Which Ferrari Testarossa Version Should You Buy?
The choice comes down to two very different specifications. The first-generation Ferrari Testarossa Coupe, produced from 1986 through 1991, offers the 4.9 MT with either 380 hp or 390 hp, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The second-generation Coupe, in production from 2025, changes to the 1,050 hp 4.0 DCT Plug-in specification with an 8-speed Robotic gearbox and AWD.
The choice comes down to two very different specifications. The first-generation Ferrari Testarossa Coupe, produced from 1986 through 1991, offers the 4.9 MT with either 380 hp or 390 hp, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The second-generation Coupe, in production from 2025, changes to the 1,050 hp 4.0 DCT Plug-in specification with an 8-speed Robotic gearbox and AWD. Buyers seeking the strongest performance figures should choose the 4.0 DCT; those prioritizing the first-generation configuration must decide whether the 380 hp or 390 hp version better suits them. Price, cost, availability and cars for sale cannot be compared because those figures were not measured.
Ferrari Testarossa generations compared
The first generation covers 1986–1991 and consists of two listed Coupe versions. Both are named 4.9 MT, so they must be distinguished by output: one produces 380 hp and 474 Nm, while the other produces 390 hp and 490 Nm. They otherwise share a 4,943 cc Gasoline engine, 12 cylinders in an Opposite layout, no boost, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD.
The second generation starts in 2025 and is represented by two identical database entries for the Coupe. Both are named 4.0 DCT and have the same published specification: 1,050 hp, 842 Nm, a 3,990 cc Plug-in engine with 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, Turbo boost, an 8-speed Robotic gearbox and AWD. Because their figures are identical, the supplied data provides no technical basis for choosing one 4.0 DCT entry over the other.
Moving from the 390 hp 4.9 MT to the 4.0 DCT adds 660 hp and 352 Nm while reducing kerb weight by 130 kg. Compared with the 380 hp 4.9 MT, the 4.0 DCT adds 670 hp and 368 Nm, again with a 130 kg lower kerb weight. The drivetrain also changes from RWD to AWD, while the gearbox gains 3 forward speeds and changes from Manual to Robotic.
Ferrari Testarossa engine specs
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1991 | 4.9 MT, 380 hp | 380 hp at 5,750 rpm | 474 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 4,943 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 12 | Opposite | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1986–1991 | 4.9 MT, 390 hp | 390 hp at 6,300 rpm | 490 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 4,943 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 12 | Opposite | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| From 2025 | 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 1,050 hp at 7,500 rpm | 842 Nm at 6,500 rpm | 3,990 cc | Plug-in, 98 | 8 | V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| From 2025 | 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 1,050 hp at 7,500 rpm | 842 Nm at 6,500 rpm | 3,990 cc | Plug-in, 98 | 8 | V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
The 380 hp 4.9 MT develops about 76.9 hp per litre, while the 390 hp 4.9 MT develops about 78.9 hp per litre. The 4.0 DCT reaches about 263.2 hp per litre. On this comparison, the 4.0 DCT produces more than three times the power per litre of either first-generation specification.
Within the first generation, the 390 hp 4.9 MT provides 10 hp and 16 Nm more than the 380 hp 4.9 MT. Its peak-power point is 550 rpm higher, while both versions reach maximum torque at 4,500 rpm. Both have 4 valves per cylinder, a 9.3 compression ratio, an 82 × 78 bore-and-stroke figure and central injection.
The 4.0 DCT has 4 valves per cylinder, a 9.54 compression ratio, an 88 × 82 bore-and-stroke figure and direct injection. Engine position was not measured for any version, so the data does not establish an engine-bay location or overall engine placement.
Ferrari Testarossa performance and economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 MT, 380 hp | 5.8 seconds | 285 km/h | 23.2 L/100 km | 10 L/100 km | 11.4 L/100 km |
| 4.9 MT, 390 hp | 5.8 seconds | 290 km/h | 23.2 L/100 km | 10 L/100 km | 11.4 L/100 km |
| 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 2.3 seconds | 330 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 2.3 seconds | 330 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 390 hp 4.9 MT is the stronger first-generation choice on published performance: it matches the 380 hp version’s 5.8-second acceleration time but raises top speed by 5 km/h. It carries no measured fuel-consumption penalty because both first-generation specifications list exactly the same city, highway and combined figures.
The 4.0 DCT reaches 100 km/h 3.5 seconds sooner than either 4.9 MT and has a top speed 40 km/h above the 390 hp version or 45 km/h above the 380 hp version. Fuel economy for the 4.0 DCT was not measured, so the Plug-in specification cannot be compared honestly with the first generation on consumption. A 0–60 mph figure was also not measured for any version.
Ferrari Testarossa weight, dimensions and running specifications
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 MT, 380 hp | 1,700 kg | 1,900 kg | 120 mm | 115 L | 225/50 R16; 255/50 R15 |
| 4.9 MT, 390 hp | 1,700 kg | 1,900 kg | 120 mm | 115 L | 225/50 R16; 255/50 R15 |
| 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 1,570 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.0 DCT, 1,050 hp | 1,570 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 380 hp 4.9 MT carries about 4.47 kg per horsepower, improving slightly to about 4.36 kg per horsepower in the 390 hp 4.9 MT. The 4.0 DCT has about 1.50 kg per horsepower. It therefore combines 130 kg less kerb weight with substantially greater output than either first-generation version.
Both generations use Independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, plus ventilated disc brakes at both ends. Overall exterior dimensions, size and weight distribution were not measured for any version. Gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and wheel sizes were also not measured for the 4.0 DCT.
Which Ferrari Testarossa version to choose
Choose the 380 hp 4.9 MT only when that exact first-generation specification is the priority. It has the same 5.8-second acceleration, 1,700 kg kerb weight and measured consumption as the 390 hp version, but it gives away 10 hp, 16 Nm and 5 km/h in top speed. No price figure was measured, so the data cannot show whether a lower purchase cost compensates for those differences.
Among the first-generation versions, the 390 hp 4.9 MT is the clearer specification-led choice. It extracts about 2.0 additional hp per litre, improves weight per horsepower from about 4.47 to 4.36 kg/hp, and supplies the higher top speed without a recorded increase in fuel consumption or weight.
Choose the 4.0 DCT when acceleration, maximum speed, power density and weight per horsepower matter most. Its 1,050 hp output, 842 Nm torque, 2.3-second 0–100 km/h time, 330 km/h top speed and 1,570 kg kerb weight lead every measured performance comparison. The trade-off is missing catalogue evidence for consumption, gross weight, clearance, tank capacity and wheel sizes.
There is no measurable reason to select one of the two listed 4.0 DCT entries over the other: both have the same name, output, torque, performance, drivetrain and weight. Likewise, price, reliability, production totals, Spider availability and market listings were not measured. The defensible buying order on specifications alone is therefore the 4.0 DCT for maximum performance, the 390 hp 4.9 MT for the strongest first-generation figures, and the 380 hp 4.9 MT only for buyers specifically seeking that lower-output configuration.