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The Ferrari Testarossa is an automobile made by Ferrari that which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari 512 BB. It shouldn't be confused with the "shark-nose" Ferrari 400 Testa Rossa, a GT sports car that ran in the World Championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The name, which means "red head", comes from the red painted cylinder heads on the flat-12 engine. The engine was technically a 180° V engine since it shared flat-plane crankshaft pins with opposing cylinders. Output was 390 hp, 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, 512TRs, and 512Ms were produced, making this one of the most common Ferrari models despite its high price and exotic design.
The car was based strongly on the 512 BB. Both shared the same basic platform, though the Testarossa added coilover shocks to the double wishbones at the rear. The engine was similar, too, though it now featured 4 valves per cylinder and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. 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 impressive side slits and strakes as well as the wide body.
The Testarossa was also notable for its appearance in the 1980s TV series Miami Vice, making it one of the most recognized Ferraris since the 308 GTS used on Magnum P.I.. The Testarossa also appeared in Sega's hit coin-op game Outrun.
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512TR
The original Testarossa was modified for 1991 and released as the 512TR. It bumped the output of the 4.9 L engine to 428 hp.
F512M
The Modificata F512M was the final Testarossa, with power now climbing to 440 hp. Released in 1994, it was the company's last mid-engined 12-cylinder car, apart from the F50 and Enzo supercars, and featured the company's last flat engine. It was replaced in 1996 by the front-engined 550 Maranello coupe.
Ferrari road car timeline, 1960-present
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