Ferrari 849 Testarossa 4.0-litre V8 Hybrid (Electric + Petrol) Turbo Automatic

I’ve owned the SF90, and the 849 Testarossa feels like a massive leap in terms of soul. The reworked V8 has a much more aggressive, high-pitched scream that reminds you of the classic Ferraris. The acceleration is violent-0 to 100 in just over 2 seconds feels like a glitch in reality. The "Assetto Fiorano" pack I opted for makes it a track weapon, though it does make the ride quite stiff for regular city roads. The 4.4 rating is due to the sheer heat the engine bay generates; after a spirited drive, the cabin gets quite warm despite the AC being on full blast. But for the performance and the iconic nameplate, there is absolutely nothing else like it on the road today.

Taking delivery of the 849 Testarossa in Mumbai was a dream come true. The way Ferrari has blended the retro "bridge" front end with futuristic aero is just breathtaking. What surprised me most wasn't just the 1,000+ horsepower-which is frankly terrifying if you aren't careful-but the return of physical buttons on the steering wheel! It’s so much more intuitive than the old haptic touchpads. The car is incredibly complex under the skin, yet it feels surprisingly "analog" and connected when you're carving through mountain passes. I’m only giving it a 4.4 because the 25km electric-only range is a bit of a tease, and the front lift system is a mandatory extra you must buy if you want to survive Indian speed breakers.