Ferrari, which will be presenting its first EV in October, showcased the two new plug-in hybrid models at its Maranello headquarters, in the north of Italy. Ferrari RACE.MI refreshed its hybrid range on Tuesday with the recent 296 Speciale and its convertible version as the luxury sports car maker prepares for its first leap into the fully electric time. They are based on the 2021 Ferrari 296, a car that is at these time approaching the end of its life cycle.
More powerfull and improved aerodynamics
The 296 Speciale is lighter, more powerful and with better aerodynamics, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera explained, adding it was focused on performance and driving pleasure. “It’s not a car for all driver, we won’t widen our client base with it,” he said during the entire presentation. “It’s a model for our historic clients, who know Ferrari very well and seek a driving thrill.”
The 296 Speciale packs a three-liter, six-cylinder, 700 horsepower combustion engine. Its electric component is an extra for a further 180 horsepower. Deliveries are awaited to begin in the first quarter of next year, by the time the retractable top version, known as the ‘A’, will be available in the second quarter. The new car will have a price tag in Italy of 407,000 euros ($449,000), increasing to 462,000 euros for the convertible, which puts them in the mid- to high-end of Ferrari’s price range.
More information about the engine and interior
The best innovations are represented by the technical interventions on the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The twin-turbo V6 engine has higher torque and power ratings, thanks in part to increased combustion chamber pressure. The electric motor also gains power, 13 hp more, for a peak of 180 hp in Qualifying mode. The other programs, selectable through the eManettino, are Performance, Hybrid and e-Drive, the latter to be able to travel 25 km on electric power and touch a speed of 135 km/h.
The mechanics are also 9 kg lighter thanks to additional special milling and the use of aluminum pistons and titanium connecting rods, as in the F80. On the scales, the 296 Speciale weighs 1,410 kg, which becomes 1,460 for the Aperta.
About interior the 296 Speciale reflects its simple and sporty features. Everything considered superfluous has been deleted or replaced by solutions of better ergonomics. An example of this ‘diet’ is the door panels, now replaced by a single integral piece of carbon fiber with exposed fasteners and perforated to house the audio system.
About the prices and its increasement
Prices will be higher in the United States by an amount still to be defined, Galliera said, after Ferrari presented the previous month it was increasing prices of some of its cars in the country by up to 10% in response to tariffs. Only some models approaching the end of their life cycles are being excluded from U.S. price increases.
Order books for the 296 Speciale open on Tuesday, but interest is already high, Galliera explained. Clients who have interacted with an official Ferrari dealer in the past five years will have priority in placing orders. .
A completely different car being developed
“It will be something completely different. But we’ve been developing skills on components for EVs for more than a decade,” Galliera exposed. CEO Benedetto Vigna reaffirmed this month Ferrari would keep to make petrol and hybrid cars, as well as EVs. He added the company would launch a total of six new models this year, including the fully-electric one.
Ferrari’s first fully electric car, breaking its tradition of ro ring petrol engines, will be unveiled on Oct. 9 in Maranello. It is a great car that presents great innovations that are also totally unexpected in the automotive market, from its price to all the features are the key to make this car a before and after today.
