Mini-me Ferrari Testa Rossa J costs $150,000
Latest ride-on model is claimed to have been created with original car's blueprintsFerrari has teamed up with the UK's Little Car Company to create a 75 per cent scale replica of its legendary 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa race car.
Not to be confused with the far later 1980s mid-engined supercar that used a flat-12 engine, the original Testa Rossa was the incredibly successful race car that was campaigned by Ferrari from 1957 through to 1962.
Designed to be driven by anyone over the age of 14, the new shrunken tribute to the racer is called the Ferrari Testa Rossa J and is part of an official collaboration with the Prancing Horse brand that saw the Maranello-based supercar-maker supply original design drawings to help with its creation.
The result is said to be a faithful replica that features a hand-beaten aluminium body, while the leather for the seats and the traditional Racing Red paint is sourced from Ferrari.
Featuring a Nardi steering wheel, Brembo brakes and Pirelli tyres, plus a Bilstein suspension and chassis that was signed-off by real Ferrari test drivers at the Fiorano test circuit, everything from the instrument panel is claimed to be an accurate recreation – with one major exception.
Under the front bonnet, the development budget didn't stretch to shrinking the real car's epic 3.0-litre V12 Colombo engine, so the ride-on toy produces significantly less than the racer's 220kW.
In its place is a pure-electric powertrain that produces 12kW and can be driven in four driving modes - Novice, Comfort, Sport and Race.
The latter allows full power and enables an adult and a teen on board to travel at more than 60km/h. The range is said to be capped at 90km.
Designed to be fun to drive on track, the Ferrari Testa Rosa J also features a hydraulic handbrake that suggests it could be capable of J-turns, but we suggest if you're going to drive it flat out you might want to tick the box for the optional rollover bar.
It's available in 14 classic race liveries or one of 53 standard colours, while other options include upgrading from the standard wire wheels.
Priced from a dizzying €93,000 ($A148,500) before tax and options, the Testa Rosa J is serious money – but still chickenfeed compared to the value of one of the 33 cars Ferrari made.
Back in 2014, a 250 TR (chassis #0704) reportedly sold for an incredible $US39.8 million ($A54.8m).
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