Ferrari 296 Speciale breaks power record

FERRARI has pulled the covers off its high-powered, 296 Speciale PHEV mid-rear engine berlinetta sportscar in Maranello, Italy.

The 1410kg berlinetta (for little saloon) Speciale plug-in hybrid has a combined output from an electrically assisted combustion engine of a whopping 647kW.

Most definitely not a saloon in the accepted sense, the 296 Speciale falls into the high performance two-seater sporty coupe (and convertible) segment and according to Ferrari, “takes its rightful place in the exclusive lineage of special version Ferrari berlinettas.

Just like its forebears – the Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale and 488 Pista – it has been “conceived to set the new benchmark in terms of driving thrills and engagement, not just for the marque’s production range, but for the segment as a whole”, says the prancing horse brand.

The 296 Speciale builds on the already impressive capabilities of the 296 GTB but, says Ferrari, also introduces a sense of predictability and intuitiveness that makes this a car unlike any other.

It targets Ferrari enthusiasts who demand an unrivalled driving experience, driving fun and creates a special feeling of being at the wheel of a car with extraordinary performance.

The essence of the car is its plug-in hybrid architecture, consisting of a rear-mid 120-degree 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine and a transmission, integrated electric motor forming the PHEV system, a short wheelbase, and innovative dynamic control systems.

With electric assistance, the 296 Speciale outpunches its stablemate 296 GTB by a handy 37kW to achieve its peak 647kW… a record for a rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari and capable of pushing the sleek two door from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.8 seconds.

Engine tech’ was lifted from Ferrari motorsport efforts with the ICE borrowing from the power plant of the 296 Challenge cars in terms of engine management maps and boost strategy.

Its forged internals feature titanium connecting rods, reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft, all three, together with a knock control system are derived from Formula 1.

The petrol engine is good for 514kW and is blessed with a distinctive timbre that ups the ante on the GTB in terms of sound quality, intensity and volume.

The uprated electric motor can deliver 132kW in the new extra boost mode and provides an electric only range of 25km through a 7.45 kWh high voltage battery installed in the underfloor of the car.

The overall power increase has allowed Ferrari technicians to introduce a new strategy for the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) which makes use of additional torque during shifts to shorten shift times and increase both performance and driver engagement.

But this amount of power and potential speed demands efficient aerodynamics that delivers the required amount of downforce to keep the model on the road, in this case, 435kg downforce at 250km/h or 20 per cent more than the 296 GTB.

Ferrari turned to innovative solutions developed and tested on the 296 Challenge for the Speciale that include an aero damper integrated into the front bonnet and the vertical fins on the rear bumper which incorporate new side wings that work in synergy with the active rear spoiler to generate additional downforce.

The spoiler is managed by a new actuator control strategy that shortens the transition time between Low Drag (LD) and High Downforce (HD) configurations by 50 per cent but also introduces a new Medium Downforce (MD) configuration, which improves rear-end stability at high speeds.

On top of the aero work, Ferrari dedicated a great deal of time to weight saving on the Speciale which sheds 60kg compared with the 296 GTB using carbon-fibre for some of the body shell parts and titanium for components in the engine. The resulting power:weight ratio is a record for a rear-wheel-drive Ferrari berlinetta.

Ferrari’s engineers fine-tuned the model’s electronic control systems, suspension set-up and tyres equipping the 296 Speciale with the latest generation of the ABS Evo dynamic control system dedicated to improving braking precision and “repeatability” in all surface and grip conditions.

They also focused on spring and damper settings with revisions making the car now ride 5mm lower than the 296 GTB – reducing maximum roll angle when cornering by 13 per cent and “improving the behaviour of the car at the limit”.