Ferrari unveils 868 BHP 296 Speciale & Speciale A

The 296 Speciale has a retractable spoiler at the rear. The wing can be set into several different wing positions

Ferrari has unveiled the 296 Speciale and 296 Speciale A (Aperta), the latest to join the special edition lineup of Prancing Horses like the 360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, 458 Special & the 488 Pista.

The 296 Speciale uses the same 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 that is seen in the 296 GTB but puts out more power at 868 BHP, that is 50 horses more than the standard car. It has 20 percent more downforce as well; 435 kg at 250 km/h. The electric motor itself is capable of putting out 177 BHP with the new extra boost mode. The hybrid powertrain is mated to an eight-speed DCT gearbox that drives the rear wheels.

Ferrari says the 296 Speciale can go from 0 to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of more than 330 kph.

Thermal management in the engine bay has been optimised in particular by employing the turbine housing insulation solution first introduced on the 296 Challenge and subsequently adopted on the F80.

The 296 Special features carbon fibre bodywork and titanium for engine components. Overall weight has been reduced by 50 kg compared to the GTB. It tips the scales at just 1,410 kg (coupe), giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 1.6 kg per BHP.

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.

On the exterior, the 296 Speciale gets a scalloped bonnet. The lower front end features a suspended splitter, a wing-shaped element in the same colour as the bodywork which visually widens the car’s stance at the front, making it look more firmly planted as well as providing room for bigger air intakes. The bonnet also has three pairs of louvres that are now a trademark design element on special edition Ferraris. The rear gets two all-new protruding side wings fixed to the outermost edges. There is a prominent black strip that houses the slim tail lamps. The tailpipe is located above the diffuser and is inspired from the F80. It gets a dark cover concealed by a metal mesh.

The 296 Speciale gets specific new five-spoke forged wheels designed only for the Speciale with architecture derived from the carbon-fibre wheel equipping the F80. The car comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres developed specially for the 296 Speciale.

The 296 Speciale has a retractable spoiler at the rear. The wing can be set into several different wing positions: Low Drag (LD), with the wing fully retracted; an intermediate position, which partially deploys the wing so that it is ready to transition into the High Downforce (HD) configuration more rapidly while remaining flush to the profile of the bumper; the Medium Downforce (MD) position, which is used solely at high speed to increase the stability of the rear end without penalising top speed, and the High Downforce (HD) position, which is employed in the case of high lateral acceleration or under hard braking to maximise rear downforce and further increase the stability of the car.

Ferrari has also worked on the sound of the 296 Speciale. While maintaining the same 120° V architecture, equal-length exhaust headers, and single tailpipe configuration like the regular 296, the Speciale takes things to the next level, with accentuated volume. New acoustic ducts were designed with sophisticated 3D acoustic simulation systems. The 296 Speciale features twice as many of these ducts as the 296 GTB. A patented system of tubes carries sound directly from the V6 into the cabin. Each one of these tubes is tuned individually for a mid-high frequency band, to give the maximum engine symphonies to your ears.

Inside the cabin, the 296 Speciale features seats that are 5 kg lighter than those of the GTB. There is lots of carbon fibre along with single-piece door pads created out of a single block of carbon fibre. The steering wheel is also new and features traditional buttons against the touch control pads seen in the regular car.

The new Verde Nürburgring exterior colour is exclusive to the 296 Speciale. White livery in the form of one or two longitudinal stripes extending over the entire length of the car is being offered for the first time. Additionally, buyers can also add a number of their choice from 00 to 99 to the livery.