“All Ferraris are special, but this one is more Special than the rest,” quips Flavio Manzoni, Chief Design Officer at Ferrari, with a playful nod to the name of the newest creation to come out of the Maranello design centre. And it’s no coincidence it’s called the 296 Speciale, the most powerful, exclusive and lightweight evolution of the 296 GTB we have seen since it debuted in 2021. Just one glance is enough to appreciate how much effort has been poured into this model by Ferrari’s technicians, engineers and designers: “We wanted the most fun car Ferrari has ever built”, says Enrico Galliera, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Ferrari, at the model’s unveiling in Maranello.
“Weight-loss programme”
To achieve this, Ferrari put the 296 Speciale on a strict weight-loss programme, shedding an impressive 60 kg compared to the standard 296 GTB. “Two main strategies were used for this: extensive use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium, and the maximised integration of aerodynamic elements”, explains Manzoni. The outcome? A vertical downforce of 435 kg at 250 km/h, 20% more than the 296 GTB. This was the result in part of principles developed in the world of racing, particularly in the 296 Challenge, applied here in a form never before seen on a road car.
A strong character
“The entire design process was guided by a blend of technical evolution and direct racing-derived innovation”, Manzoni adds, “complemented by painstaking work in the wind tunnel to strike a perfect balance between aerodynamic performance and styling”.
Just one look at the front end leaves no doubt that the Speciale – also available in the Speciale A spider version – is a mean Ferrari, seriously mean. And its strong character is not only the result of the 880 horsepower unleashed by the 3.0 V6 hybrid powertrain.
Highly technical bonnet
“The integration of the GT3-inspired aero damper and an unprecedented focus on volume has produced a highly technical bonnet, while the lower part is defined by a suspended splitter that stretches the front intake and widens the car’s stance, significantly boosting aerodynamic load, reminiscent of the twin-hull form of a catamaran”, explains Carlo Palazzani, Head of Pilot Design Projects. At the rear, the most distinctive feature is the two new cantilevered aerodynamic wings that frame the transom”.
References from the F80
The 296 Speciale isn’t just faster and more powerful than the GTB, but a brand new model that embodies the new styling philosophy introduced by Ferrari with the 12Cilindri and further developed with the F80. And, speaking of the F80, the references in the rear wings are evident, as is the clear nod to the legendary 250 LM of 1963 in the profile.
More lightness in the cabin
While the exterior team did a great job trimming the car’s overall weight, it was the interior designers led by Nicola Bevilacqua who delivered one of the most significant contributions. Of the sixty kilograms saved, fully twenty came from the cockpit alone, thanks to new seats and solutions seen for the first time on a Ferrari.
(Full article in A&D no. 273)
