Ferrari 296 Speciale: more power, less weight and sharper aerodynamics

To live up to the designation - last used on the revered 458 Speciale - the new Ferrari 296 Speciale had to combine three essential ingredients: more power, lower weight and even more sophisticated aerodynamics.

The Speciale delivers on all three counts: it has 50 hp more than the 296 GTB, taking output to 880 hp; it weighs 60 kg less, at 1,410 kg dry; and it generates 435 kg of rear-axle downforce at 250 km/h, compared with 300 kg for the 296 GTB and 360 kg for the Assetto Fiorano.

Hybrid V6 makes its mark on the track

Let us begin with the engine, the true heart of any supercar. The 296 GTB was Ferrari's first road-going model powered by a V6. Before that, engines with fewer than eight or 12 cylinders had no place in Maranello's production cars - they were not considered worthy of its heritage.

Ferrari had, however, built V6 engines for its Dino marque, and later for Maserati and Alfa Romeo.

In reality, hybrid V6 engines now rule the circuits, including Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They have proved successful, too: Ferrari has won Le Mans in each of the past two editions.

That means the 296 Speciale is far from being a “lesser” Ferrari. Within the brand's current line-up, only the SF90 ranks above it for outright aggression, putting it ahead of models such as the Roma, Purosangue and even the new 12Cilindri.

Ferrari technical director Gianmaria Fulgenzi calls it “a special car among our special cars”. Marketing chief Enrico Galliera goes further: “it is the production model that delivers the greatest driving pleasure across our entire range”, highlighting five key elements: lateral and longitudinal acceleration, gearchanges, braking and sound.

And what happens when Ferrari's fully electric model removes two of those elements? Galliera smiles and concedes: “We will have to find new ways to excite drivers”.

More powerful engine, lighter chassis

The Ferrari 296 Speciale retains the 120-degree twin-turbo V6, which now develops 700 hp - a 37 hp increase - at the same 8,500 rpm, delivering an extraordinary specific output of 234 hp/l. Its upgrades include turbochargers with 13% more boost pressure, titanium connecting rods that are one-third lighter, strengthened pistons and a lightened crankshaft. Together, these changes save 9 kg.

The electric motor, positioned between the V6 and the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox - whose shifts are 30% faster - has also been upgraded. It delivers a peak 180 hp, 13 hp more, when the extraboost function is engaged; in “normal” mode, it produces 154 hp.

In fully electric mode, the 296 Speciale can reach 135 km/h and travel up to 25 km. Its 7.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, using NMC chemistry, can charge at only up to 7 kW, although it also recovers energy dynamically while driving.

The performance figures are striking: 0-100 km/h takes 2.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h takes 7.0 seconds - 7.3 seconds in the Aperta - and top speed is “above 330 km/h”. At the Fiorano circuit, the 296 Speciale is 2.5 seconds quicker than the 296 GTB, recording a lap time of 1min19s.

Competition-derived aerodynamics and chassis

Visually, the Ferrari 296 Speciale adopts a more aggressive appearance and incorporates solutions taken from the 296 Challenge racing version.

The engine is cooled by higher-flow radiators at the outer edges of the car, while carbon fibre is used extensively in the bumpers, bonnet, centre tunnel and, optionally, the engine cover. The doors are made from aluminium.

The active rear aileron is central to producing variable downforce. At the front, meanwhile, there is a new system that Ferrari engineers call an “aero damper”. It channels air rising from the car's flat floor towards an outlet in the bonnet, pressing the front axle more firmly onto the road.

Lowered by 5 mm, the suspension features stiffer titanium springs and electronic Multimatic dampers, with Magnaride dampers available as an option. The standard dynamic package is completed by Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres - 246/35 ZR20 at the front and 305/35 ZR20 at the rear - along with carbon-ceramic brakes.

Ferrari 296 Speciale cockpit focused on driving

Inside the Ferrari 296 Speciale, the atmosphere is steeped in motorsport: exposed carbon fibre, Alcantara and aluminium are joined by reduced sound insulation, allowing occupants to hear the twin-turbo V6's raspy roar more clearly. Its sound intensity has been increased, while remaining within increasingly strict legal limits.

Key features include the 16-inch digital instrument cluster and the compact 7-inch display in front of the passenger. The steering wheel groups together the main controls, including the manettino on the right, which adjusts suspension, engine/gearbox, sound and steering responses, and the e-manettino on the left, which manages the electric propulsion modes.

The seats can be specified in a more comfort-oriented form or, as an option, in sportier carbon-fibre versions. The 296 Speciale's front luggage compartment holds 169 litres, 18 litres less than the 296 GTB, with a further 112 litres available behind the seats.

Exclusivity reflected in the price

Orders for the Ferrari 296 Speciale - in both Coupé and Aperta forms - opened today, 29 April, but only for “active” customers: those who have bought a Ferrari within the past five years.

The price? Around €460,000 for the Coupé and more than half a million euros for the Aperta in Portugal. Even so, the planned production run of two to three years is expected to sell out quickly, given the enthusiasm it has generated. If a fourth reason were needed to make the 296 Speciale even more special, this could well be it.

Ferrari 296 Speciale specifications