'Aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and abundant powertrain.' Ferrari's new special series '296 Speciale' was born from the combination of these three elements. It is lightweight, well-proportioned, and drives excellently.
Of course, not everyone has the conditions to own or enjoy this car. The price starts from 630 million won. Depending on the options, prices vary greatly, with the lowest price being 630 million won.
Kim Kwang-cheol, the CEO of FMK, which imports and sells this car, said, 'This car should not be treated as a simple derivative model but as a completely new model. It is a model that allows drivers who understand Ferrari to feel true thrill.'
Ferrari's FMK unveiled the V6 PHEV special model, '296 Speciale,' on the 21st at the Banpo exhibition center in Seoul. While the name already states 'special model,' Kim Kwang-cheol argues that it deserves to be treated as a new model due to changes in design, materials, and powertrain.
In any case, the '296 Speciale' is a plug-in hybrid that houses a V6 engine.
While the driving range for owners of this car may not be significantly important, the maximum driving distance on a single charge is 25 km according to specifications. If one wants to drive without making an exhaust sound, this range is sufficient for quietly passing by.
Essentially, Ferrari's special model series is designed based on existing lineup's Berlinetta (coupe) or Spider (open-top) models, pushing performance, lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and design to the extremes to set new standards for performance and driving sensation.
Representative special models include Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, 488 Pista, and the '296 Speciale' is developed based on the 296 GTB.
The 296 Speciale was born focusing on 'the thrill of driving' while maintaining the elegance of the 296 GTB and maximizing aggressiveness. To achieve this, changes to the three elements mentioned earlier— aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and powertrain— were needed.
The 296 Speciale boasts an increase in output by 50 horsepower compared to the 296 GTB, generating a total of 880 horsepower, a result achieved by improving both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.
The dry weight is 1410 kg, which is a remarkable reduction of 60 kg compared to the 296 GTB. Carbon fiber is used in the body and titanium in the engine to achieve dramatic weight reduction. A reduction of 9 kg was achieved only in the engine. All these materials were adopted based on racing-validated technology. As a result, the weight-to-power ratio, which directly influences driving sensation, recorded an exceptional level of 1.60 among rear-wheel-drive models.
Aerodynamics have increased downforce. With innovative aerodynamic solutions, downforce is increased by 20% compared to the 296 GTB, reaching a figure of 435 kg at a speed of 250 km/h.
The engine of the 296 Speciale is designed based on inspirations from the 499P, which won the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race for three consecutive seasons from 2023 to 2025, and its achievements in Formula One.
The hybrid powertrain consists of a 700-horsepower V6 engine and an 180-horsepower electric motor, supporting high-voltage battery charging and pure electric driving (up to 25 km). Combustion chamber pressure increased by 7% compared to the 296 GTB, and reinforced pistons from F80 and titanium connecting rods were included to withstand the increased pressure. The new extra boost strategy is activated in the e-manettino's 'Qualify' mode, providing maximum torque of 315 Nm and peak power of 180 horsepower upon corner exit, reducing lap times on track. This represents an increase of 13 horsepower compared to the existing 296 GTB.
The new car development actively reflects the aerodynamic solutions of the 296 GT3 and 296 Challenge. The rear features side wings and a new active spoiler inspired by the FXX-K and 296 Challenge. This spoiler has been completely redesigned with a new operating logic to minimize transition time to high downforce mode, and a new medium downforce position is introduced to enhance rear stability during high-speed driving. The front end applies an aero damper system and a front louver derived from the 296 GT3 to reduce internal pressure in the wheelhouse and improve driving stability.
The engine sound of the 296 Speciale evolves the sound concept of the beloved 296 GTB, showcasing the refined characteristics of the 'Piccolo V12.' Based on state-of-the-art 3D sound simulation, a new sound duct structure is incorporated, with the number of ducts doubled compared to the existing model, and the positioning adjusted to finely tune the sound's directionality and spatiality. Additionally, the sound during shifting is perfectly tuned with the V6 engine sound, offering a thrilling driving sensation during both upshifts and downshifts.
The latest ABS Evo system operates under all conditions, optimizing braking force based on 6D sensor data. The suspension achieves agility and lightweight with multi-matic shock absorbers and titanium springs derived from the 296 GT3. The tires are the specialized Pilot Cup 2 jointly developed with Michelin, adopting a firmer sidewall and a new tread compound to enhance grip and responsiveness.
Lee Sang-wook, the Sales General Manager for Ferrari FME (Far and Middle East) in Korea, quantified the 'thrill of driving' of the 296 Speciale using five indicators. The five indicators were categorized into lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, shift feel, braking force, and sound.
General Manager Lee said, 'In terms of lateral acceleration, the car has been tuned to naturally follow even in limit situations through steering responsiveness, corner entry speed, and rear-end tracking characteristics. Meanwhile, the feature of longitudinal acceleration is the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal and a seamless acceleration feel during shifting. The tactile sensation felt at one's fingertips during gear shifts was finely tuned, improving pedal feel and responsiveness to ensure consistent braking performance. Lastly, the engine sound, which becomes richer with speed increase, was designed to allow speed perception through auditory senses.'
Kim Kwang-cheol, the CEO of FMK, Ferrari's official importer and distributor in Korea, remarked, 'It's very meaningful to present the special series model 296 Speciale after about six years since the domestic launch of the 488 Pista in 2019.' He continued, 'I expect that the launch of this model, which encapsulates the essence of racing and Ferrari engineering, will serve as an important opportunity to once again provide Korean customers with the unique driving experience that only Ferrari can offer.'
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