Performance Review: Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari Testarossa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Ferrari Testarossa has a 4943cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F12's includes the 1994 Ferrari 512 M

The Testarossa shares its Petrol F12 engine configuration with the likes of the 1994 Ferrari 512 M and the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Testarossa's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1630 kgs (3593 lbs) this makes the Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari Testarossa shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 4943cc 48V F12 engine produces 390 bhp (290 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F12 throws out 362 lb-ft (490.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari Testarossa you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG Coupe (264.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari Testarossa.

The Ferrari Testarossa has a Power to weight ratio of 239.2 bhp per ton and 222.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 Testarossa competing with the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG Coupe (264.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG Cabriolet (264.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari Testarossa generating around 222.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro (246.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (246.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Testarossa and the 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari Testarossa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.14 secs @ 104.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 (13.08 secs), the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs), and the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (13.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 Testarossa equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

1984 Testarossa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison