Ferrari 296 Speciale: Plug-In Hybrid Berlinetta Benchmark
Ferrari unveils the 296 Speciale, a mid-rear-engined plug-in hybrid berlinetta that joins the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista in the marque’s elite special-series family. Purpose-built to elevate driving excitement across the segment, this car combines blistering performance with intuitive handling, providing owners with an unrivalled connection to the road.
Engineers combine a 120° V6 twin-turbo with an uprated electric motor to deliver a class-leading 880 hp—50 hp more than the 296 GTB—and a record weight-to-power ratio of 1.60 kg/cv. Titanium connecting rods, reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft, plus Formula 1-derived knock control, lift the internal-combustion output to 700 cv. The electric motor now contributes 180 cv in extra-boost mode, while the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox fills torque gaps for lightning-fast shifts and an even richer exhaust note.
Aerodynamic know-how from the 296 Challenge yields 435 kg of downforce at 250 km/h—20 per cent more than the GTB. An aero damper in the bonnet, vertical rear fins with integrated side wings, and a re-mapped active spoiler cut switch-over times by half, introducing a medium-downforce setting for enhanced high-speed poise.
A 60 kg weight reduction is achieved through extensive carbon-fibre bodywork and titanium engine hardware. Multimatic shock absorbers, titanium springs and a 5 mm lower ride height sharpen responses, while ABS Evo and a 6D sensor refine braking precision in every grip condition. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres, developed specifically for the Speciale, boost lateral rigidity and grip across a wider operating window.
The hybrid architecture features a dual-rotor axial-flux MGU-K positioned between the engine and gearbox, supported by a 7.45 kWh under-floor battery and an inverter that manages four driver-selectable modes: eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify. In “Qualify” the extra-boost strategy unleashes 180 cv from 6,000 rpm, with a curved gauge beside the tachometer showing each available burst. Full-electric driving extends to 25 km at speeds of up to 135 km/h for urban discretion.
Cooling apertures have been enlarged by 12 per cent, while turbine-housing insulation from the 296 Challenge and optional titanium tailpipes help control temperatures despite higher outputs. Brake ducts integrated into the headlamps and undertray provide double cooling airflow, safeguarding fade-free stops even under track loads, compared to the GTB.
Designers at the Ferrari Styling Centre clad the Speciale in a radical, motorsport-inspired skin. A suspended carbon-fibre splitter, triple bonnet louvres, protruding rear side wings and a race-style diffuser broadcast performance intent. At the same time, a new five-spoke forged wheel echoes the F80’s carbon rim architecture. Inside, pared-back carbon-fibre door panels, Alcantara-trimmed surfaces and the iconic open-gate console create a focused, lightweight cockpit.
“Lateral”, “Longitudinal”, “Shifting”, “Braking” and “Sound” drive Ferrari’s measurable thrills. By slicing mass, amplifying power, enriching harmonics and perfecting chassis balance, the 296 Speciale hits each target with authority. Verde Nürburgring paint and optional dual stripes underscore its racing pedigree, and Ferrari backs ownership with a seven-year Genuine Maintenance programme that assures peak performance and peace of mind worldwide.
