So now [Ferrari](https://parkplus.io/new-cars/ferrari-car/Ferrari unveils the track-focused 296 Speciale with 880 hp, 60kg weight reduction, and enhanced aerodynamics. The Coupe and Aperta versions launch globally in 2026.) presents the new Coupe and Aperta of the special 296, following the honorable lineage of special edition berlinettas-the Challenge Stradale, the 430 Scuderia, the 458 Speciale, and, of course, the 488 Pista. Like each of its predecessors, the 296 Speciale is the dimension of "special" at the amplified level, the standard 296 GTB platform.
The headline figures are immense: total power increases to 880 hp, the most powerful rear-wheel-drive Ferrari road car of any kind thus far. The way toward short weight was further marked by the 60-kg weight, a green area cuts into titanium engine parts, a carbon-fiber body, and less interior. Thus said, the actual weight of 1,410 kg (for the Coupe) makes an impressive power-to-weight ratio of just 1.6 kg per horsepower.
Aerodynamic performance has been improved; downforce is increased by 20 percent beyond that of the original GTB-435 kg at 250 kph. As Ferrari itself puts it, "Fun to drive" is best achieved in five optimized ways: lateral grip, acceleration, gearshifts, braking, and sound, according to the 296 Speciale.
The hybrid powertrain pairs a more powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (now producing 700 hp) with an upgraded electric motor capable of delivering up to 180 hp in "Qualify" mode. Race-bred upgrades include titanium connecting rods, a lighter crankshaft, and stronger pistons, while a Formula 1-derived knock-control system allows the engine to operate closer to its limits.
Performance figures are equally impressive: 0-100kph in just 2.8 seconds and 0-200kph in an astonishing 7 seconds. The 7.45 kWh battery provides up to 25km of electric-only range, with four selectable drive modes: eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify.
The 296 Speciale's aerodynamics have been completely reworked, with new vertical fins, an upward-curving rear profile, and an active spoiler with a faster actuator. At the front, a new bonnet duct channels air more efficiently, complemented by additional louvres and a more prominent splitter. Cooling has been improved by enlarging the front bumper air intakes by 12 percent and repositioning various ducts.
The chassis employs shock absorbers derived from the 296 GT3 race car, paired with titanium springs. The suspension has been revised to position the car 5mm lower than the standard GTB, reducing body roll by 13 percent and improving handling at the limit.
Visually, the 296 Speciale has a more aggressive aerodynamic profile and features carbon-fiber components with louvres on the sides of the bonnet and a black carbon-fiber strip incorporating the tail-lights.
Inside, the cabin is extensively trimmed in carbon-fiber and Alcantara, with racing bucket seats and a four-point harness for the Coupe (three-point for the Aperta).
Ferrari will offer it on the international market starting in the first quarter of 2025 with the launch of the 296 Speciale Coupe, while approximately three months later, the Aperta will follow. Though production numbers will not be specified, these special editions will only be produced for a limited time, thus ensuring exclusivity.
While Ferrari's regular road cars are becoming ever more powerful and engineered, these hardcore specials represent the purest expression of the brand's engineering philosophy: the pursuit of creating the most thrilling and involving driving experience.
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