Ferrari’s speciality has always been making already-bonkers cars even more extreme, and the new 296 Speciale follows this philosophy to perfection. Taking what was already one of the most impressive supercars on the market and dialing everything up a notch, the Speciale transforms the “entry-level” 296 GTB into something that can lap Ferrari’s Fiorano test track as quickly as the mighty SF90 Stradale – despite having two fewer cylinders.
The Symphony of Six
The heart of the 296 Speciale remains the same 120-degree twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain, but Ferrari’s engineers have gone through it with surgical precision to extract even more performance. Boost pressure has been increased by 3 psi, requiring beefed-up pistons and titanium connecting rods borrowed directly from the upcoming F80 hypercar. The crankshaft is lighter, and Ferrari even went as far as machining away excess material from the engine block and cylinder heads – an approach borrowed from the Le Mans-winning 499P race car.
All told, the V6’s output jumps from 654 to 691 horsepower, while the electric motor gets its own boost from 165 to 178 ponies thanks to improved cooling. The combined system output now stands at an eye-watering 868 horsepower, which we might add, makes this the most powerful rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari ever built. That’s right, it’s even more potent than Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12 models, all while weighing around 132 pounds less than a standard 296 GTB.
Track-Derived Aero Magic
Where the Speciale really separates itself from the standard 296 is in the aerodynamics department. Downforce increases by a massive 20 percent, thanks to numerous clever innovations lifted directly from Ferrari’s motorsport programs. The most visually apparent change is an “aero damper” vent in the hood just before the windshield, connected to a duct that originates at the front splitter. According to Ferrari, this setup helps maintain consistent front downforce regardless of ride height changes – a technology borrowed straight from the 296 Challenge race car.
At the rear, new “Gamma” wings (short side wings that flank a more effective retractable spoiler) work in concert with a substantially reworked underbody and diffuser. The result is 959 pounds of downforce at 155 mph.
Built for Drivers, Not Just Numbers
Despite the extreme performance—0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-124 mph in just 7 seconds—Ferrari’s chief product development officer insists the 296 Speciale remains a street car focused on “extreme driving pleasure.” The suspension has been tweaked with titanium springs (15 percent stiffer than standard), more aggressive camber settings, and a 0.2-inch lower ride height. The car rides on specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires derived from those used on the upcoming F80 hypercar.
Inside, the quest for weight reduction continues with carbon fiber door panels that are cleverly sculpted rather than simply being flat panels. The speakers don’t have conventional grilles; Ferrari simply drilled an array of holes in the carbon fiber to let the sound through. It’s these obsessive details that make the Speciale, well, special.
Spec Sheet
Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with hybrid assistance
Power: 868 hp combined (691 hp from V6, 178 hp from electric motor)
Torque: 557 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch with faster shift times
Weight Reduction: 132 pounds versus standard 296 GTB
Downforce: 959 pounds at 155 mph (20% increase)
0-60 mph: 2.8 seconds
0-124 mph: 7.0 seconds
Fiorano Lap Time: 1 minute, 19 seconds (matches SF90 Stradale)
Top Speed: Unchanged at 205 mph
Special Paint: Verde Nürburgring (developed specifically for this model)
Pricing & Availability
The 296 Speciale will arrive in U.S. coupe form during the first quarter of 2026, with the Speciale A convertible following about three months later. While official U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced, expect a base price approaching $500,000. Ferrari has stated it will absorb the 25 percent import tariff on this model rather than passing the cost to customers.
Of course, all of this is academic since the entire production run is already sold out. Only existing Ferrari clients were allowed to order one, and they were all snapped up before the car was even officially announced.
Recap
Ferrari 296 Speciale
Elevating hybrid V6 performance with race-derived tech, this ultimate berlinetta sheds 132 pounds while boosting output to 868 hp and adding 20% more downforce – creating a rear-drive masterpiece that matches Ferrari’s AWD flagship around Fiorano.
