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Ferrari Testarossa
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Parent company	Fiat
Production	1984–1996 (from Testarossa to final F512 M incarnation)
Assembly	Maranello, Italy
Predecessor	BB 512i
Successor	550 Maranello
Class	Supercar
Body style(s)	Berlinetta
Layout	MR layout
Related	512 TR F512 M

Ferrari Testarossa
Production	1984–1992
Engine(s)	4.9L 380 hp H-12
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4,486 mm (176.6 in)
Width	1,976 mm (77.8 in)
Height	1,130 mm (44.5 in)

Ferrari 512 TR
Production	1991–1994
Engine(s)	4.9L 421 hp H-12(315 kW/428 PS) 488 N·m (360 ft·lbf)
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4,481 mm (176.4 in)
Width	1,976 mm (77.8 in)
Height	1,135 mm (44.7 in)
Curb weight	1,656 kg (3,650 lb)

Ferrari F512 M
Production	1995–1996
Engine(s)	4.9 L H-12 440 hp (328 kW)

The Ferrari Testarossa is a 12-cylinder mid-engined sports car made by Ferrari, which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer. The Pininfarina-designed car was radically wide at 1976 mm (77.8 in) and low at just 1135 mm (44.7 in) high.

It should not be confused with the Ferrari TR "Testa Rossa" of the late 1950s and early 1960s. These were GT sports cars that ran in the World Sportscar Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Contents 1 Testarossa 2 512TR 3 F512M 4 Pictures 5 Trivia 6 References 7 See also

The Testarossa name, which, in Italian means "red head", comes from the red-painted cylinder heads on the flat-12 engine. Of course, the double entendre with a red-headed woman was intentional; in fact, Ferrari and Pininfarina regularly use descriptive terms related to a female's body when describing the style of their automobiles.

The engine was technically a 180° V engine, since it shared flat-plane crankshaft pins with opposing cylinders. Output was 390 hp (291 kW), and the car won many comparison tests and admirers - it was featured on the cover of Road & Track magazine nine times in just five years. Almost 10,000 Testarossas, 512 TRs, and F512 Ms were produced, making it one of the most common Ferrari models, despite its high price and exotic design. The price of the Testarossa in the US was $181,000 in 1989, including a $2,700 "gas-guzzler" tax. The original selling price in the UK was £62,666^[1]

The car's roots may be traced back to the BB 512i of 1981. Both shared the same basic platform, though the Testarossa added coilover shock absorbers to the double wishbones at the rear. The engine was similar, too, though it now featured 4 valves per cylinder. One significant mechanical difference was the radiator: the 512 BB featured a single radiator in the nose, while the Testarossa used a pair of smaller units on each side in front of the rear wheels. This necessitated the distinctive side-mounted air intakes and strakes, as well as the wide body. It also helped in lowering the cabin's temperature, since the radiator's hoses didn't run under it.

Although successful on the road, the Testarossa did not appear on race tracks, unlike the BB 512i, which had done so with minor success.

As the car became synonymous with 80s yuppies and nowadays plays a part of the 80's retro culture,^[2] such popularity meant that the Testarossa has made appearance in numerous video games, even in its illustrations, most notably Out Run and in the TV series Miami Vice, onward from season three. Even its side strakes has at the time became a popular aftermarket body component for wide arch kits ^[3]. The Testarossa still frequently makes appearances in videogames.

The original Testarossa was thoroughly re-engineered for 1991 and released as the 512 TR, effectively a completely new car. It increased the output of the 4.9 L engine to 428 hp (319 kW).

The 512 TR's engine was modified in many ways. Nikasil liners were added, along with a new air intake system, Bosch engine management system, 10.1:1 compression ratio with new pistons, larger intake valves, and a revised exhaust system. In addition to the extra power, the modifications delivered a flatter torque curve for better acceleration.

Gearshifting effort, long a complaint about the Testarossa, was eased with a new single-plate clutch, sliding ball bearings, and better angle for the shifter. The braking system included larger front rotors and cross-drilling all around. Quicker steering, lower-profile tires, and new shock settings improved handling. Most importantly, engine and gearbox position was rethought, which improved the centre of gravity, aiding the handling and making the car less fearsome on the limit.

