Fixed-roof 296 Speciale and retractable hardtop sister gain 20 percent more downforce than the GTB and GTS, along with an extra 49 horsepower
April 29, 2025 at 09:57
- Ferrari has revealed a hardcore version of its 296 GTB.
- The 296 Speciale resurrects a name last used on the 458.
- Power climbs 49 hp to 868 hp, weight drops by up to 132 lbs.
Ferrari has just dropped details of its hot 296 and it must be very confident about its abilities because it’s named it after one of the most coveted Ferrari sports cars of the last 50 years.
The 296 Speciale and its open-top sister follow a typical path: more power, more aero, less weight. And the result is the kind of machine that will make mincemeat out of the late, great, naturally-aspirated 458 Speciale on a racetrack, or a road, if you’re unhinged enough to unleash all of the performance.
New aluminium pistons and titanium conrods from the F80 hypercar help boost the turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 from 654 hp to 690 hp, matching the muscle of the track-only 296 Challenge racer. But even the hybrid system has been to the gym and develops more power thanks to improved cooling.
The Speciale’s total system output stands at 868 hp (880PS), up from the regular 296’s 819 hp (830 PS), and it’s all channeled to the rear wheels though an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with optimised shift points.
Greater use of carbon, including on the stripped-down interior, plus lighter engine components cuts weight by up to 132 lbs (60 kg), and downforce is improved by 20 percent through new bumpers, a huge diffuser and a new retractable spoiler.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
