Hardcore Ferrari 296 Speciale Unveiled With V6 Plug-in Hybrid And A Focus On Driver Involvement
Following in the footsteps of the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista—cars known for their enhanced performance and increased driving involvement—Ferrari has just unveiled the new 296 Speciale Coupe and Aperta, which join an illustrious lineage of limited-edition Ferrari berlinettas.
The 296 Speciale, like its predecessors, improves upon the base vehicle, in this case the 296 GTB, by adding track-focused improvements, cutting weight, and boosting power. As a result, the vehicle is directly targeted at the brand’s most devoted customers.
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It is now the most potent rear-wheel-drive Ferrari road car to history, with a total power boost of 880 horsepower, a 50 horsepower increase over the GTB. Changes in aerodynamics are equally important. With 435 kg produced at 250 kph, downforce is 20% more than the GTB. Another key priority has been weight loss. The 296 Speciale has titanium engine parts, carbon-fiber bodywork, and a simplified cabin, and it weighs 60 kg less than the GTB. This results in a weight of only 1,410 kg (coupe), which sets a new record for a rear-drive Ferrari and equates to a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 1.6 kg per horsepower.
More significantly, the business claims that this is their finest example of “driving fun,” pushing the boundaries of five essential automotive features: braking, acceleration, gear changes, lateral grip, and—most importantly—sound.
Like the 458 from two generations ago, the most recent Ferrari special edition is similarly referred to as the “Speciale” and it arrives four years after the standard 296. Ferrari claims that its admirers dubbed this vehicle that while it was being developed, so the company decided to continue with it and officially use the “Speciale” designation.
A 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and an electric motor still make up the hybrid powertrain, but both parts have been greatly upgraded. When the eManettino lever on the steering wheel is set to “Qualify,” the electric motor now produces 315 Nm and up to 180 horsepower. Ferrari was able to fine-tune the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster, harsher shifts that strike with even more immediacy thanks to its “Extra Boost” function, which provides a burst of power in between gear changes.
With the turbos nestled inside the cylinder banks for a more compact and responsive layout, the V6 engine maintains its unique 120-degree architecture and hot-vee configuration. Thanks to race-bred improvements from the one-make 296 Challenge series, the combustion engine alone can now generate 700 horsepower, which is 37 horsepower more than the standard 296 GTB. These include stronger pistons, a lighter crankshaft, and titanium con-rods. A knock-control system inspired by Formula 1 allows the engine to safely operate closer to its limits. According to Ferrari, the 296 GTB can reach 100 kph in 2.8 seconds, which is 0.1 seconds faster than the standard 296. It can also reach 200 kph in an incredible 7 seconds.
Mounted between the engine and the transmission, the electric motor starts the internal combustion engine, recharges the 7.45kWh high-voltage battery, and allows for a 25km electric-only range. In order to smoothly transition between the four driving modes—eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify—a specialized clutch decouples the motor from the engine.
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The production period of the Ferrari 296 Speciale Coupe and Aperta will be restricted, not the quantity of cars produced. In the first quarter of 2026, Ferrari will formally introduce the 296 Speciale Coupe to the world. The Aperta will follow in the second quarter, around three months later. The arrival of the 296 Speciale versions in India is uncertain, however it is anticipated to occur in late 2026.
Ferrari’s track-focused specials have always provided the purest thrills, even though the company’s ordinary road vehicles have grown more potent and sophisticated. These models, which range from the 488 Pista to the 360 Challenge Stradale, have continuously improved the standard for agility and engagement. With the added difficulty of operating in a new hybrid era, the 296 Speciale appears to be set to accomplish the same on paper.
