Ferrari, the builder of Italian supercars, have introduced a new variant of it’s popular 296 model sports car. It is so special that they have even named it ‘Speciale’, making the point straightforwardly, and it certainly looks the part as can be seen in our pictures. The 296 Speciale is available as a coupé or as a fresh air convertible.
This prestige sports car takes its rightful place in the exclusive lineage of special version Ferrari ‘berlinettas’ and has been conceived to set a new benchmark in terms of driving thrills and engagement, not just for the marque’s production range, but for this premium segment as a whole.
The 296 Speciale takes the agility and responsiveness of its sibling, 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 880BHP (892PS), a record for a production model from the Maranello stable. The extent to which refinements have been added to the suspension, dynamics and aerodynamics would take up every page in a whole automotive magazine, such is the dedication of the engineers who conceived this new variant.
The Race Centre
The interior design of the Ferrari 296 Speciale follows the same philosophy applied in all latest generation Ferrari special versions. The changes with respect to the existing 296 GTB include refinements to simplify the interior, with fewer elements in total, thus saving weight, with an even more extensive use of carbon fibre and the man-made leather substitute ‘Alcantara’. In addition to the widespread use of carbon fibre and aluminium, the more pared-down design language also contributes to the overall effect of a much more race-focused cabin; just as a Ferrari should be.
A specific door panel was created for the 296 Speciale consisting of a single block of carbon fibre with a minimalist design. The grab handle consists of a raised section of a functional zone which terminates in a distinctive, clean-cut surface. Creating a sense of continuity with the material of the rest of the panel, the speakers of the Hi-Fi system are incorporated into this zone, with sound from the woofers passing through holes cut directly into the carbon fibre.
The bare fasteners are perfectly in tune with the racing atmosphere pervading the cockpit.
The centre tunnel consists of a structure entirely in carbon fibre, into which the console is set. The console itself is a raised surface carrying the controls, chief among which the iconic ‘shift gate’ element that has taken pride of place in the interiors of all recent Ferrari models. This element draws inspiration from the gear shift gate in Ferraris of the past, where it stood proud from the central tunnel as a distinct, separate block. This theme has been reinterpreted for the 296 Speciale to give shape to a contemporary and sporty feature. The design of the tunnel and the masterfully aligned weave patterns of the carbon fibre of its individual elements draw attention to the ‘gate’ feature, making it the undisputed centre of attention of the interior as a whole.
The Style
A keen eye will notice the design language of the premium 296 Speciale which has 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 to express the innovations introduced by Ferrari’s engineers. To achieve this result, the Ferrari design team worked 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.
At first glance, the front of the car leaves no doubt as to the potent performance capabilities of the 296 Speciale, and its unmistakeable connection with the world of motor sports. The front bonnet (hood) appears more scalloped, a result of the contrasting positive and negative surface effect achieved by paring away volume. The character of the lower zone is defined by a suspended splitter, a wing-shaped element in the same colour as the bodywork which visually widens the car’s stance at the front, making it look more firmly planted as well as providing room for bigger air intakes accentuating the dynamism and lightness of the car. Also contributing to the bold expressiveness of the front are three pairs of louvres arranged symmetrically on the bonnet – a signature feature of Ferrari special versions. The air intakes for the brakes appear to cut even more deeply into the bodywork.
The hints of racing pedigree are also immediately recognisable at the rear. The most distinctive features here are two all-new protruding side wings which frame the tail and are fixed to the outermost edges. The tail of this special version is characterised by a much more compact area in bodywork colour than on the 296 GTB, creating an even more accentuated impression of visual lightness.
A broader black strip incorporates the tail lights in a completely different approach from the solution used on the 296 GTB. The 296 Speciale evolves the black screen concept used on the 296 GTB further, with a broader black strip incorporating the tail lights and contributing to a greater sense of visual lightness at the rear while also lending it an even more aggressive look. As on a race car, the diffuser extends further out to the sides, with a horizontal geometry. The central part projects outwards from the rest, creating an effective visual dialogue with the exhaust pipe surround.
From the side view it can be seen how certain aspects of the 296 GTB variant have been taken to the extreme to give the Speciale an even more audacious, aerodynamic poise. The flying bridge theme already featuring on the other 296 models is further accentuated on the 296 Speciale by the dark colour finish of the roof. This choice also gives the cabin a much more aggressive look, and the cockpit now appears as a bubble embedded in the bodywork of the car. The overall effect is both sportier and more vibrant.
On the Ferrari 296 Speciale, the visual centre of gravity of the front of the car is lower, while the protruding winglets at the rear, which extend from the silhouette, lend an impression of great power and clear directionality to the whole. The front radiator air vents, situated in the lower portion of the front bumper, create a distinctive technical style in which sculpture and functional elements are combined in perfect harmony.
At each corner a specific new five-spoke forged wheel was designed for this car with contemporary, stylised forms and with an architecture derived from the carbon-fibre wheel equipping the F80. The sculpted forms behind the main spokes are lightened by apertures to create a distinctive design trait, while the diamond-cut finish extends into the barrel to augment the impression of three-dimensionality and depth of the rim. The diamond-cut treatment of the inner barrel, combined with the darker finish of the spokes, accentuates the design of the wheel as a whole.
The Drive
It is probably enough to say that this is a Ferrari and leave it at that, but by way of description of how this car drives, consider this: For Ferrari, the concept of driving thrills, which is key, can be described with five simple parameters, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, shifting, braking and sound.
‘Lateral’ refers to the car’s characteristics in terms response to steering input coupled with how easy it is to drive at the limit. ‘Longitudinal’ indicates the car’s response to throttle input and a sense of longitudinal acceleration which keeps building as engine speed increases. ‘Shifting’ is a measure of the sensations perceived by the driver during each gear shift; rapid shift times and the impression of perfectly spaced gear ratios for acceleration. ‘Braking’ defines how the brake pedal feels in terms of travel and response, which are decisive factors in braking efficiency and precision. Finally, ‘Sound’ is a combination of the quality of the engine sound and how it builds progressively in volume in the cockpit with rising engine speed. Like we said, It’s a Ferrari; expect nothing less.
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