If there is a car that symbolizes the essence of sports cars from the 80s, it is the Ferrari Testarossa. This two-seater from the Italian firm is considered one of the most emblematic and popular icons of its time. Its exceptional design and performance have elevated it to the status of a cult object among motorsports enthusiasts in general, and especially among fans of the Prancing Horse brand.
Precisely, the most staunch Ferrari fans attend with nostalgia and concern the changes that are coming to the automotive industry. For some time now, the European Union has set 2035 as the deadline for banning internal combustion engines. This fact marks a significant change in the automobile industry, where electric cars are gaining prominence, although gradually.
At the same time, the trend towards electrification and the search for more sustainable alternatives is driving the concept of retrofit. That is, the conversion of internal combustion engines to electric ones, in order to adapt cars to new regulations and market trends.
This process carried out by specialized companies is gaining more and more relevance. Vehicles of all types, from iconic classics to more modern models, are undergoing this type of transformation.
One of the most emblematic cases comes to us from Electric Classic Cars. They are one of the leading retrofit companies in the UK. It specializes in electric conversions of classic cars from the 1950s to the early 1980s, but has also developed numerous kits for different popular models. Among the latter are the Land Rover Defender, the Mini Clásico, the Porsche 911 or the Ferrari Testarossa, according to its website.
In the case of the sports car from the Maranello firm, the result of the transformation is called Teslarossa. The name is not coincidental, since it takes its inspiration from the fusion between Ferrari’s iconic Testarossa and the company founded by Elon Musk from which it adapts the electric motor of one of its models.
Aesthetically, no one doubts that the resulting car is a Testarossa. Its characteristic retractable headlights, large side air intakes and low profile distinguish it from any other car of its time. However, under the hood, the characteristic 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that equipped the more than 7,000 models that Ferrari manufactured between 1984 and 1996 is no longer hidden, but in its place is an electric drive.
In this case, the resulting Teslarossa represents a big leap from Ferrari’s original specifications. The electric motor delivers a power of 600 HP, above the 385 HP of the original engine. Likewise, a 60 kWh battery is integrated with a charging capacity of up to 150 kWh.
In terms of performance, the Teslarossa surpasses the legendary Testarossa. The additional power provided by the Tesla motor is aided by the vehicle’s weight reduction, making it faster than the original version. After the retrofit, the resulting model does not reach a ton in weight, remaining at 966 kilos, compared to the 1,500 kilos of the original model, thanks to the replacement of the engine and transmission.
As a result, it now hits 100 km/h in just over 4.5 seconds, while the Testarossa required more than 5 seconds to do so.
Although aesthetically the resulting vehicle is faithful to the original design, it is important to take into account some additional exterior aspects. On the one hand, wider tires have been installed to handle the greater power generated by the electrical system. Additionally, a complete refurbishment of the dashboard instrument panel has been carried out.
