Ferrari 849 Testarossa’s design curbed by international safety rules

Ferrari’s new 849 Testarossa hybrid hypercar blends an 830 hp V8 biturbo engine with three electric motors to deliver a combined output of up to 1,050 hp and a top speed exceeding 330 km/h. The Spider variant features a retractable roof that folds in about 14 seconds, and the car was demonstrated on the volcanic roads of Tenerife, where its performance and handling were praised.

During the vehicle’s international launch, designer Jason Furtado revealed that the original plan to equip the 849 Testarossa with fully retractable headlights was blocked by global safety regulations. The UN/ECE regulation No. 127, derived from the EU pedestrian‑protection directive, requires a deformable front surface, making hidden headlights non‑compliant. Instead, Ferrari incorporated a slim black strip across the front that houses the lights, preserving a nod to the model’s heritage while meeting the standards.