Lightweight, track-focused Ferrari 296 Speciale revealed
Prancing Horse's still entry-level offering remains a limited edition, but now produces over 600 kW from its plug-in hybrid V6.
Speciale name returns after last being offered on the 296's predecessor, the 488. Image: Ford
Ferrari has taken the wraps off the most hardcore iteration of its hybrid V6 supercar yet, revealing the 296 Speciale and its open-top sibling, the 296 Speciale Aperta.
PHEV twist
Both models serve as spiritual successors to the 458 Speciale and 488 Pista, delivering better performance and sharper driver engagement while tipping the scales significantly less than the standard models.
At the heart of both lies the now-familiar 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine producing a 515kW/755Nm. Paired with Ferrari's hybrid system though, the combined total system out comes to 648 kW.
Revised aerodynamics results in the Speciale producing 435 kg of downforce at 250 km/h. Image: Ferrari
Handling shifting duties is an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. The claimed all-electric range from the 7.4-kWh battery pack, which produces 113 kW, is 25 km.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Ferrari 296 GTB introduces a new breed to South Africa
As expected of a car bearing the Speciale badge, weight-saving measures have been a major focus. The coupe tips the scales at 1 410 kg.
Unlike the standard 296, the cabriolet adopts the Aperta name rather than GTS. Image: Ferrari
Ferrari's 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution continues and performance figures claim a top speed of 330 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h in seven seconds. Braking from 200 km/h to a standstill takes 106 metres.
The 296 Speciale's dimensions haven't changed significantly from its standard counterpart. Its length measures 4 625 mm, width 1 968 mm, height 1 181 mm and wheelbase 2 600 mm.
Interior has undergone subtle changes. Image: Ferrari
Aerodynamic changes abound, from a reprofiled front with an S-duct-style intake and larger cooling apertures to a reworked rear diffuser and active aero elements. Downforce is up by 20% compared to the standard 296 GTB, generating 435 kg at 250 km/h.
The open-top Aperta shares the same mechanicals and performance but brings the retractable folding roof hard-top roof.
Not yet for us
Both models are due for global rollout from early 2026 and while Ferrari hasn't pegged the Speciale and Speciale Aperta as limited editions, production will be shorter than usual to ensure exclusivity.
Italian pricing starts at €407 000 for the coupe and €462 000 for the Aperta, which amounts to R8 607 073 and R9 770 191 when converted directly into Rand.
NOW READ: Ferrari 296 GTB retracts its roof, becomes 296 GTS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Watch: Ferrari F80 dubbed ‘fastest road car' they've ever been in by Hamilton, Leclerc
Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton hare the sentiment that the Ferrari F80 is the quickest road car they have ever been in. Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari journey is off to a flying start — quite literally. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who recently joined the Scuderia, has already had his hands on the steering wheel of the company's most powerful road car to date: the Ferrari F80. Not long after his first day at Maranello — where he posed beside the iconic F40, Enzo Ferrari's final signed-off creation — Hamilton made headlines again by expressing a desire to one day bring a modern homage to life, rumoured to be called the 'F44'. But while that project brews in the background, Hamilton is clearly wasting no time enjoying what's already on offer. Invited by Ferrari to drive the F80 around the Fiorano test circuit, Hamilton joined current teammate Charles Leclerc for a high-speed session in the hybrid hypercar. And the verdict? As expected, glowing. 'Fastest road car I've ever been in,' the Brit enthused — quite the statement from someone who's piloted the Mercedes-AMG One, a car built with Formula 1 tech and a Nürburgring lap record under its belt. Clearly impressed, Hamilton even hinted at adding the F80 to his personal garage: 'Okay, I've got to order me some of these one day.' With only 799 examples planned and reportedly already spoken for, one would imagine Ferrari might still make a plan for its newest star signing. 'This is another level,' he added, calling it 'the fastest road car Ferrari has done.' Leclerc, meanwhile, is no stranger to the F80. The Monégasque driver was part of the hypercar's launch campaign, having previously driven it at Fiorano shortly after its official reveal. Before his departure from the team, Carlos Sainz Jr. also sampled a camouflaged prototype and gave it his stamp of approval. Now racing for Williams, the Spaniard was one of the first to get a taste of the electrified machine. As for Hamilton, despite owning a Pagani Zonda (which he once described as 'terrible to drive' but praised for its soundtrack), the V6-powered F80 appears to have left a far greater impression — both in performance and refinement. Whether or not the F44 concept sees the light of day, the F80 is already proving a fitting welcome gift for Hamilton in red. Watch the video here:
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Robert Kubica happy to silence critics with Le Mans victory
Robert Kubica said his triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday, 14 years after a near-fatal rally crash that partially severed his right forearm, should erase doubts about his capacity to compete in motor racing. The 40-year-old former Formula One driver became the first Polish overall winner of the French endurance race in a car shared with Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson. "I don't think my limitations are limiting behind the wheel. I think if someone had doubts in the past I showed the doubts should not be in place," he told the BBC. Kubica, the first Polish Formula One driver, won the Canadian Grand Prix and finished fourth overall in 2008. He was linked with a move to Ferrari before the crash sidelined him for nearly a year. He returned to motor racing in 2012, focusing mostly on endurance races, before making a return to Formula One in 2019. "There were very extreme quotes from some people which hurt me because I am the first one who would never like to be back for marketing or a being a PR muppet," Kubica said. "People pointing the finger, saying maybe it wasn't safe, and having doubts. They are not doing it any more."
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Ferrari pushes back second EV launch to 2028 amid low demand
Ferrari has announced long-term plans to sell EVs and Reuters previously reported it has a second EV model under development, but the carmaker has not publicly disclosed any plans beyond its first EV. Other sports car makers have postponed or scaled back their electric ambitions because of a lack of consumer interest. Ferrari's Italian rival Lamborghini, a unit of Volkswagen, said in December it will launch its first electric model in 2029 instead of 2028 and Germany's Porsche cut back its plans for EVs amid soft sales of its electric Macan SUV and Taycan models. Earlier this year Maserati, the luxury brand of Stellantis, cancelled plans for an electric version of its MC20 sports car. The plan for a second Ferrari EV has been delayed twice by the Maranello, Italy-based company. Initially there was a one-year postponement, but the model will launch in 2028 at the earliest, the second source said, adding demand for high-performance is "zero". The source said internally, Ferrari's second electric car is seen as the real game changer for its EV strategy, while the first one is more of a low-volume, symbolic milestone model that will meet its promise to launch its first EV in 2026. Ferrari's first EV, co-designed by former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive, will cost more than $500,000 (R8,914,700), Reuters reported last year. One source described it as an atypical model for Ferrari, saying it would be larger than normal, but it would not be an SUV. The source said the second EV model will be more in line with the company's strategy of delivering around 5,000 to 6,000 units over a five-year lifespan for a typical Ferrari model, which is unsustainable because of a lack of customer interest. Ferrari will present its new long-term business plan to investors on October 9.
