The 296 Speciale: Ferrari’s Seventh “Lightweight” Member The 296 Speciale is the seventh of Ferrari’s hardcore lightweight variants of their “mid-engine” babies. With a silly name previously designated to the legendary lightweight 458 Variant, this hardcore 296 costs $462,000, almost $100,000 more than the regular 296 GTB, and that’s before you’ve started ticking the Ferrari’s option list. The design is directly inspired by the 296 Challenge with a deeply scalloped and shaped bonnet, a suspended splitter, flanks that are sculpted, front air vents and a bold new wing to both make it more striking and force feed air to the engine. There’s now a dark metal mesh and dark-coloured roof to contrast the rest of the body, unique five-spoke forged wheels and of course, a wide black stripe spans the whole vehicle. Read More Photos: 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale and Speciale A released Inside, the door panels are made from carbon fibre, with a grab handle integrated into the door. The seats are constructed in a blend of carbon fibre and Alcantara. The Hi-Fi system is integrated into the panel to also save weight and the centre tunnel of the Speciale is also emphasised being constructed of carbon-fibre. Overall the car weighs a fairly light 1,410kg. The Speciale enhances its aerodynamics balancing its active spoiler to offer an intermediate Medium Downforce setting, improving rear stability under high-speed cornering and braking. The front undertray is more efficient than ever and the overall result of all this sees an improvement of 20% more aerodynamic grip over the GTB with 435kg of downforce generated at 155mph. Ferrari have also modified the V6 hybrid with new connecting rods, lighter pistons, a redesigned nitride steel crankshaft to reduce weight on the engine by 9kg and a combustion chamber up by 7%. The Electric Motor was also modified with an improved axial-flux MGU-K motor. The results of these are 880 horsepower, over 50 more than the regular 296 GTB. The top speed is still 205mph is identical to the 296 GTB., 0-62mph now takes just 2.7 seconds, 0.1 seconds less than the GTB. The Speciale also sounds a lot deeper and richer than the regular 296. The 8-speed dual clutch has been modified with a much faster shift between 1st and 7th and like all great Ferrari’s expect it to dart and dance throughout the corners. The Piloti Spec: Design Inside and Out The Piloti Speciale pays tribute to the 499P Hypercar, which claimed victory in both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This car was specced by Ferrari’s Tailor Made programme that celebrates Ferrari’s domination in Motorsport. It is also set to be sold specifically to those who actively participate in Ferrari’s client racing programmes. The Speciale Piloti is available in Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, and Argento Nürburgring. Each variant includes a Giallo Modena livery inspired by the 499P, complete with a hand-painted WEC logo, the Italian flag on the bumper and a specific racing number as seen by the customer. The launch model has the number 51 paying tribute to the 499P driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi who secured Ferrari’s LeMans win. Inside there’s fireproof fabric, black Alcantara seats and customers will also receive Tailor Made options like a carbon identification plaque, customisable door sills and a personal metal footplate. Who Qualifies for the Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti? The Speciale Piloti is only involved for those who take part in Ferrari’s Client Racing Programmes like the Corse Clienti, XX Programme, F1 Clienti, Club Challenge and the new Sport Prototipi track series for customer-run 499P Mods. The 296 Speciale Piloti is limited to just 40 units with prices starting at around $685,000 and will only be available to Ferrari’s most loyal clientele. Overall though, one would be better with the regular Speciale. Source: Ferrari
