‘Extreme heights’ with top down
Ferrari’s 296 Speciale A joins the Scuderia Spider 16M, 458 Speciale A and 488 Pista Spider, as an exclusive limited edition of Ferrari’s berlinetta-derived spiders.
The marque is aiming for the mid-rear engined plug-in hybrid to become the range’s benchmark in terms of top-down driving thrills.
The 296 Speciale A takes the agility and responsiveness of the 296 GTS to “extreme heights” by exploiting the full potential of its plug-in hybrid architecture, consisting of a V6 twin-turbo engine, electric motor, short wheelbase and dynamic control systems.
Its drivetrain delivers combined power output of 656kW, which is 37kW more than the 296 GTS and a record for a rear-wheel-drive production Ferrari.
The internal combustion engine borrows from the 296 Challenge’s powerplant in terms of management maps and boost strategy, and boasts titanium connecting rods, reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft.
These elements, along with a knock-control system derived from Formula One, have raised the V6’s power output to 515kW at 8,000rpm – 27kW more than the model this special is based on.
The electric motor has also been uprated and is capable of delivering 132kW in the new extra-boost mode. This jump has also made it possible to introduce a new strategy for the eight-speed DCT transmission, which uses torque during shifts to shorten shift times and boost performance and engagement.
The 296 Speciale A generates 435kg of downforce at 250kph with the roof up – 20 per cent more than the 296 GTS – thanks to the aero damper being integrated into the front bonnet and there being vertical fins on the rear bumper, which incorporate new side wings that work with the active rear spoiler to create extra downforce.
A new actuator control strategy manages the spoiler to not only shorten the transition time between low drag and high-downforce configurations by 50 per cent, but also introduce a medium-downforce configuration, which improves rear-end stability at high speeds.
Overall weight has been cut by 50kg compared with the 296 GTS by using materials such as carbon fibre for some of the bodyshell parts and titanium for components in the engine.
The 296 Speciale A is equipped with the latest generation of the ABS evo dynamic control, which improves braking precision and repeatability in all surface and grip conditions.
The spring and damper settings have been revised – the car now rides 5mm lower than the 296 GTS – to reduce maximum roll angle when cornering by 13 per cent and improving the car’s behaviour at the limit.
The 296 Speciale has a top speed of 330kph and a 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds. It kicks on to 200kph in 7.3 seconds.
