Introduced as Ferrari’s first V6-powered supercar, the 296 GTB caught a lot of flak from collectors and purists, almost side-eyeing the hybrid-assisted, twin-turbocharged platform as an outcast within a lineup of 8- and 12-cylinder engines. And while it certainly proved to be an entirely new direction for the brand, its performance figures and stats are undeniable, winning over a whole new community of owners and enthusiasts. The 296 legacy follows that natural progression of Ferrari of perfecting its craft before launching a serious track-focused version of its road-going counterpart, thus the birth of the Ferrari 296 Speciale.
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The team at Ferrari of San Antonio took to its Instagram to show off a recently delivered 296 Speciale in what looks to be one of the best configurations we’ve seen yet. Shying away from some of the manufacturer's well-known, historical shades, this spec features a vibrant Verde Nürburgring finish with Argento Nürburgring racing strips and racing numbers. The choice of color really highlights how far Ferrari went to add extra aero and cooling while shedding weight, thanks to a ton of exposed gloss carbon-fiber components. Even the 20-inch wheels, crafted exclusively from carbon fiber, add to its performance, now 40% lighter than standard forged wheels.
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Inside, the cabin carries over the same motorsport-derived DNA as some of Ferrari’s most stripped-down track cars, ditching standard options like floor mats and adding in safety measures like a strapped-in fire extinguisher. In addition to a full carbon fiber tub, black and what looks to be Rosso Dino Alcantara layer the dash and two-piece carbon sport bucket seats. Tech being a driving force for the 296 Speciale, LED screens and haptic touch buttons keep the driver connected, while a passenger-mounted display lets the co-driver see real-time performance data.
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At the heart of the Ferrari 296 Speciale is an upgraded version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, paired with an electric motor to produce 880 horsepower. The engine borrows lightweight titanium connecting rods from the F80 hypercar, features a lighter crankshaft, and incorporates Formula 1-inspired engine management to extract even more power. The result is Ferrari's most powerful rear-wheel-drive production car to date, launching from 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds, reaching 124 mph in 7.0 seconds, and continuing on to a top speed of more than 205 mph. Now, as Speciale variants start to land in showrooms, we can’t wait to see future Ferrari 296 Speciale specs.
Source: Ferrari of San Antonio Instagram