Back in 2017, Tesla sent me the Model S for Kids for being one of their top affiliates. Sally loved that little electric car. Then she grew too big for it.
Ferrari saw how much my daughter has grown these past few years and decided that she needed a car that matches her new status as a teenager. So the Ferrari Testa Rossa J, a 3/4 scale model of the 1957 Testa Rossa, was born. And it can be yours for only €93,000 ($110,000 USD). But you have to hurry. Ferrari is making only 299 units.
Now you might say paying more than the price of a new Porsche Taycan for a toy car is just ridiculous. I say you’re a terrible parent if you choose the Porsche for yourself instead of an overpriced toy for your child. Considering the original Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa are changing hands for up to $40 million, This 3/4 scale model is quite the bargain!
The car is built in collaboration with The Little Car Company, an upscale builder of of ultra expensive children’s cars. The scaled down TR looks almost exactly like a real 250 Testa Rossa. If it’s not parked next to something for scale, you would believe you’re looking at the real thing.
Attention to detail is exquisite: the bodywork is constructed from hand-beaten aluminium, the same process that was employed in historical models. The paint is the same as that applied to Ferrari’s present road car range, as is the insignia on the front.
To accurately recreate the intricate chassis of the 250 Testa Rossa, the original paper drawings from the Ferrari Classiche Department were scanned and digitally recreated. The junior car retains the same steering and suspension geometry, giving it authentic handling to match its original appearance.
The same meticulous detail is found in the interior. Ferrari’s Styling Centre has designed a single seat that accommodates an adult and a teen, faithfully incorporating the piping motif of the original and using the same high quality leather upholstery found in the Ferrari range today. The steering wheel is made by Nardi, the same specialist company that supplied the 1957 model, and features Ferrari’s smallest-ever quick-release system to facilitate driver entry. The classic dials have been remastered and repurposed for their new role in an electric car, but retain the original design and fonts. The oil and water gauges now monitor the battery and motor temperatures, while the fuel gauge is now the battery gauge and the tachometer has become a speedometer. There is even a power gauge which also shows the level of regenerative braking being deployed.
As a nod to the current generation of road cars, the pedals are from the F8 Tributo and the tires are supplied by Pirelli, Ferrari’s official technical partner, fitted on the handmade 12 inch wire wheels. Suspension is taken care of with Bilstein coilover dampers and custom springs which were fine-tuned and signed off by Ferrari’s test divers at the Fiorano test track in Maranello. The idea of adult Ferrari test drivers attacking Fiorano in a children’s ride-on toy is an image I can’t get out of my head.
Performance and safety
The three batteries powering the electric motor are positioned at the front of the car, and provide approximately 90 km range, depending on driving style. The batteries are accessed under the front bonnet, while the car can also be charged where the fuel cap previously resided.
The ‘Manettino’ dial gives the choice of four driving modes. The Novice mode (1 kW / 20 km/h) eases rookie drivers into the driving experience with controlled acceleration and the ability to remotely disable the car from a distance with a key fob. The Comfort mode (4 kW / 45 km/h), Sport and Race modes become progressively sportier, with instantly responsive acceleration and increased maximum speeds.
The car is also very safe for your precious one to drive: the metal side panels were reinforced and an optional roll-bar can be anchored to the chassis. Brembo disc brakes replace the original drum system to maximize braking performance, and these are complemented by a hydraulic handbrake.
Customization
The Ferrari Testa Rossa J offers a wide range of personalization and colour combinations. The Ferrari Classiche department carried out extensive research into all the liveries that have adorned the 250 Testa Rossa throughout its racing career. An online car configurator allows rich parents to choose from 14 historical liveries, 53 bodywork colours and additional personalized racing liveries, all authentically in keeping with Ferrari style.
