FERRARI 296 SPECIALE

Ferrari has presented its latest special version model, the 296 Speciale, a mid-rear engined plug-in hybrid berlinetta. This car takes its rightful place in the exclusive lineage of special version Ferrari berlinettas and, just like its forebears – the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista – has been conceived to set the new benchmark in terms of driving thrills and engagement, not just for the marque’s production range, but for the segment as a whole.

The 296 Speciale takes the agility and responsiveness of the 296 GTB to extreme new heights by exploiting the full potential of its plug-in hybrid architecture, consisting of a rear-mid 120° V6 twin turbo engine and an electric motor, a short wheelbase and innovative dynamic control systems. The drivetrain delivers an astonishing combined power output of 880 hp, 50 more than the 296 GTB and a record for a rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari.

The heart of the powertrain of the 296 Speciale is an evolution of the Ferrari V6 unit equipping the 296 GTB and 296 GTS. The V6 works in conjunction with the electric motor of the plug-in hybrid system, which is installed between the internal combustion engine itself and the 8-speed DCT gearbox. An additional clutch decouples the engine and electric motor to enable full-electric driving mode. Completing the system are the high voltage battery and the inverter. As a result of the new extra boost strategy introduced for the electric motor, the combined power of the system is now an astonishing 880 hp, a remarkable 50 cv more than the output of the 296 GTB.

The symphony of the 296 Speciale inherits and evolves the already highly acclaimed sound of the 296 GTB, retaining the distinctive timbre and the same firing order as the car it is based on.

While maintaining the same 120° V architecture, equal length exhaust headers and single tailpipe configuration as the model it is based on, the 296 Speciale takes the engine sound to a whole new level, with accentuated volume and an even richer harmony evident in the higher frequencies. The less acoustically restrictive layout lets the driver enjoy the engine sound to the full in all conditions, while the driving experience is underscored by an exhilarating new sound during each shift.

The design language of the 296 Speciale has very clear connections with closed-wheel racing Ferraris. While the 296 GTB veils its extreme performance under an elegant skin, the 296 Speciale adopts a much more radical styling lexicon to express the innovations introduced by Ferrari’s engineers. To achieve this result, the Ferrari Styling Centre headed by Flavio Manzoni worked in synergy with all the other departments involved to maximise the focus on the relationship between form and function in order to integrate the technical solutions required into this car.

Source: FERRARI