Ferrari Is Already Making Use Of Its Reclaimed Testarossa Name
Less than a month ago, after several years of court battles, Ferrari won back the rights to the Testarossa name, and it's not letting it sit idle for long. A trademark filing unearthed by CarBuzz – in Iceland, of all places – reveals that the Italian automaker wants to protect the name 'Ferrari 849 Testarossa.'
Considering Maranello's modern penchant for putting digits in its nomenclature (see 812 Superfast, 430 Scuderia, 296 GTB, etc.), this could well herald a future model.
Numerous Theories Swirling
Source: Bring a Trailer
If this name does represent a new model, we'd like to imagine that it would not simply be a 12Cilindri with a new look, nor a rebodied 296. The Testarossa had a mid-mounted flat-12 engine, and we'd like to think that Ferrari would want the modern reincarnation to retain that cylinder count and that placement – the Daytona SP3 shows that it's technically possible; surely if Ferrari is seriously considering reviving a name as beloved as Testarossa, it would do so as part of an ultra-low-volume Icona Series, right?
Of course, the F80 proves that Ferrari no longer deems a 12-cylinder engine absolutely necessary for the pinnacle models in its range, and Ferrari could easily justify a V6 in the modern Testarossa by comparing its compact size to the original flat-12 engine's low center of gravity, for example. In fact, the name, which translates as 'red head,' could be used on anything with crimson valve covers, and as the 250 Testa Rossa depicted below shows, Ferrari doesn't always have a singular use case for every name.
Why A Tribute Seems Feasible In The First Place
Source: Drew Phillips/Autoblog
Ferrari does not often look to the past, and although several designs have claimed inspiration from older models, most stand alone. However, Ferrari Formula One driver Sir Lewis Hamilton recently floated the idea of a modern F40 tribute, potentially named F44. If it happens, Hamilton wants a manual transmission, and that's something Ferrari may consider for ultra-exclusive models, which a Testarossa of any sort surely would be. If an F40 tribute can happen, a Testarossa surely can, too.
All of this is speculation, and there's no guarantee that Ferrari even intends to make use of the name. But with contemporary hypercars becoming more and more extreme, perhaps slower, more engaging special editions are the way forward. A recent Evo interview tells customers to buy and restore classic Ferraris if they want a manual, but who knows? Perhaps for the right reimagining, rowing one's own gears could become a reality once more.
About the Author
Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Europe's first driverless train hits the open tracks - and has already carried passengers
Europe's first driverless train has made its debut journey - carrying passengers some 1000 miles with the help of satellites and lasers. The vehicle, named Edita, ran along a rail line in an open environment linking two northern Czech towns, its developer confirmed today. It had been operating since April on a local railway used as a testing track by the Prague-based private AZD company producing transport control and signalling systems. AZD's railway developer Michal Novak said: 'The train runs autonomously, it is equipped with systems that enable us to control its traction, brakes, and speed. 'It is also equipped with a device that detects objects and recognises... obstacles and reacts accordingly.' AZD has been running the train sparingly since its launch as its staff often test new equipment on it. Edita connects two small towns on a 15-mile track that was abandoned in 2010 before AZD bought it six years later. The company has invested 320 million Czech koruna (£11.3million) in the project, using EU funding for about one-third of the amount. The autonomous train, which has so far driven some 1,060 miles with passengers, relies on cameras, lasers, satellite navigation and an integrated digital map for information on its whereabouts. Under the current legislation, it still needs a driver to at least supervise its operation. The early Tuesday train's crew also included a conductor and experts checking data. When a hare ran onto the track, Edita duly slowed down and informed the crew about the obstacle. Novak said the train once had to stop because of a herd of sheep in the way, but he added incidents like this were rare. He said Edita was the first driverless train in Europe in an open environment with level crossings and where animals might get in the way. 'There are systems where autonomous vehicles operate, but these are mostly on special tracks that are closed off... such as underground or transfers between airport terminals,' he said. 'These have been in place for quite some time and work well in Europe, but I only know of one project in Australia that operates in such an open landscape,' added Novak. Watching the track ahead of the train on a screen in the carriage, passenger Radka Globanova insisted autonomous trains 'definitely have a future'. 'I think the progress will be really fast as artificial intelligence is being developed. There are autonomous trains, autonomous cars, why not?'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Do you know what this new French road sign means? Holidaymakers face £118 fine if they break key rule
