When cylinders were once considered royal titles, Ferrari had the crown. Twelve cylinders – that was the gold standard. If you had a Ferrari with a V12, you had something more. More power, more prestige, more... everything. But times are changing. And today Ferrari proves that less can be more royal. So - the Ferrari 296 Speciale!
Ferrari 296 Speciale is the latest expression of this philosophy. A special edition of the already incredible 296 GTB, which, with fewer cylinders and more engineering wizardry, achieves results that were reserved for hypercars just a few years ago.
A Symphony of Six Cylinders – Ferrari 296 Speciale
Under the hood beats a heart that should not be underestimated: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, tuned to perfection. Instead of additional cylinders, Ferrari engineers have reached for titanium, reduced the mass of the crankshaft, removed every extra gram from the engine block - literally sculpting the machine from Le Mans DNA.
The total system output now stands at 868 horsepower (691 hp from the V6, 177 hp from the electric motor). That's the most power a rear-wheel-drive Ferrari has ever had. Period.
Aerodynamic poetry
If aerodynamics could be described as an art, the 296 Speciale would be a masterpiece. 20 percent more downforce than the standard GTB – that’s no coincidence, it’s the result of knowledge from the racing world. The “aero damper” on the bonnet? A solution that ensures stability at all chassis heights, from the racing 296 Challenge.
At the rear, new “Gamma” elements and an improved diffuser create a combined 435 kilograms of downforce at 250 km/h. These are not numbers for lovers of comfortable driving – these are numbers for those looking for the limit of grip.
Ferrari 296 Speciale: Numbers you feel in your spine
- 0 to 100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
- 0 to 200 km/h: 7.0 seconds
- Maximum speed: 330 km/h
- Fiorano time: 1 minute and 19 seconds – same as SF90 Stradale
It's no coincidence that the Speciale bears this name. This is a Ferrari that's not made for Instagram, but for that bend on the pass where you experience what perfect positioning means.
Interior without unnecessary words
The interior is brutally honest. Carbon fiber door panels, speakers without grilles – just holes in the carbon panel. Less is more. Every gram counts, every detail has a purpose. Even the materials that are found in F1 and Le Mans are not luxury here – they are part of the DNA.
Specifications that speak for themselves
- Engine: 3.0 V6 twin-turbo + electric motor
- Power: 868 hp (640 kW)
- Torque: 755 Nm
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch
- Weight: 60 kg less than the standard GTB
- Special color: Verde Nürburgring
- Downforce: 435 kg at 250 km/h
Price and exclusivity for the Ferrari 296 Speciale
The first examples are coming in early 2026. Price? Close to half a million dollars/euros. But, honestly, that figure is irrelevant – they’re all already sold out. Only a handful of Ferrari owners were able to place an order. If you had to ask for the price, you weren’t in the game.
Conclusion – when engineering rises above nostalgia
The Ferrari 296 Speciale is not just another special edition; it is proof that the Maranello brand does not rest on its laurels. That it knows how to go beyond its own tradition and create something from six cylinders that feels better than twelve. It is not just about power – it is about the experience, about the heart, about what you feel in the seat and in your chest when you press the gas.
And perhaps that is the greatest compliment to this car: that despite all its technical excesses, it is still – a Ferrari. That's right.
