So Ferrari is developing a hotter version of the 296, and in an effort to keep it secret, they've given it a disguise so subtle and understated that it now resembles a pregnant hippopotamus wearing a duvet. It's the automotive equivalent of trying to sneak into a party while wearing a Christmas tree costume. The spy shots from Italy show what is allegedly the upcoming "Versione Speciale" version of the 296, though you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Saleen S7 that had eaten too many pasta dinners. The camouflage is so thick and chunky that the car looks like it's been shrink-wrapped in sofa cushions. It's as if Ferrari hired the same people who do witness protection to disguise their new supercar. Let's take a brief history lesson, shall we? The 296 GTB was introduced as Ferrari's "entry-level" mid-engine supercar, if you can call anything starting at $346,950 "entry-level." Image Credits: Motor1.com, available at [link] It was the first Ferrari since the legendary Dino to feature a V6 engine, though this one is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit coupled with an electric motor that together produce a not-insignificant 819 horsepower. It was followed by the GTS version, which is the same car but with a folding hardtop for those who enjoy the sound of wind and insects at 150 mph. Now, Ferrari appears to be working on what they're internally calling the "Versione Speciale" or VS, which is their fancy Italian way of saying "the expensive one that makes you feel inadequate if you only have the regular version." And to hide it from prying eyes, they've wrapped it in what appears to be the entire year's supply of camouflage for the Italian military. The disguise is so comprehensive that the car looks approximately three feet wider than it probably is. The wheel arches and side skirts have been padded out to the point where you'd struggle to fit it through a normal Italian street without taking someone's balcony with you. The only thing they've left exposed are the exhaust pipes, which have been repositioned further apart rather than sitting together in the middle like on the standard car. Presumably, this is to allow more room for the fire that will inevitably erupt when you floor it. Image Credits: Derek Photography on Instagram, available at [link] What's particularly fascinating is that Ferrari has gone to such lengths to disguise what is essentially just a hotter version of an existing car. It's not as if they're testing an entirely new model that will revolutionize the automotive landscape. They're just adding some aero bits and probably squeezing another 30 or 40 horsepower out of the hybrid V6. It's like wearing a full disguise to buy slightly spicier chicken wings than usual. According to the forum experts at FerrariChat (who are never wrong about anything, just ask them), the 296 VS will get more power while keeping the hybrid setup. There's talk of an updated body with additional aerodynamic addenda, including left and right rear spoilers, an enlarged diffuser, and a fully enclosed engine hood. They're also planning to put the car on a diet, making it lighter than the GTB's 3,241 pounds dry weight, which is already impressively svelte for a hybrid. The oddest bit about all this excessive camouflage is that it actually draws more attention to the car. If Ferrari had simply slapped on some swirly stickers like everyone else, most people would have just assumed it was a regular 296 with some aftermarket parts. But no, they've gone for the "look at me, I'm definitely not a secret new Ferrari" approach instead. Image Credits: Derek Photography on Instagram, available at [link] It's worth noting that the 296, in its current form, is already a bit of a monster. The twin-turbo V6 may be down on cylinder count compared to the glorious V8s and V12s of Ferrari's past, but it makes up for it with sheer ferocity. The 296 will hit 60 mph in under three seconds and keeps pulling well past speeds that would get your license confiscated in any developed nation. One can only imagine what the VS version will be capable of - probably teleportation. According to the rumor mill, this particular piece of Italian lunacy will be officially unveiled on April 29th, at which point we'll finally get to see what's been hiding underneath all that padding. There's also talk of a racing-inspired "Piloti Edition" coming later, featuring a choice between GT3 and LM liveries, which will presumably be priced somewhere in the stratosphere. As for how much the 296 VS will cost, Ferrari hasn't said, but you can bet your house it'll be significantly more than the standard GTB's $346,950 asking price. Let's face it, they could charge half a million dollars and still have a waiting list longer than the contents page of War and Peace. But that's Ferrari for you. They're not just selling cars; they're selling dreams, exclusivity, and the opportunity to make your neighbor feel inadequate about their measly Porsche 911 Turbo S. And judging by their record sales in 2024, it's a formula that continues to work spectacularly well. In the meantime, if you happen to be driving through Italy and see what appears to be a small building on wheels with Ferrari exhaust pipes, now you know what it is. Just don't stare too long, or they might add another layer of camouflage.
