Ferrari is back in the spotlight with something properly ferocious: the 296 Speciale. Think of it as the 296 GTB’s track-honed alter ego — lighter, sharper, and meaner in every way. Arriving in early 2026 with a starting price around €400,000, it’s Ferrari’s new rear-wheel-drive flagship, and it doesn’t pull any punches.
Available as both a coupe and a convertible (the latter dubbed “Speciale A”), the car sheds up to 60 kg compared to the standard 296. Even the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 went on a diet, dropping 9 kg thanks to titanium rods, a lighter crank, and faster-spooling turbos—tech inspired by the F90 hypercar.
Power? A staggering 868 hp. That’s 690 hp from the V6 alone, plus an extra 178 hp from the upgraded electric motor. It rockets from 0–100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds, topping out at 335 km/h. And while it’s quick in a straight line, Ferrari’s real flex is in downforce: 435 kg at 250 km/h, without relying on a monstrous rear wing.
The aero is subtle but brilliant—S-ducts up front, a new diffuser out back, and two floating aero elements elegantly integrated into the tail lights. Underneath, the chassis is stiffened with titanium springs and Multimatic dampers, with the ride height dropped by 5 mm for a more planted feel.
Weight stays impressively low: 1,410 kg dry for the coupe, 1,490 kg for the convertible. That’s thanks to carbon-fibre seats, wheels, bumpers—and not much in the way of interior fluff. There’s no carpet, no extra soundproofing, just essential tech and a focused, digital cockpit centered around Ferrari’s Manettino dial.
Still, this isn’t just a car for seasoned pros. Ferrari’s latest Side Slip Control system (v9.0) lets drivers tailor electronic assists to their confidence level—making this beast surprisingly approachable, even for the brave beginner.
There’s no production cap, but getting one won’t be easy. Only customers who’ve bought a new or approved used Ferrari in the past five years will get the chance to order one.
Fast, focused, and fantastically engineered, the 296 Speciale isn’t just another limited-edition toy. It’s a love letter to driving, written in carbon and fire.
