New Ferrari 296 Speciale Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

When Rory drove the convertible GTS version of the Ferrari 296 he said it was “hands down the fastest and most exciting Ferrari on sale today.” Turns out that was yesterday’s news, though, because there’s a new 296 out. And it’s … faster and more exciting!
• Speciale versions of 296 GTB and GTS take lessons learned from racing and apply them to the road, with improvements to the engine, hybrid system, suspension and aerodynamics • Combined power for the V6 petrol engine and electric motor is now 880 horsepower, up from the 830 horsepower of the standard 296 • Extra vents, scoops and wings are the most obvious visual differences and deliver proper downforce as well as posing cred • Black trim between lights, on engine deck and for roof panel also help set the Speciale apart, along with option of racing stripes and numbers if really want to hammer the point home • Speciale can still drive for around 15 miles on electric power alone for stealthy departures for your early morning blasts along the lanes • No price confirmed yet but it won’t be cheap, and availability will likely be limited to preserve future values as well

Ferrari has a long history of building track-inspired versions of its core, mid-engined sports cars and they’ve been some of its best, the previous 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista celebrated as pure drivers’ cars, their open equivalents just as popular. Rather than spread the love as before Ferrari has launched both Speciale and convertible Speciale A versions at the same time, these based on the respective 296 GTB coupe and GTS convertibles. Both get the same technical and styling upgrades, the Speciale A perhaps a fraction less track focused thanks to its open top style. But only a fraction slower. And arguably more exciting with the wind in your hair at over 200mph!

Ferrari’s special models offer a flavour being in a racing car, without ditching the creature comforts you’d hope for in a road car. This means more carbon fibre and Alcantara trim, lightweight construction like one-piece carbon door cards and a more ‘technical’ vibe.

This being a plug-in hybrid there are batteries AND engines to consider, and both electric and petrol powered elements have been upgraded for even more power, response and sound. Not that the regular 296 was lacking in any of these departments before. If Top Trumps is even still a thing (ask your dad) the important numbers are 880 horsepower with petrol and engine combined, a total of 50 horsepower more than before to make it the most powerful rear-wheel drive Ferrari road car ever sold. Even with the hybrid tech the Speciale is impressively light, though Ferrari only claims a ‘dry’ weight without fuel or other fluids. So, not in a condition you could actually drive it. But, for comparison, the Speciale is 60kg lighter than the 296 GTB by the same measure. Which, combined with the extra power, is significant.

If you think you can rock up to the Ferrari dealership and just buy a Speciale up front you’re probably out of luck – cars of this nature tend to go to favoured clients with a proven track record of previous ownership. Console yourself with a regular 296 for now, stay on good terms with your dealer and maybe you’ll be ‘allowed’ to buy the next one. Don’t expect to do so without adding another hefty chunk to the eventual price in extras, though.

Ferrari tends to keep its cards close to its chest on its new products, but is also relentless in its rate of technical development so no doubt has something suitably spectacular coming.

Supercar manufacturers are, by nature, competitive types and Ferrari needed something to offer against the new 920 horsepower Lamborghini Temarario, which is also a hybrid. Expect McLaren to field an upgraded version of its equivalent Artura hybrid supercar as well, likely under the LT branding it’s used for its own range of track-optimised specials.