FERRARI UNVEILS THE 296 SPECIALE A MID-ENGINE POWERHOUSE

The new 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing an astonishing 868bhp ..

Ferrari has presented its latest special version model, the 296 Speciale, a mid-rear engined plug-in hybrid berlinetta. This car takes its rightful place in the exclusive lineage of special version Ferrari berlinettas and, just like its forebears – the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista – has been conceived to set the new benchmark in terms of driving thrills and engagement, not just for the marque’s production range, but for the segment as a whole.

The astonishing capabilities of the 296 Speciale in terms of agility, turn-in responsiveness and stability set it apart. This special version not only multiplies the already extraordinary performance of the 296 GTB but also introduces a sense of predictability and intuitiveness that makes this a car unlike any other. Conceived for the Ferrarista who demands an unrivalled driving experience, the 296 Speciale represents the new pinnacle for the Ferrari production range in terms of driving fun and is dedicated to owners in search of that special feeling of being at the wheel of a car with extraordinary performance.

The 296 Speciale takes the agility and responsiveness of the 296 GTB to extreme new heights by exploiting the full potential of its plug-in hybrid architecture, consisting of a rear-mid 120° V6 twin turbo engine and an electric motor, a short wheelbase and innovative dynamic control systems. The drivetrain delivers an astonishing combined power output of 880 hp, 50 more than the 296 GTB and a record for a rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari.

To make these results possible, Ferrari drew extensively from its experience in motor sports: the internal combustion engine borrows from the powerplant of the 296 Challenge in terms of engine management maps and boost strategy, and boasts titanium connecting rods, reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft. All these elements, together with a knock control system derived from Formula 1, have raised the power output of the V6 to 700 cv, 37 more than the model this special version is based on. The V6 engine of the 296 Speciale maintains its distinctive timbre, a sound consisting of the pure harmonics of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th combustion orders which, in this application, have gained in quality, intensity and volume.

The electric motor has also been uprated and is now capable of delivering 180 cv in the new extra boost mode. This increase in power has also made it possible to introduce a new strategy for the eight-speed DCT transmission, which makes use of additional torque during shifts to shorten shift times and increase both performance and driver engagement.

The 296 Speciale generates 435 kg of downforce at 250 km/h - 20% more than the 296 GTB - thanks to innovative solutions developed and tested on the 296 Challenge. These include the aero damper integrated into the front bonnet and the vertical fins on the rear bumper which incorporate new side wings that work in synergy with the active rear spoiler to generate additional downforce. The spoiler is now managed by a new actuator control strategy that not only shortens the transition time between Low Drag (LD) and High Downforce (HD) configurations by 50% but also introduces a new Medium Downforce (MD) configuration, which improves rear-end stability at high speeds.

A great deal of attention was dedicated to saving weight, which is crucial for increasing driving thrills. Overall weight has been reduced by 60 kg compared with the 296 GTB by using materials such as carbon fibre for some of the bodyshell parts and titanium for components in the engine. The resulting weight/power ratio is just 1.60 kg/cv, a record for a rear-wheel-drive Ferrari berlinetta.

To accentuate the dynamic capabilities of the 296 Speciale and ensure that the car behaves predictably when driven at the limit, Ferrari’s engineers also worked on fine-tuning the electronic control systems, suspension set-up and tyres. The 296 Speciale is equipped with the latest generation of the ABS Evo dynamic control system, which improves braking precision and repeatability in all surface and grip conditions. The spring and damper settings have been revised – the car now rides 5 mm lower than the 296 GTB – reducing maximum roll angle when cornering by 13% and improving the behaviour of the car at the limit.

The design language of the 296 Speciale has very clear connections with closed-wheel racing Ferraris. While the 296 GTB veils its extreme performance under an elegant skin, the 296 Speciale adopts a much more radical styling lexicon to express the innovations introduced by Ferrari’s engineers.

At first glance, the front of the car leaves no doubt as to the potent performance capabilities and expressiveness of the 296 Speciale, and its unmistakeable connection with the world of motor sports. The front bonnet appears more scalloped, a result of the contrasting positive and negative surface effect achieved by paring away volume.

The influence of the motor sports world, and of the 296 Challenge in particular, is also immediately recognisable at the rear. The most distinctive features here are two all-new protruding side wings which frame the tail and are fixed to the outermost edges. The tail of this special version is characterised by a much more compact area in bodywork colour than on the 296 GTB, creating an even more accentuated impression of visual lightness.

The new Verde Nürburgring exterior colour developed specifically for the 296 Speciale is a very vivid green which emphasises the sporting spirit of the car. The new livery, which is now also offered for the first time ever in a white variant, consists of one or two longitudinal stripes extending over the entire length of the car.

The interior design of the 296 Speciale follows the same philosophy applied in all latest generation Ferrari special versions. The changes with respect to the 296 GTB include solutions to simplify the interior, with fewer elements in total, and save weight, with an even more extensive use of carbon fibre and Alcantara©.