Faster, lighter, more powerful and coming for the Lamborghini Revuelto, McLaren 750S and Porsche 911 S/T: 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale is the 330km/h hybrid supercar of your dreams

Ferrari has continued its two-decade long line of ‘special’ versions of its smaller mid-rear engined supercars with the arrival of the 296 Speciale, a fire-breathing 647kW version of the twin-turbo, V6 plug-in hybrid.

Following in the wheel tracks of the 360-based Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista, the 296 Speciale features more power courtesy of revised engine management mapping and turbo boost profile and boasts titanium connecting rods (the same as used in the F80 hypercar), reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft.

Together with a knock control system derived from Formula 1, the Speciale’s 3.0-litre, 120-degree V6 engine alone produces no less than 515kW, 27 more than the 296 it’s based on.

The electric motor sitting between the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission has been uprated to deliver 132kW in a new ‘extra boost’ mode for a total output of 647kW, which equates to 880hp. Zero to 100km/h comes up in a lazy 2.8sec with a maximum velocity in excess of 330km/h.

And this increase in power has allowed a new shorter shift time strategy for the transmission to take advantage of the car’s greater torque (now 755Nm, up from 740), as Ferrari says, “to increase performance and driver engagement”.

Ferrari claims the 296 Speciale generates 435kg of downforce at 250 km/h - 20 per cent more than the 296 GTB - thanks to a revised aero package derived from the 296 GT3 and Challenge competition cars.

This includes an ‘aero damper’ integrated into the front bonnet and vertical fins on the rear bumper with new side wings working in concert with the active rear spoiler and a reshaped diffuser. And that spoiler now transitions between its low-drag and high-downforce positions 50 per cent faster, with a new ’Medium Downforce’ configuration designed to improve rear-end stability at high speed.

There’s also a vivid ‘Verde Nürburgring’ exterior colour developed specifically for this car and buyers can select an optional graphics package including a racing number on the door from 00 to 99.

No surprise kerb weight has been trimmed with a 60kg reduction compared with the 296 GTB thanks to the use of carbon fibre for some body elements and titanium for selected engine components.

The 296 Speciale is equipped with the latest generation of Ferrari’s ‘ABS Evo’ dynamic control system, which is claimed to “improve braking precision and repeatability in all surface and grip conditions”.

Spring and damper settings have been revised and the car rides 5.0mm lower, reducing maximum roll angle when cornering by 13 per cent. In fact, titanium springs are lifted from the 296 GT3.

And when it comes to sonic entertainment, Ferrari has retained equal length exhaust headers and a single tailpipe configuration and says new acoustic ducts accentuate the soundtrack. Rev ceiling is 8500rpm.

The electric system is powered by a 7.45kWh high voltage battery under the floor providing a pure-electric driving range of up to 25 km and an EV-only top-speed of 135 km/h.

Rubber is even more serious with a specially developed, F80 influenced, version of Michelin’s Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres wrapped around its 20-inch rims - 245/35 front / 305/35 rear. Brakes are suitably massive with huge carbon-ceramic rotors on each corner.

The interior has fewer elements to save weight and reduce complexity with extensive use of carbon fibre, Alcantara and aluminium.

A specific carbon door panel incorporates a grab handle, bare fasteners dial up the racy vibe and the centre tunnel structure is entirely carbon-fibre.

Pricing in Italy starts at €407,000 for the Coupe rising to €462,000 for the Aperta (Spider convertible), which on a direct currency conversion equates to $720,000 and $818,000 Aussie dollars, respectively, with exact local pricing and unit allocation still to be confirmed.

And while the production number for the car isn’t limited, timing is, with Ferrari telling us this car’s life-cycle will be appreciably shorter than usual. And on top of that it will only be available for purchase by existing ‘active’ clients.

Production and deliveries are set to kick off with the Coupe in Q1 next year with the Aperta following in Q2. Likely initial build will be left-hand drive, so expect to see the car in Australia in the second half of 2026.