Ferrari 296 GTB gets the “Speciale” treatment and is now even more fun to drive. The recipe that the Prancing Horse followed to make its sports car even more exciting includes a more powerful engine, a reduction in weight and improved aerodynamics. The end result is the Ferrari 296 Speciale which, in addition to the coupé version, is also available in the Spider version (derived from the 296 GTS)The newcomer picks up where the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista left off. Let’s dive into the details.
FERRARI 296 SPECIALE: MOTORE
Let’s start with the beating heart of the new Maranello sports car, a V6 twin-turbo Plug-in Hybrid that, thanks to a series of refinements, reaches a system power of 880 HP against the 830 HP of the GTB. With a power increase of 37 HP, the 3-liter V6 engine alone reaches 700 HP and 795 Nm. The engine management strategy is inherited from the 296 Challenge, while the F80 supercar derives a crankshaft that is about 2.2 kg lighter and titanium connecting rods, which reduce the mass by 35% compared to the steel ones commonly used. Overall, the work on the engine has allowed a saving of 9 kg of weight. This greater lightness, Ferrari explains, is partly also due to fixed elements such as titanium bolts and housings machined from solid, but the lighter reciprocating components, including connecting rods and crankshaft, allow the engine to respond even more promptly.
The innovations have not only focused on the V6 engine. In fact, Ferrari has also improved the axial flow electric unit positioned between the engine and the gearbox. The result is an increase of 13 HP that has allowed it to reach 180 HP. The extra performance is available when the combustion engine speed is between 6,000 and 8,500 rpm with the eManettino set to “Qualify”.
The intervention on the mechanics did not only concern the powertrain. As Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Chief Product Development Officer, explains well, the technicians also worked on the gearbox and the sound of the engine. The gear changes (8-speed dual clutch), for example, in addition to being faster than those of the 296 GTB, are characterized by a brief interruption of torque immediately following the gear change phase, for a more direct sensation of the engagement. A new single-end exhaust completes a series of modifications whose aim is to make the characteristic sound of the V6 even more engaging.
Speaking of pure performance, the new Ferrari 296 Speciale accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, while it takes just 7 seconds to reach 200 km/h (7.3 seconds for the Spider called Speciale A). The maximum speed reaches 330 km/h. In electric only mode, it can travel 25 km and reach a top speed of 135 km/h.
SETUP AND AERODYNAMICS
The development work on the new Ferrari 296 Speciale also focused on the set-up. For example, the chassis has been lowered by 5 mm and features titanium springs derived from the 296 GT3 and individually calibrated Multimatic shock absorbers, which contribute to a 13% reduction in maximum roll angle. The new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and the latest ABS Evo braking grip management software further enhance performance in all driving conditions.
Ferrari has refined the aerodynamics to improve downforce. For example, a new aero damper channels air through the front bumper and out through a recess sculpted into the bonnet, helping to stabilise pitch during hard acceleration and braking. At the rear, side wings interact with an active spoiler featuring Low Drag (LD), Medium Downforce (MD) and High Downforce (HD) settings. Overall, the sports car’s downforce has increased by 20% to 435 kg.
WEIGHT REDUCTION
As mentioned at the beginning, a lot of attention has also been paid to weight reduction. Overall, 60 kg have been saved thanks to the lighter engine and the extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork, including the bonnet. Inside, the carbon fibre sports seats with adjustable backrests contribute to a further weight reduction of 5 kg each, flanked by one-piece door panels, also in carbon fibre, inspired by the world of racing. Dry weight 1,410 kg for the Speciale and 1,490 kg for the “Speciale A” spider. Thanks to all these improvements, the 296 Speciale needs just 1 minute and 19 seconds to complete a lap on the Fiorano test circuit, a time around 2.5 seconds faster than that recorded by the 488 Pista.
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