Ferrari’s 296 Gets Speciale Treatement and Is Faster Than the LaFerrari Around Fiorano

Ferrari’s V6-powered coupe has followed the footsteps of models like the 458 with the arrival of the all-new 296 Speciale which gets some racey bits of aero and a jaw-dropping power output of 648 kW!

Image: Ferrari

Looking for a new or used set of wheels? Find it here with CARmag!

Ferrari has taken the wraps off the most hardcore iteration of its hybrid V6 supercar yet, revealing the 296 Speciale and its open-top sibling, the 296 Speciale Aperta. Both models serve as spiritual successors to icons like the 458 Speciale and 488 Pista, delivering heightened performance and sharper driver engagement while tipping the scales significantly less than the standard models.

Image: Ferrari

At the heart of both lies the now-familiar 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine arranged in a 120° configuration with a dry sump, producing a hefty 515 kW at a sonorous 8 000 r/min. Peak torque of 755 N.m comes in slightly lower at 6 000 r/min, but the turbo setup surprises with a redline at 8 500 r/min. This combustion heart is paired with Ferrari’s MGU-K-derived hybrid system, which boosts total output to a staggering 648 kW. The car can also run in full-electric mode, delivering 113 kW from its 7.45 kWh battery over a claimed range of 25 km. Handling shifting duties is an 8-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels.

Related: Road Test Figures: BMW M3 Touring

As expected of a car bearing the Speciale badge, weight-saving measures have been a major focus. The coupe tips the scales at a featherweight 1 410 kg dry, translating to 1.60 kg per horsepower power-to-weight ratio. Ferrari’s trademark 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution continues and performance figures are as blistering as the specs suggest: 0–100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0–200 km/h in just 7 seconds, and a top speed north of 330 km/h. Braking from 200 km/h to a standstill takes only 106 metres. Around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, the 296 Speciale clocks a lap time of 1 minute 19 seconds. This is then officially faster than the LaFerrari, which lapped it seven tenths slower.

Related: LONG-TERM WRAP-UP: Ford Territory 1.8T Trend AT

The 296 Speciale’s dimensions haven’t changed too significantly from its standard counterpart. Its length measures a fairly compact 4 625 mm, a width of 1 968 mm, and a height of just 1 181 mm. A 2 600 mm wheelbase sits between widened tracks front (1 665 mm) and rear (1 632 mm) to enhance agility and stability. Aerodynamic changes abound, from a reprofiled front with an S-duct-style intake and larger cooling apertures to a reworked rear diffuser and active aero elements. Downforce is up by 20% compared to the standard 296 GTB, generating 435 kg at 250 km/h.

296

Image: Ferrari

The open-top Aperta shares the same mechanicals and performance but brings additional emotional appeal for those wanting the full soundscape of the V6 hybrid powertrain. Both models are due for global rollout from early 2026. While Ferrari hasn’t pegged the Speciale and Speciale Aperta as limited editions, production will be shorter than usual to ensure exclusivity. Italian pricing starts at €407 000 (R8.6 million) for the coupe and €462 000 (R9.9 million) for the Aperta. These two cars mark the crescendo of Ferrari’s V6 hybrid era, arriving just ahead of the company’s first all-electric model, which is slated to be revealed on October 9, 2025.

Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag!

The post Ferrari’s 296 Gets Speciale Treatement and Is Faster Than the LaFerrari Around Fiorano appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem...
Read more

Porsche’s Panamera Goes Bulletproof in SA

Image
A first for the South African market, Armoured Mobility has handed the Porsche Panamera a bulletproof package. Here’s what you can expect…  Image: Armoured Mobility Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! Equipped with a B6 armouring package, Armoured Mobility has launched South Africa’s first-ever bulletproof Porsche Panamera. The Panamera model in question comes in the shape of the Turbo, which, seen here, has been “expertly” modified to withstand an array of ballistic threats. The Armoured Mobility-converted Panamera is bulletproof to rounds of rifles such as AK47s, and R1 and R5 rifles. According to the firm, the armouring kit it has handed to the German marque’s saloon sets a new standard for armoured vehicles on local shores, combining the safety provided by this package with luxury and without compromising the donor car’s style and performance. In fact, the company says the B6 protection-equipped Panamera represents the epitome of automoti...
Read more

BMW’s Plant Rosslyn Firing on All Cylinders to Keep Up With X3 Demand

Image
Despite being on offer for several weeks now, the all-new G45 X3 has officially been launched in South Africa and BMW has provided an exclusive tour of its retooled Plant Rosslyn facility that produces and exports this popular SUV.  Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! When BMW says this is a popular model it continues to demonstrate the shift in consumer preference for high-riding SUVs. Depending on the market, the X3 has become BMW’s most commonly sold staple and since production commenced in October 2024, the new BMW X3 has been met with overwhelming demand from South African customers, with all available stock either sold or on order. Of this undisclosed figure, around 10% of sales comprise the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) BMW X3 30e xDrive, underscoring a growing interest in electrified vehicles and BMW’s leadership in the ‘New Energy Vehicles’ segment. The popularity of the X3 30e xDrive has driven a 45% surge in monthly retail r...
Read more