A NEW road side in France this summer is threatening to impose a huge fine for holidaymakers if they break its key rule. Travellers to the country's capital may come across the sign when driving in Paris, and it should not be ignored. 2 A fine of £118 awaits motorists breaking the rules of the sign, which features a white diamond on a blue background. The sign can be seen on the eight lane Boulevard Périphérique around Paris, which is used by around one million vehicles each day. The symbol on it signifies that the left-hand lane can only be used for vehicles with passengers. Motorists caught driving alone in these lanes on the road's cameras will be issued automatic fines. It is being used in a bid to restrict car use in the capital, following changes in recent years to the Boulevard by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Another measure was introduced last year, which reduced the speed limit to 30mph on the 22-mile motorway. Four filling stations along the stretch of road were also banned from selling diesel fuel. However, the latest road rule incurs a costly bill if not followed, requiring a payment €135, equating to around £117.50. A new control system was installed on May 2, and put live to ensure compliance with the rules. The system involves hi-tech computer-assisted video enforcement (VAO) which monitors vehicles in the far left lanes at all times. Olympics is 'stupid' for pushing athletes into poop-filled River Seine - world champs will fall ill, workers fume It can capture the number of people in each car through artificial intelligence cameras. The recordings of vehicles considered to be breach the rules are then sent to a human agent for verification, who can then issue motorists abusing the rules with a fine. Signs and enforcement for the new carpool only lanes on the ring road also started at the beginning of May. They aim to encourage commuters to travel into the city in groups of at least two, hoping to reduce congestion and emissions from vehicles. The car sharing lanes are on the far left of the four-lane carriageway in both directions of what is one of the busiest ring roads in Europe. These exclusive lanes were initially introduced for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games last summer, designated for athletes and staff to use as priority vehicles accessing the city. Hidalgo, who has launched various anti-car measures for the city, confirmed they would remain after the conclusion of the games, and instead be used for car sharing in peak congestion hours. These hours 7am to 10:30am and 4pm to 8pm on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, all lanes are open to any vehicle. Public transport operators, emergency service vehicles, taxis, and cars for people with reduced mobility are also permitted to use the carpool lanes at any time. President of Automobile Association, Edmund King, told the Daily Mail: "Britons driving to Paris this summer might be forgiven for not understanding a new addition to French road signs – the diamond with a blue background. "Some might think it is a sign to the 'diamond district' in Paris, which is around Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix, but it is not - it is a sign denoting a car sharing lane."
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Bugatti's Solitaire One-Off Teased Ahead of August 7 Debut
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. This Genesis GV90 development mule is wearing production bodywork, and it's very similar to the concept that foreshadowed this luxury SUV. Bugatti has teased its next creation — and it's not just another hypercar. Set for full debut on August 7, the car is named Solitaire, and it marks the beginning of a new coachbuilt program designed around one‑of‑one commissions. It's Bugatti's way of blending tradition with next-level personalization, and it's already being described as a spiritual successor to the legendary Type 57 SC Atlantic. At first glance, Solitaire looks to be based loosely on the Tourbillon. But this isn't a rework or a spec tweak. The French marque calls it 'a celebration of grace and elegance,' with visuals that suggest a more dramatic silhouette, an exaggerated horseshoe grille, and intricate carbon-fiber detailing. Oops! We're unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram Bugatti's Tourbillon hypercar has only just begun its global test program — and that's a car with 1,775 horsepower and an all-new naturally aspirated V16 hybrid powertrain. Yet this coachbuilt one-off is being positioned as something altogether different: a design object first, a speed machine second. Coachbuilding, The Bugatti Way This isn't a concept or a styling exercise. It's the first of a new program of hand-built, one-off Bugattis, crafted entirely around individual customers. The initial Solitaire commission is reportedly for Dutch billionaire Michel Perridon — a known collector of historic Bugattis, EB110s, and Chirons that forms part of The Perridon Collection. It's expected to signal a series of upcoming models each rooted in unique inspiration, historical reference points, and near-limitless personalization. Behind the scenes, this ultra-limited program will be shaped by Bugatti's newly expanded Molsheim atelier, the glass-and-steel sanctuary where the Tourbillon will be produced. The upgraded facility doubles production capacity and blends seamlessly into the Alsace landscape, reinforcing Bugatti's obsession with craftsmanship, precision, and presence. Standards No One Else Can Match What makes Bugatti's bespoke ambitions so believable is the company's reputation for ruthless attention to detail. A recent example: if a $5 million Mistral isn't perfect, Bugatti will tear it apart and rebuild it. The idea of handing this level of scrutiny over to a one-off program like Solitaire is borderline absurd — but that's the point. For the kind of collectors Bugatti is courting, it's not about performance figures. It's about singularity. That said, performance won't be neglected. While Bugatti hasn't revealed what powers the Solitaire, signs point toward the new Tourbillon V16 platform rather than the outgoing W16. If true, this car won't just be visually spectacular — it will be monumentally fast. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why This Matters With Monterey Car Week on the horizon, the timing couldn't be more deliberate. Bugatti isn't just showing a car — it's laying out a roadmap for what hypercars can be in the post-combustion era. For a company steeped in heritage, this is less about legacy and more about relevance. It shows Bugatti doesn't just build cars. It curates them. One billionaire at a time. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
