The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most sought-after classic cars in the world with prices going as high as AED 147 million and it is extremely rare too. Buying one is hard, however, if you really want one, there is a slightly different alternative. It looks exactly like the 250 Testa Rossa, but is much smaller and powered by electricity. Here’s all you need to know about the Ferrari Testa Rossa J, simply known as the Mini Ferrari.
Classic Car Appeal & The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
There are thousands of buyers across the world who are of the strong opinion that none of the modern cars are capable of coming close to the raw and pure driving feel an old car provides. If you’re one of them, you are a classic car enthusiast. You can check out classic cars for sale in the UAE. And if you’re wondering about ownership and registration formalities for such old cars, here’s how you can register a classic car in the UAE.
If you’re into classic cars and especially into classic sports cars, there are high chances that you absolutely love and adore the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. It was created to race in the World Sports Car Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 250 Testa Rossa is touted to be one of the most beautiful racecars ever built.
It was powered by a 3.0-litre carburetor-fed V12 engine producing around 300hp. It was a high-revving engine and peak power came in only at around 7,000rpm. The engine head covers were painted in a bright shade of Red, and this is exactly what gave the car its name — Testa Rossa translates to ‘Red Head’ in Italian.
Race Victories:
- World Sports Car Championship Races – 10
- 24 Hours Of Le Mans – 3
- 12 Hours Of Sebring – 3
- 1000 Km Buenos Aires – 2
- Targa Florio – 1
- Pescara 4 Hours – 1
Seeing the Ferrari 250 Testarossa doing insane speeds on the Le Mans straight while the V12 howls away at over 7,000rpm is goosebumps-inducing. Watching videos and drooling over pictures of the 250 Testa Rossa is one thing. However, if you want to buy one of them, things become a lot more difficult. Firstly, it is extremely rare — only 33 units were ever made. Secondly, whenever you do manage to find one, prices are off the roof!
In 2014, a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for nearly $40 million (AED 146.9 million). However, there is a way for you to own a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa without really owning one. It is readily available, maintenance costs are next to nothing and it is environment-friendly too, thanks to its electric powertrain. Meet the Ferrari Testa Rossa J, produced by The Little Car Company.
The Little Car Company
As the name suggests, the brand, formed in 2019, is dedicated to the development and production of exotic and high-quality scaled-down versions of high-value classic cars. Located at Bicester Heritage in the UK, the engineering and manufacturing company produces cars that are officially licensed from their OEMs.
The cars produced by The Little Car Company are only 75% of the scale of the original they mimic. Cars produced so far include the Bugatti Baby II, Aston Martin DB5 Junior & Ferrari Testa Rossa J. The brand recently revealed the Tamiya Wild One Max which will go into production in 2024.
Mini Ferrari — Testa Rossa J
The Testa Rossa J produced by The Little Car Company is an officially licensed product from Ferrari. It was developed with inputs from Ferrari and was built to the historical specifications and dimensions of the original 250 Testa Rossa, using original drawings from the 1950s. In fact, the paint and leather used in the little car are exactly identical to the paint and leather used in Ferrari’s new road-going cars.
So, as far as owning a Ferrari goes, it is the real deal. How close is it to the real 250 Testa Rossa though? Well, for starters, it is 75% of the original’s size. So it looks smaller. If the size is set aside, every single detail remains identical. Be it the wire-spoke wheels, the shape, and proportion of the panels, the tubular chassis, headlamps, or even the rear end, it is a perfect replica.
It really is all about the details with this one. The bench seat is trimmed in genuine leather. The steering wheel is made by Nardi because the original 250 Testa Rossa also featured a Nardi-supplied steering wheel. The instrument panel and gauges use the same fonts as the original car from 1957. It is quite obvious that The Little Car Company has painstakingly recreated every single detail possible.
High-Revving V12 Replaced By Quiet Electric Motor
The one thing that’s missing from the faithful replica is the Ferrari V12 engine. Instead, it uses an electric motor. The motor produces 16.1hp which is enough to take this mini Ferrari to a top speed of 80km/h. There is a novice mode that restricts the power output to 1.3hp and this is to allow children to learn how to drive safely.
Ferrari Testa Rossa J Driving Modes:
- Novice Mode – 1.3hp
- Comfort Mode – 5.4hp
- Sport Mode – 13.4hp
- Race Mode – 16.1hp
Battery Specs:
- 3 x 2kWh Battery Packs
- Charging Time: 4 Hours
- Range: 96.5 Kilometres
However, this isn’t just another toy for kids. In fact, it is a collector’s item. There are hundreds of car collectors across the world who want to get their hands on a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. However, only 33 exist. Quite obviously then, the collectors would get their hands on the next best thing — the Testa Rossa J.
The fact that it handles like an old Ferrari makes it feel more genuine. It rides on Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs, and the dynamics are tuned by Ferrari engineers. In fact, it even comes with a Ferrari Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), making the experience all the more genuine. Only 299 units of these Testa Rossa J EVs will be produced.
It costs around AED 390,000, which isn’t exactly cheap. However, it is only 0.27% of the cost of the original Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, and that makes it a steal. If you’re looking for alternatives, check out used sports cars for sale in the UAE & new sports cars for sale in the UAE.
Check out new Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE and used Ferrari cars for sale in the UAE.
Also Read:
– Top Tips To Increase Your EV’s Battery Life
– Affordable Tesla Models Announced — Up To AED 37,000 Cheaper
– Top 10 Cars From The 1980s That Redefined Speed & Power
