Ferrari has peeled the covers off the 296 Speciale Coupe and Aperta — the newest entrants to a storied bloodline that includes names like Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale. This one, though, comes with a twist. It's still fast, still loud and still red (probably), but now it's also part-electric.
What is it?
In short, this is Ferrari's latest track-honed, distilled from the 296 GTB but sharpened for those who find regular Ferraris a bit too civilised. It's the first V6 plug-in hybrid in Ferrari's special series and the most powerful rear-wheel-drive road car the brand has ever made.
The Numbers
Here's where it gets serious. Combined output stands at 868 bhp, thanks to a reworked 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and a juiced-up electric motor. The torque from the motor alone is 315 Nm, while the petrol engine has been upgraded with titanium internals and motorsport-grade breathing components.
The Speciale Coupe weighs 1,410 kg, a full 60 kg lighter than the standard 296 GTB. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.6 kg per horsepower. From 0 to 100 km/h takes 2.8 seconds, and from 0 to 200 km/h is done in a staggering 7 seconds. Top speed hasn't been quoted yet, but frankly, it doesn't matter.
The Engine
The petrol bit is familiar but better. The 3.0-litre V6 now makes 690 bhp on its own, up from 663 bhp in the standard car. It retains its 120-degree bank angle and hot-vee turbo layout, but gets help from lighter pistons, con rods from the LaFerrari, and a crankshaft that has undergone a strict diet. There's even Formula 1-style knock control to allow it to run closer to its limits.
The electric motor, mounted between the engine and 8-speed DCT, adds up to 177 bhp in full attack mode, dubbed 'Qualify', and can propel the car for up to 25 km without waking the V6. There's also an "Extra Boost" function, which is as exciting as it sounds, filling in torque between upshifts.
Aerodynamics and Cooling
Aerodynamics have been taken straight from Ferrari's racing playbook. There's more downforce — 435 kg at 250 kmph to be precise — thanks to things like vertical fins, underbody tunnels, an active rear spoiler with a quicker actuator and a new medium-downforce setting. It's also peppered with ducts, louvres and splitters, most of which are derived from either the FXX K or 296 Challenge race cars.
Cooling has been upgraded, too. The front air intakes are 12 per cent larger, the central undertray has been simplified, and even the headlamp ducts have been rerouted to keep brake temperatures in check.
Suspension and Braking
Suspension is firmer and 5 mm lower than the regular 296 GTB. Titanium springs and new shocks, inspired by the 296 GT3, help reduce roll by 13 per cent. There's also an optional lifsystem. If you don't live somewhere that considers potholes a natural part of the landscape.
Brakes use what Ferrari calls 'ABS Evo', a clever bit of kit that determines how much grip each tyre has and then asks it politely to behave. This should help with stability when braking late into corners, which is really what this car was made for.
Interior and Weight-Saving
The cabin is business-first. There's carbon fibre just about everywhere, including the door cards and centre console. The seats are racing buckets with four-point harnesses in the Coupe (three in the Aperta), and there's even a carbon 'shift gate' detail for the DCT toggle.
Ferrari's also trimmed 9 kg from the powertrain using lighter components and beefed-up cooling systems. Even the exhaust has been tuned with acoustic ducts to sound fruitier at higher revs. It's all very clever, light, and loud.
Custom Bits
There's a new paint shade too — Verde Nürburgring — which can be paired with racing stripes and your choice of number from 00 to 99. You can even spec the bumpers, engine bay and wheels in carbon fibre. The wheels themselves are new five-spoke alloys in a dual-tone finish.
Launch and Availability
Ferrari says the 296 Speciale Coupe will begin global deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. The Aperta version follows shortly after. Indian launch timelines haven't been confirmed, but don't be surprised if it lands by the end of 2026, with a price tag deep into the ₹ six crore bracket, before you tick any carbon options.
Final Thoughts
The 296 Speciale may be the most focused V6 Ferrari yet, and it does it all while sipping battery juice and chasing decibels. It may be a hybrid, but it's not the quiet, sensible kind. It's the other one, the sort that shouts at clouds and makes corners feel like a personal challenge.
Ferrari calls it the best expression of driving fun they've ever built. We suspect they might be right.
