the perfect time for them to do just that. Not only is there an industry-wide movement towards retro styling, but Lamborghini recently put out a modern take on the Countach. With the help of digital artist Rostislav Prokop, HotCars has imagined what it might look like if Ferrari were to do the same thing with the Testarossa with one of the many car renders we produce.
What Would A New Testarossa Look Like?
Ever since the Testarossa went out of production, pretty much no one has been able to match its style. No one has been able to match how unapologetically '80s it is. That's why it seems fitting that the only people who can make a new Testarossa and actually do it justice is Ferrari themselves. If it looks anything like Rostislav Prokop's render here, then they will definitely do it justice. Prokop has quite literally modernized the design we all know and love, in just about every way.
The front-end styling is basically the same, except the pop-up headlights are unfortunately absent. Taking their place are a pair of slim LED strips. It's still pretty boxy and wedge-shaped, and on the side, it still has those signature Testarossa side strakes. The rear end features slim LED strips as taillights, clearly taking inspiration from the grates on the taillights on the original. There is also a suitably retro Testarossa badge on the rear, as well as two massive exhaust pipes. The signature Rosso Corsa paint finish and a set of silver five-spoke wheels round out the exterior.
What Would Power A New Testarossa?
Ferrari has a pretty interesting list of powertrains that they can use here, and there are also multiple routes that they can take. This particular render brandishes two circular exhaust pipes, in quite a familiar configuration and an equally familiar diffuser surrounds them. The most likely route Ferrari would take in the event of a new Testarossa is re-purposing one of their V8 models as some type of run-out special. While this might cause some pretty strong reactions among the most loyal of Testarossa fans and Ferrari enthusiasts, it would make a lot of sense. However, it would make more sense for them to re-purpose a V12 model, something similar to the awesome Daytona SP3. Furthermore, Ferrari is slowly phasing out the V8. Only the SF90, which we'd love to drive, still uses it, where it also pairs up with a plug-in hybrid element. In any case, basing a Testarossa revival on an existing V12 Ferrari would make a lot of sense, as that's exactly what Lamborghini did with the new Countach.
Another route that Ferrari can take here is making the new Testarossa electric. While Ferrari is still clinging on to internal combustion for as long as they can, this would actually make a fair bit of sense. Automakers the world over are banking on reviving legacy nameplates as electric cars, or simply going all-in on retro styling for their EVs. The Ford F-150 Lightning and the award-winning Hyundai Ioniq 5 are excellent examples of each one, respectively. We all know that Ferrari enthusiasts won't exactly love the idea of a battery-powered car wearing the iconic Prancing Horse on the hood and front fenders, so it would make sense. Calling it a Testarossa and giving it the right amount of panache might just allow electric car naysayers will hop on board. Finally, Ferrari could simply pair up their existing V12 with the same hybrid technology as the SF90. This would make it more efficient and ready for modern emissions regulations, while retaining the drama and the concerto that has been an integral part of every V12 Ferrari throughout history.
Would A New Testarossa Ever Happen?
Why not? Lamborghini saw the opportunity for a new Countach and took it, so it's entirely possible that Ferrari will do the same thing. We've heard numerous reports about Ferrari's first EV, which should be here in 2025. As well as that, Ferrari has proven that they like retro styling, with the Monza SP1 and SP2 and the more recent Daytona SP3. If the new Testarossa looks anything like this, we'd definitely like to see it.