Ferrari Unveils 296 Speciale A

Maranello has lifted the covers off the Ferrari 296 Speciale A, the open-top companion to the newly unveiled 296 Speciale coupe. Slated to replace the 296 GTS in Ferrari’s product line, the 296 Speciale A—‘A’ for Aperta, or open in Italian—continues Ferrari’s tradition of high-performance, limited-series spiders, while introducing hybrid technology into a segment historically dominated by naturally aspirated or turbocharged V8 engines.

Penned by Ferrari’s design chief Flavio Manzoni and his team, the 296 Speciale A adopts a significantly more aggressive visual language than its predecessor. Design revisions across the front, side, and rear of the vehicle include a prominent aerodynamic damper derived from Ferrari’s 296 GT3 race car and a reworked rear deck. The retractable hardtop features acoustic insulation and maintains the structural integrity expected of a mid-engined berlinetta.

The car's flying bridge design evolves with the inclusion of dual flying buttresses, adding visual drama and aerodynamic efficiency. The Speciale A is offered in vibrant Rosso Dino with the option of one or two longitudinal white stripes and race-inspired numbered roundels, paying homage to Ferrari’s motorsport heritage.

Underneath its sculpted bodywork, the 296 Speciale A retains Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid setup: a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 paired with a rear-mounted electric motor. The combined system output is 868 bhp and 755 Nm of torque. The V6 engine, with a 120-degree bank angle and an 8,500 rpm redline, is engineered for high-revving performance and enhanced acoustic characteristics. Ferrari uses a system of tuned ducts to channel engine sound into the cabin, further enhancing the driving experience.

Power is transmitted through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the electric motor integrated into the drivetrain to smooth out torque delivery during gear shifts. The result is a 0–100 kmph sprint in 2.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 330 kmph.

The plug-in hybrid system features a 7.45 kWh high-voltage battery mounted in the floor, allowing for an all-electric driving range of up to 25 km. The vehicle supports four driving modes—eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify—with the latter unlocking maximum system power, including 175 bhp from the electric motor alone at engine speeds above 6,000 rpm.

In electric-only mode, the 296 Speciale A can reach speeds of up to 135 kmph. Hybrid mode limits electric propulsion to 125 kmph, while Performance mode prioritises constant engine operation to ensure battery replenishment and responsiveness.

Ferrari claims the 296 Speciale A generates 435 kg of downforce at 250 kmph, a 20 per cent increase over the 296 GTS. Much of this improvement is attributed to aerodynamic innovations first developed for the 296 Challenge race car, including faster actuator response times for transitioning between low and high downforce configurations.

Despite being based on an aluminum chassis rather than a carbon monocoque, the Speciale A is more than 50 kg lighter than the 296 GTS. Weight-saving measures include the extensive use of carbon fibre and titanium, aiding both performance and handling precision.

The interior of the 296 Speciale A follows Ferrari’s current minimalist design ethos. The cockpit forgoes a central touchscreen in favour of a digital instrument cluster, with an optional passenger-side display. The stripped-down layout focuses on driver engagement, while premium materials and racing-inspired detailing reinforce its special-series status.

The price of the 296 Speciale A reflects its positioning in Ferrari’s lineup. The open-top model starts at €462,000 (approximately ₹4.44 crore), a notable premium over the €407,000 (₹3.91 crore) 296 Speciale coupe. Both figures mark a significant increase from the outgoing 296 GTB, which is priced at €292,000 (₹2.80 crore).