Ferrari 296 Speciale Review: Is it Worthy of the Name?

The Ferrari 296 Speciale: A New Era

• 🏎️ The Ferrari 296 Speciale aims to live up to the legacy of its predecessor, the 458 Speciale, but faces the challenge of modern legislative rules and a hybrid powertrain.
• 💡 Ferrari is focusing on generating thrills and emotion in its cars, as outright performance is now easier to achieve due to technological advancements.
• 🎯 The "fun matrix" for development includes measurable areas like longitudinal and lateral thrills, braking, gear shifts, and sound.

Design and Driving Experience

• ✨ The Speciale features carbon door panels, Alcantara trim, and firmer, retro-styled seats, with a Verde Nürburgring paint job as a nod to recent racing events.
• 🌧️ Despite its aggressive nature, the Speciale handles treacherous wet and bumpy roads with remarkable precision and quick-witted steering.
• 🔊 The V6 engine, lightened for the Speciale, produces 690 bhp and is enhanced with more resonators and pipes for improved cabin sound, offering delightful cracks and rumbles on overrun.

Performance and Handling

• ⚡ The hybrid powertrain delivers a combined 868 bhp in qualifying mode, with the electric motor providing an additional 152 bhp.
• 🚀 The car accelerates from 0 to 124 mph in a blistering 7 seconds, showcasing its relentless speed.
• ⚙️ On track, the Speciale utilizes passive dampers, stiffer springs, and firmer anti-roll bars, offering 4% greater lateral grip and 13% less roll than the GTB.
• 💨 The ABS Evo system and fast gear shifts contribute to exceptional braking and acceleration, with a noticeable kick on upshifts.

Track Performance and Aerodynamics

• 🎯 The Speciale achieves a lap time at Fiorano of 1 minute 19 seconds, making it 4.5 seconds faster than the 458 Speciale and 2 seconds faster than the 296 GTB.
• 🌬️ Aerodynamic enhancements include an aero damper that stabilizes pressure between the underfloor and the body, generating 435 kg of downforce, 70% of which is on the front axle.
• 💡 The active rear spoiler also contributes to stability, with a new mid-setting for faster reactions.

Legacy and Comparison

• 🤔 The reviewer suggests that while the 296 Speciale is a fantastic car, its name might invite unfair comparisons to its hardcore predecessors.
• 📈 It's described as a "296 GTB plus plus," more aggressive and better to drive, but not as raw as the Challenge Stradale, Scuderia, 458 Speciale, or Pista.
• 🚀 The reviewer posits that there might be headroom for an even more extreme model in Ferrari's future lineup.