40 Years from Launch, There’s a Coilover Kit for the Ferrari Testarossa
German suspension specialist KW has taken its sweet time, but now, four decades since the debut of the Testarossa it has unveiled a coilover upgrade for the RADwood-era Ferrari.
The V3 Classic kit is the company’s first system for a classic Ferrari and actually comprises six spring-and-damper pairings as the Testarossa has an unusual twin rear set-up.
KW promises that with its coilovers in place the redhead will take corners more quickly and deliver improved handling, straight-line stability and ride comfort. “The overall handling remains sporty and direct, but the occupants will appreciate the more contemporary ride comfort, even on secondary roads,” says KW.
The V3 Classic coilovers uses KW’s latest multi-valve technology which, as the name suggests, features a number of valves in each damper. This means it can react to high and low-speed impacts independently, effectively increasing the operating range and the car’s handling. The damper rebound and compression settings can be fine-tuned for different wheel and tire combinations and the units are available in KW’s yellow and purple colors or a more subdued black.
What’s perhaps even more impressive is that KW has also developed a hydraulic lift kit as an option. The Testarossa was built in a time before the proliferation of speed humps and by raising the nose by 1.8 inches at the press of a button owners need never fear of scraping the car’s low nose again. The system automatically drops the ride height back to normal at above 40 mph.
Adding the lift system tacks €2000 ($2200) onto the €6999 ($7750) price of the kit and you’ll need to factor in shipping costs and taxes. Currently it’s only available for the original Testarossa built from 1984 to 1991 and not the later 512TR and F512M.
Cue up “Lowrider” by WAR.
I got V3’s on my C8 and it rides like shit. I have it as soft as it’ll go and it’s too stiff and bouncy. Unacceptable for $3500.00
Aren’t V3 coilovers listed as “race parts for the street”? What did you expect, a pillow soft ride?
The springs match the car color. Would be interesting if they had multiple colors of springs. Either way I would be curious to see what the improvements are. I can’t imagine too many Testarossa owners are looking to change but a few might.
Years ago I was in Frosinine, Italy for work. I came out of my hotel in the morning waiting for my ride and there was a red Testarossa parked outside. I was walking around it very reapectfully with my have folder behind my back, just looking it over (maybe drooling a little). My driver showed up, got out of his car, lit a cigarette and leaned / sat on the Ferraris front fender while he smoked it. I was horrified! He said, “it’s just a Ferrari” with an expression that said “Fiat”.