When creating a car render, you could argue that using an iconic 80s and 90s Italian supercar as the base for a new project might not be the most obvious way forward.
Ferraris, whichever way we look at them, aren’t a modification staple in the automotive world. Whereas JDM icons, German sedans, and vintage American rides all get mashed up to varying effect over and over.
This time, the car of choice is an icon. It's an instantly recognizable one from a certain era of Ferrari cars and usually unsolicited as the foundation for a digital render: the Ferrari Testarossa.
As a HotCars exclusive, it got manipulated and redesigned by digital artisan Rostislav Prokop, and now it exists for all to see and enjoy - or discuss and debate. Let's take a closer look.
UPDATED DECEMBER 2022: We revisit this modern Ferrari Testarossa remake and dive back in to its history, also checking back to see if there will be a new Testarossa and any other relevant facts.
The Custom Ferrari Testarossa Render By Rostislav Prokop
Maranello’s prancing horse, the Testarossa, was a mid-engined, 12-cylinder sports car that ran from around 1984 – 1991. The engine was a ‘flat 12’ meaning its pistons were not aligned in the typical ‘inline’ or ‘V’ format but horizontally opposed. 390 hp was on offer from the 4.9-liter engine.
It’s a Miami Vice, 80s kind of car to some, and to others, it’s another legendary work of automotive art by Pininfarina. Either way, its unforgettable looks lend themselves well to a render.
Here, you can see the Testarossa through the most obvious design artifact – the slotted air scoop on the sides. Aside from that, the red Italian sports car speaks Ferrari through the exterior color choice, the yellow prancing horse badges, and the 5-spoke wheels.
Ferrari Should Release A New Model Under The Testarossa Name
Up back, the presence of an internal combustion engine gets confirmed by the twin-exit exhausts, but the big news is that the slotted black vents are back at least in spirit.
Whereas now they don’t cover the light clusters, the idea is still present and evokes a theme more or less commensurate with the contemporary Testarossa design ethos. In short, the rear of this virtual Ferrari 80s remake looks awesome on the whole.
Although the front is missing the pop-up lights that anyone prior to the millennial age will dismiss as trivial, the overarching design and style is consistent and in line with how a Testarossa might look today. Because let’s be honest, no one is going to bring back pop-up lamps.
In a surprise twist, the Ferrari Testarossa render looks well-put-together and perhaps the understated shape, almost-hidden-headlamps, and slotted air ducts could make a comeback in this retro-kind age.
What Replaced The Ferrari Testarossa?
A 2022 Ferrari Testarossa seems unlikely and in reality it shouldn't be a surprise that there are no plans to produce a direct sequel to the 80s Italian sports car icon.
While Lamborghini recently took the Countach nameplate back to the front of our minds the Testarossa name is currently a ghostly figure of the not-too-distant past only.
Back in its heyday, the Testarossa's 'flat-twelve engine' could launch the retro Italian sports car to a pretty high speed for the time - the Ferrari Testarossa top speed was around 180 mph.
The car didn't get replaced directly, but there were other iterations of the same platform, for example the Ferrari 512 TR and the F512 M.
Today the value is around $136,000 based on 209 auction results on Classic.com's average auction value aggregator.