Ferrari Testarossa Engine

Engine Guide

The Heart of the Ferrari Testarossa

At the center of Ferrari’s 1980s supercar sits a legendary flat-12 engine. Brutal yet refined, it defined an era of exotic performance.

Overview

The Ferrari Testarossa, launched in 1984, featured a mid-mounted 4.9-liter flat-12 engine (180° V12). Unlike Ferrari’s earlier Colombo V12s, this horizontally opposed layout provided lower center of gravity, better weight distribution, and the broad, iconic width of the car.

Design & Layout

  • Configuration: 4.9L naturally aspirated flat-12 (4942 cc), DOHC, 48 valves.
  • Output: ~385 hp at 6,300 rpm (U.S. spec), 428 hp in later 512 TR versions.
  • Fuel system: Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection.
  • Cooling: Dual side-mounted radiators, requiring the wide Testarossa body strakes.
  • Transmission: 5-speed gated manual gearbox, rear-mounted.

This unique engine design required innovative packaging. The wide rear track, large side intakes, and twin radiators all stemmed from the demands of cooling the flat-12.

Performance Characteristics

Acceleration

0–60 mph in ~5.0 seconds for early models; a remarkable figure for the mid-1980s, thanks to broad torque delivery and 12-cylinder smoothness.

Top Speed

Officially rated at ~180 mph (290 km/h). Its long gearing and flat-12 stability made it a genuine autobahn stormer.

Sound

A hallmark of the Testarossa is its unique exhaust note: deeper than a V12, smoother than a V8, with a distinctive flat, mechanical roar as it revs past 6,000 rpm.

Driveability

Despite its power, the engine is tractable and surprisingly smooth at low speeds, though city traffic and heat can stress the cooling system.

Maintenance Realities

Owning a Testarossa flat-12 is a commitment. Key considerations include:

  • Timing Belts: Require replacement every 5 years or 30,000 miles. Skipping this is catastrophic.
  • Engine-Out Service: Major maintenance requires dropping the entire drivetrain. Labor costs are high.
  • Cooling: Keep radiators clean and fans operational. Overheating is the most common killer.
  • Fluids: Oil, coolant, and gearbox fluid changes on a strict schedule extend the engine’s life.
  • Specialist Care: Only trained Ferrari technicians should work on the flat-12 due to its complexity and parts scarcity.

Legacy of the Flat-12

The Testarossa’s flat-12 marked the peak of Ferrari’s horizontally opposed 12-cylinder era, which began with the 365 GT4 BB. Later Ferraris returned to V12 configurations, making the Testarossa family the last of its kind. Its broad stance, side strakes, and unique soundtrack remain cultural icons of the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, the Testarossa’s engine is celebrated as one of Ferrari’s boldest engineering statements—complex, demanding, but unforgettable in character.