Ferrari 296 Speciale Review: Sharper, Louder, More Focused

Ferrari’s tradition of turning great road cars into purer, track sharpened specials continues with the 296 Speciale. Following icons like the 360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista, this is the wilder evolution of the 296 GTB. The brief is simple on paper and complex in execution. Add control, feel, and speed without diluting beauty or usability. The result is a car that earns the name Speciale by being exactly that.

Short Summary

Exterior Design and Aerodynamics

Every exterior surface has been reconsidered to create real aerodynamic gains without losing the compact proportions that make the 296 so striking.

• Aero damper and bonnet scoop
  A large bonnet channel evacuates air from beneath the car and guides it cleanly over the roof, reducing turbulence and lift at speed.
• Wheel arch louvres and brake cooling
  Triple louvres beside the scoop relieve pressure inside the wheel wells while ducts near the headlamps route air directly to the front brakes.
• Reprofiled front bumper and floating lip
  The bumper is wider and lower with larger intakes. The tea tray element from the GTB makes way for a LaFerrari style floating lip. Venting and winglets at the bumper corners guide air around the front wheels to cut drag and boost front grip.
• Side and rear treatment
  Ride height sits lower, optional carbon 20 inch wheels reduce unsprung mass, and the side intakes tidy flow toward the rear. At the back, compact Gamma wings at each corner add localized downforce. They work with a faster acting active spoiler that now has an intermediate position for a better drag to downforce balance. It stays hidden on straights and deploys firmly under braking for stability.
• Underfloor optimization and paint
  The unseen floor is carefully vented from nose to diffuser for smoother flow. Verde Nurburgring, a deep metallic green, is the poster hue, though Ferrari’s personalization program opens an extensive palette and stripe options.

The aero changes do more than decorate. They meaningfully increase front end bite, reduce high speed lift, and make the car calmer under heavy braking.

Interior Space and Comfort

Track focus does not mean spartan. The cabin trims weight while retaining essential comfort and tech.

• Weight saving materials
  Carpets are deleted. Leather gives way to Alcantara and carbon fiber across doors, dash, and sills. Door panels are single piece carbon that flow into the dashboard for a cohesive, purposeful look.
• Seats and belts
  The cushy GT chairs are replaced by sculpted carbon buckets with four point harnesses for the circuit. A conventional three point belt remains more practical for daily use. Recline and reach adjustments help dial in an ideal seating position.
• Everyday usability
  Automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay, a passenger display, and driver assistance features remain. Storage solutions include a net behind the seats for small items and a 169 liter front trunk that will swallow soft weekend bags with ease.

Features and Controls

Ferrari brings back tactile interaction where it matters while keeping the interface clean.

• Steering wheel and switchgear
  Physical buttons return to the wheel in place of the GTB’s touch sensitive pads. Optional shift lights and long metal paddles encourage manual control.
• Drive mode logic
  The Manettino oversees chassis and traction settings, with optional MagnaRide dampers available. The e Manettino groups powertrain commands into eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualifying. Most functions live in the instrument cluster so the driver can keep eyes forward.

Powertrain, Sound, and Performance

The hybrid system is tuned for immediacy, not isolation.

• V6 plus e motor integration
  The 3.0 liter twin turbo V6 produces 700 hp and 755 Nm on its own. The e motor contributes an additional 180 hp and is fed by a 7.45 kWh battery. Ferrari uses battery assistance to smooth gearshifts through the 8 speed F1 DCT so acceleration feels uninterrupted.
• Sound and weight trimming
  A titanium rear section sheds roughly 2 kg and deepens the timbre. Redesigned acoustic ducts pipe authentic intake and combustion notes into the cabin without digital augmentation.
• On track
  In Qualifying mode the system releases full combined shove and unlocks an Extra Boost feature above 6,000 rpm for explosive exits. Claimed figures are 0 to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds and 0 to 200 kph in 7.0 seconds. The Fiorano lap matches the all wheel drive SF90 Stradale at 1 minute 19 seconds, which underlines how much grip and traction the aero and chassis deliver.
• On road
  Performance mode keeps the car alert yet civil for fast road driving. Hybrid mode manages charge with strong regen, and eDrive lets the Speciale run silently for short hops.

Efficiency and Range

For a mid engine supercar with outrageous pace, the Speciale has practical efficiency tools. The claimed electric only range is 25 km which proved realistic in mixed driving. Rely on engine power alone and you can expect 4 to 5 kpl depending on traffic and throttle discipline. Owners can use eDrive to leave early without waking the neighborhood or to short shift through city congestion without wasting premium fuel.

Ride and Handling

Two personalities, both rewarding.

• Passive dampers on circuit
  The fixed rate setup is firm and focused, perfect for track aggression. Titanium springs cut weight and the car stays flat through direction changes. Front end bite benefits from the aero work, and the steering communicates with clarity and precision.
• MagnaRide on road
  With adaptive damping the ride never floats, but impacts are rounded off and long distances become reasonable. A Bumpy Road shortcut on the wheel softens things for broken tarmac. A nose lift adds 15 mm of clearance which is invaluable for speed humps and ramps.

Price, Exclusivity, and India Launch

Ferrari has not placed a hard production cap, yet the Speciale will be naturally rare due to demand and build allocation. The coupe is expected to arrive in India in late 2026 with the open top Aperta roughly six months later. An indicative starting price of about Rs 6.5 crore ex showroom is likely to climb with paint, carbon wheels, and tailored interior specifications.

Verdict

The 296 GTB set a towering standard for mid engine balance and hybrid integration. The 296 Speciale layers on smarter aerodynamics, stronger character, and even sharper control. It is absurdly fast when you want it to be, yet still coherent and friendly on a good road. Louder, lighter, and livelier, it earns its badge by turning a brilliant supercar into a deeply involving driver’s tool.

Official Site

For model updates, technical notes, and configurator options visit
https://www.ferrari.com

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are the headline performance numbers

0 to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds and 0 to 200 kph in 7.0 seconds. The car laps Fiorano in 1 minute 19 seconds.

2) How is the Speciale different from the 296 GTB

Reworked aero with an aero damper and Gamma wings, lighter components including optional carbon wheels and titanium springs, a louder titanium exhaust section, and revised chassis calibration for track focus.

3) Can the 296 Speciale drive on electric power alone

Yes. Claimed eDrive range is about 25 km which is useful for short city runs and quiet departures.

4) Is MagnaRide standard

Passive dampers are track perfect, while optional MagnaRide adds day to day compliance. Many buyers will choose MagnaRide for mixed use.

5) When will it launch in India and what will it cost

The coupe is expected in late 2026 with the Aperta to follow. Expect a starting price near Rs 6.5 crore ex showroom before personalization.

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