The 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale is the most powerful rear-wheel-drive model ever from the Prancing Horse.
Ferrari’s tradition of building even more hardcore variants of its supercars is alive and well after the Prancing Horse brand revealed the 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale overnight.
The track-honed special edition is a lighter and more powerful rendition of Ferrari’s mid-engine 296 GTB, now outputting 648kW from its hybrid-assisted mid-mounted V6 engine.
As before, the 296 Speciale’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but the electric motor sitting between has now been uprated to provide 132kW/315Nm in a new ‘Qualify’ driving mode.
This now allows for the 296 Speciale to run from zero to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds, and onto a top speed beyond 330km/h.
The engine’s 37kW power boost over the standard car is courtesy of stronger titanium components, remapped boost strategies, strengthened pistons and enhanced combustion chamber pressures.
Titanium conrods were pinched from the Ferrari F80 hypercar to withstand the higher-pressure combustion, while Le Mans-inspired upgrades represent the first time titanium stud bolts and fastener screws have been employed in a road-going car.
Up to 60kg of weight has also been shaved from the 296 Speciale thanks to the prodigious use of carbon-fibre for body shell parts and titanium components for the engine. The engine itself is 9kg lighter than before, owing to the new titanium internals.
The resulting car is lighter, faster, and more powerful than the 296 GTB on which it’s based, and it also takes the mantle as Ferrari’s most powerful rear-wheel-drive production car ever.
In terms of styling, the 296 Speciale’s form follows function. Aerodynamic improvements mean the special edition is fitted with an air damper on the front bonnet that was originally developed on the 296 Challenge track car. Other changes underside the front bumper allow for air to flow seamlessly from beneath the vehicle to the upper body. As a result, downforce is stabilised even when the car’s nose pitches and raises under braking or hard acceleration.
In total, the Ferrari 296 Speciale develops 435kg of downforce at 250km/h, a 20 per cent improvement of the standard 296 GTB.
At the rear, integrated side wings embrace the rear quarters to reduce drag and an active aero rear spoiler can cycle between varying aerodynamic modes faster than on the regular 296 GTB.
A new set of carbon-fibre wheels was designed specially for the 296 Speciale, though they take a similar form to what is already seen on the F80 hypercar. These include diamond-cut wheel barrels surrounding carbon-fibre spokes.
These wheels come wrapped in a specially-developed version of Michelin’s Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
On the inside, the Ferrari 296 Speciale follows its special edition forebears. This means door panels consisting of a single block of carbon-fibre, carbon-fibre shrouding for the central tunnel, and carbon-fibre-backed bucket seats with Alcantara padding.
A new colour was developed to celebrate the 296 Speciale’s reveal, Verde Nurburgring. The 296 Speciale livery is typified by two longitudinal stripes extending the length of the car, plus the option of race numbers (from 00 to 99) painted on the doors.
In the same vein as the regular Ferrari 296 GTB (coupe) and 296 GTS (convertible), the 296 Speciale will also come with a convertible variant dubbed the 296 Speciale A (Aperta).
Ferrari’s new 296 Speciale follows a long line of lightened and more powerful special editions, including the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488
Pista.
As if a standard Ferrari wasn’t collectible enough, these special editions have become particularly sought after years later.
However, securing one in the first place will be no easy task. While the 296 Speciale isn’t limited in terms of production numbers, the production run is limited in terms of time.
Ferrari also suggests buyers should be ‘active’ customers to have the best chance at buying one.
Production is due to start in Q1 2026, meaning right-hand-drive Australian examples are likely to follow in the second half of 2026 with pricing to be locked in closer to its release.
However, overseas, the 296 Speciale starts from €407,000, which translates to around $AU723,400 – positioning it well above the $604,000 before on-road costs of the 296 GTB donor car.
Tom started out in the automotive industry by exploiting his photographic skills but quickly learned journalists got the better end of the deal. With tenures at CarAdvice, Wheels Media, and now Drive, Tom's breadth of experience and industry knowledge informs a strong opinion on all things automotive. At Drive, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories.
