Ferrari 296 Speciale: The Ultimate Evolution of Hybrid Supercar Performance

Thrillcrafted Engineering - In the world of supercars, heritage is more than just a legacy—it’s a challenge. Every new model carries the weight of its predecessors, and each innovation must both respect the past and redefine the future. In this spirit, Ferrari has once again ignited the imagination of enthusiasts with its latest creation: the Ferrari 296 Speciale. With racing DNA flowing through every component, this car isn’t just a successor to the 296 GTB—it’s a thoroughbred built to honor Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of performance and passion.

The new Ferrari 296 Speciale was officially launched on April 29, 2025, in Maranello, Italy. (Picture from: Reuters)

Born in Maranello and developed with insights pulled straight from Ferrari’s motorsport playbook, the 296 Speciale represents a bridge between road-going exhilaration and track-honed precision. This model inherits the soul of legends like the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista. Designed for those who understand the thrill of a perfectly executed corner and the satisfaction of raw, unfiltered acceleration, the 296 Speciale is Ferrari’s answer to purists who crave more than just speed—they seek sensation.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale is available in two versions: the Coupe starts at €400,000, while the Aperta variant, equipped with a retractable hardtop that opens in just 14 seconds, starts at €460,000. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

At the core of the 296 Speciale lies a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, a compact powerhouse engineered with relentless attention to detail. Paired with a high-performance electric motor, the hybrid setup produces a staggering total output of 880 horsepower—an increase of 50 hp over the standard 296 GTB. The combustion engine alone pushes out 700 hp, thanks to precision upgrades like titanium connecting rods and a lighter crankshaft, enhancements drawn directly from the race-proven 296 GT3 and Challenge programs.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale features a distinctive front vent called the aero damper, positioned just before the windshield and linked to a duct that channels air from a prominent intake above the center of the splitter. (Picture from: ItalPassion.fr)

But it’s not just about power—it’s also about balance. Ferrari stripped away 60 kilograms from the car’s total weight, utilizing carbon fiber extensively throughout the body and cabin. The result is not only a lighter car but a more agile and responsive machine. Acceleration figures speak for themselves: 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in a blistering 7.0 seconds, edging out the 296 GTB in both benchmarks.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale features an interior familiar to modern Ferrari models, but distinguished by extensive use of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim. (Picture from: ItalPassion.fr)

Chassis dynamics have been completely reimagined for maximum engagement. Borrowing suspension components from the GT3 race car and gripping the asphalt with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, the 296 Speciale delivers both stability and excitement. Advanced aerodynamics contribute up to 435 kilograms of downforce, helping the car remain planted during aggressive maneuvers. The center of gravity has been lowered, ABS Evo has been fine-tuned, and the overall driving experience is now more immersive and race-like than ever before.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale builds on the legacy of its predecessors with true performance enhancements, as Ferrari’s engineers and designers have refined every element of this exotic sports car to elevate its capabilities to new heights. (Picture from: ItalPassion.fr)

Every detail is engineered for heightened emotion. From lightning-fast gear shifts to the redesigned single-outlet exhaust that enriches the V6 soundtrack, this Ferrari is meant to be felt as much as driven. Braking has been sharpened, hybrid response calibrated, and handling tuned to deliver a driving experience that feels immediate and raw. On Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, the 296 Speciale posted an impressive lap time of 1 minute and 19 seconds—2.5 seconds faster than the 488 Pista.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale incorporates underbody ducts to cool the front and rear brakes, while small scoops on the rockers ahead of the rear wheels channel airflow to streamline movement around the wide rear tires. (Picture from: ItalPassion.fr)

Available in two versions, the Coupe starts at €400,000 while the Aperta variant, featuring a retractable hardtop that opens in just 14 seconds, begins at €460,000. Deliveries for the coupe are set for early next year, with the spider version arriving in the following quarter.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale features new "Gamma" wings at the rear—short side elements that enhance downforce, reduce drag, and optimize cooling for the inverter and oil cooler—flanking a central movable rear spoiler that rises almost vertically from the tail. (Picture from: ItalPassion.fr)

Of course, Ferrari isn’t alone in this high-stakes arena. The Lamborghini Temerario, its most direct rival, enters the fray with a mighty 920 hp V8 hybrid. Although it narrowly edges out the 296 Speciale in the 0-100 km/h sprint by a tenth of a second, Ferrari’s advantage in weight allows it to outperform its rival in the dash to 200 km/h. Still, Lamborghini’s power advantage casts a long shadow, keeping the rivalry alive and fierce in the hybrid supercar space.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale Aperta variant, equipped with a retractable hardtop that opens in just 14 seconds. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

While not a limited-edition model, the 296 Speciale is being kept intentionally exclusive. Its production cycle will be shorter than Ferrari’s typical four-to-five-year span, and order preference is given to clients who’ve interacted with Ferrari dealerships within the last five years. It’s a car designed not to broaden the customer base, but to reward loyal enthusiasts who crave authenticity in every detail.

The Ferrari 296 Speciale (pictured here in the Aperta variant) is a car crafted not to expand the customer base, but to reward loyal enthusiasts who value authenticity in every detail. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

This launch also sets the stage for a turning point in Ferrari’s journey. With the company preparing to reveal its first all-electric vehicle this October, the 296 Speciale marks the final chapter of a hybrid era that still embraces combustion’s visceral magic. Ferrari's dedication to diverse powertrains—including petrol, hybrid, and electric—demonstrates its intent to evolve without compromising its essence. | QdllBipwjT8 |

The Ferrari 296 Speciale isn’t just a car—it’s a declaration. A precise, powerful, and passionate tribute to everything Ferrari stands for, it embodies the spirit of motorsport while looking firmly toward the future. For those who understand that true performance is about connection as much as speed, this Speciale delivers in ways numbers alone never could. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | ITALPASSION.FR | REUTERS | MOTOR1 | CARANDDRIVER | NDTV ]

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