The interior was revised too, with the center console split from the dashboard, and the climate controls relocated. Pininfarina tweaked the body of the car to better integrate the spoilers and engine cover and update the design in line with the recently released 348. A recall was issued in 1995, regarding fuel hose fitting issues^{[citation needed]}. Over 400 models had this defect. Certain variances in temperature and environment would cause the hose to fail.

The 512 TR could accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and could reach the quarter mile mark in 12.8 seconds. Top speed was 192 mph (309 km/h). It cost US$212,160 in 1992 with luxury items, the "gas-guzzler" taxes, and destination freight.

The Modificata F512 M was the modified final Testarossa, with power now climbing to 440 hp (328 kW). The first 512 M was also a modified version of the 512 S race car in 1970. Released in 1994, the F512 M was the company's last mid-engined 12-cylinder car, apart from the F50 and Enzo supercars, featuring the company's last flat engine. It was replaced in 1996 by the front-engined 550 Maranello coupe. It should also be noted this car featured a different front lid with twin NACA ducts, and totally revised fixed headlamps. The rear of the car also controversially received four round F355 style lamps, replacing the classic straked rear grille.

501 Examples were produced, 75 in Right hand drive.

1994 512TR

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• In his column in Evo Magazine, McLaren F1 designer and columnist Gordon Murray described the Testarossa as "dreadful", having a centre of gravity "the same as a double decker bus."

• The Testarossa is a part of the storyline for Kavinsky's albums. The car can be seen in the video for the song 'Testarossa Autodrive.'

• The Testarossa can be seen in the 2000 Disney movie "Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire." Charles Shaughnessy of The Nanny fame is seen buying one in the movie and paying for it in cash.

• The character Fate Testarossa from the anime Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha was named for the car.

• The Testarossa 512M was driven by Ishida Yoshiaki, a character from the manga, Wangan Midnight. Its first debut was in Volume 1 of the manga, Series 4, Chapter 1.

• In the Manga Sailor Moon, a 512M was driven by Haruka Tenoh (Sailor Uranus). As well, a 512TR was driven by Nephrite.

• In the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury, Richard Grieco (As himself) drives a yellow Testarossa, which Grieco claims is an illegal racing car.

• In the 1987 Nintendo Entertainment System game Rad Racer, the computer-controlled cars in the final stages are Testarossas.

• In the third season of Miami Vice, Sonny Crockett is given a white Testarossa by the Vice department after his black Daytona Spider is destroyed in an arms deal.

• Bob Johnson. "Ferrari Testarossa". Road and Track (June 1989): 64–69. 
• Buckley, Martin & Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7. 
• The Ferrari Pages. Cars From Italy. Retrieved on November 18, 2004.
• "Retail Prices, Import Cars," Automotive News, April, 1986: page 53.
• William Jeanes. "Preview: Ferrari 512TR". Car and Driver (March 1992): 57–59. 

• Lamborghini Countach

<- Previous		Ferrari road car timeline, 1960s–present  v • d • e
Type		1960s										1970										1980s										1990s										2000s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
FR	GT	250				275				365 GTB/4 Daytona																												550						575M				599
		America				330		365
	2+2	250GT				330GT			365GT				GTC/4		GT4			400			400i						412							456						456 M						612
RMR	V6/V8								Dino 206		Dino 246 GT						308GTB				308i		308 QV				328				348										360						F430
														246 GTS					308 GTS		208															F355
	2+2														Dino GT4							Mondial 8		Mondial QV			3.2 Mondial				Mondial t
	flat-12														365BB			512 BB					512i BB			Testarossa							512TR			F512M
Supercar				250 GTO			250 LM																			288 GTO			F40								F50		F50 GT						Enzo			FXX

v • d • e Miami Vice
Cast	Don Johnson • Philip Michael Thomas • Edward James Olmos • Michael Talbott • John Diehl • Saundra Santiago • Olivia Brown • Gregory Sierra • Martin Ferrero • Charlie Barnett • Belinda Montgomery • Sheena Easton
Guest Stars	Guest stars
Vehicles and weapons	Cars (Ferrari Testarossa • Ferrari Daytona) • Boats • Firearms
Media	Episodes • Film • Miami Vice Game • Miami Vice DVD releases
Music	Miami Vice Theme • Jan Hammer • Tim Truman
Producers	Michael Mann • Dick Wolf • Anthony Yerkovich • Brandon Tartikoff