Ferrari 296 Speciale Revealed: Lighter, Faster, Smarter Than Ever

Ferrari has officially lifted the curtain on the new 296 Speciale, a model that takes the existing 296 GTB and injects it with more power, less weight, and enhanced aerodynamics. On paper, it seems ready to deliver a sharper and more visceral driving experience. But with the Lamborghini Temerario entering the scene at nearly the same time, this new Ferrari will have its work cut out to stand out.

Right from the jump, comparisons to the Lamborghini Temerario are inevitable. Both cars are plug-in hybrids, both come from Italy’s most iconic supercar manufacturers, and both aim to be the pinnacle of modern performance engineering. Pricing is expected to be similar, although the final numbers could shift depending on tariffs.

Looking at the raw specs, the Lamborghini has a few upper hands. It features a four-liter twin-turbocharged V-eight engine capable of revving to ten thousand revolutions per minute, while the Ferrari comes with a three-liter twin-turbocharged V-six that tops out at eight thousand revolutions per minute. The Lamborghini also has all-wheel drive, while the Ferrari sticks with a rear-wheel-drive layout.

However, Ferrari’s ace in the hole is weight—or rather, the lack of it. The 296 Speciale weighs just 3,110 pounds dry, which is 620 pounds less than the Lamborghini. That difference becomes significant when talking about performance and handling. Despite having a larger battery pack, Ferrari’s engineers have managed to trim every possible gram. From titanium conrods to specially milled engine blocks and lightweight bolts, everything has been done to ensure this car stays as light and agile as possible.

When it comes to performance, the numbers are tight. Both cars deliver 789 horsepower from their internal combustion engines. But Ferrari’s hybrid system brings the total output to 867 horsepower, slightly below the Lamborghini’s 907 horsepower. Still, the Ferrari has a better power-to-weight ratio, which counts heavily when it comes to real-world driving. Zero to 62 miles per hour takes 2.8 seconds, which is just a tenth of a second off the Lamborghini’s time. Zero to 124 miles per hour is a tenth quicker at 7.0 seconds.

The 296 Speciale’s electric motor—made by YASA—adds 177 horsepower when in “extra boost” mode and is slightly more powerful than the one in the standard 296 GTB. In pure electric mode, output is limited to 152 horsepower. Interestingly, this is likely to be the last Ferrari to use a YASA motor, as the British firm is now owned by Mercedes-Benz.

While the numbers are impressive, Ferrari’s true strength lies in how it delivers performance. The Speciale is more than just an engine upgrade—it is a spiritual successor to models like the 458 Speciale, 430 Scuderia, and 360 Challenge Stradale. These were not just faster Ferraris; they were sharper, more communicative machines built to reward skilled drivers.

In terms of design, Ferrari has gone for functional enhancements rather than flash. At the front, the new bumper integrates more airflow channels, helping the underbody aero elements work more efficiently. There is even an “aero damper”—a slot in the hood that feeds air from underneath to increase downforce. Fender vents also hint at the car’s aggressive intent.

The rear is where the visual changes are more noticeable. While the active spoiler remains similar to the 296 GTB, it now moves quicker and can enter an “armed” position to improve responsiveness. New “side wings” have been added to help shape airflow and reduce drag.

All these tweaks result in a car that can generate 960 pounds of downforce at 155 miles per hour—nearly 20 percent more than the standard 296 GTB. Ferrari expects that number to grow even further as the car approaches its top speed of 205 miles per hour. Although Lamborghini has not released exact figures for the Temerario, internal estimates suggest the Ferrari still holds the aerodynamic edge.

On the electronic side, the 296 Speciale is more advanced than ever. It reads road grip levels in real-time using a mix of electric steering data and six-axis G-force sensors. This allows the car to constantly adapt suspension, traction, and other systems for maximum control. According to Ferrari’s dynamics manager Andrea Giacomini, it is not about forcing the driver to wrestle the car—it is about keeping everything feeling natural and intuitive.

The challenge of pushing so much power through just the rear wheels is not lost on Ferrari’s development team. Gianmaria Fulgenzi, the brand’s chief of development, puts it plainly: “We are reaching a mountain of horsepower that is close to the limit for rear-wheel drive.” That makes the 296 Speciale not just fast but an engineering statement about what is still possible with rear-driven setups.

The results speak loudly. On Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, the Speciale has clocked a time of 1 minute and 19 seconds. That is 3.5 seconds quicker than the F8 Tributo, 2.5 seconds faster than the 296 GTB, and 0.7 seconds faster than the iconic LaFerrari. Only the all-wheel-drive SF90 XX has gone faster, clocking a 1 minute and 17.3 second lap.

Ferrari will release both the coupe and Aperta convertible versions at the same time. These will not be limited editions per se, but availability will be exclusive. Only “active clients”—those who have bought a Ferrari in the last five years—will be eligible to buy one. It is not about building a fixed number but about limiting production time to keep things exclusive.

Pricing for the United States has not been finalized, but expect both versions to cost significantly more than the standard 296 GTB and GTS. Tariffs may also play a role in final dealer pricing. Deliveries are set to begin next year, which means the Ferrari 296 Speciale and the Lamborghini Temerario will hit garages at almost the same time.

Both of these cars are incredible feats of engineering and design. The question is, which one would you rather have parked in your driveway? Let us know in the comments. And do not forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss another high-octane video from our channel.