Latest news with #296GTB
TimesLIVE
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Ferrari reveals more extreme 296 Speciale
Ferrari has unveiled the most potent iteration of its hybrid 296 rear-wheel drive supercar. The 296 Speciale, available in berlinetta (coupe) and drop-top Aperta guises, has been sharpened with improved power, tweaked aerodynamics and enhanced suspension, with a weight reduction. These measures were aimed at delivering more driving thrills and the mid-rear engined plug-in hybrid represents the new pinnacle for the Italian marque's production car line-up in driving fun, said Ferrari. The high-revving 2.9 l V6 twin turbo engine uses racing technology — including titanium connecting rods, reinforced pistons and a lightened crankshaft — to hike the power output to 515kW, compared with 488kW for the standard 296. The electric motor has also been uprated and the hybrid drivetrain delivers a combined power output of 648kW, up from the previous 610kW and a record for a rear-wheel drive production Ferrari. The 296 Speciale also has an enhanced sound with the addition of new acoustic ducts. The coupe's weight has been reduced by 60kg compared with the 296 GTB by using materials such as carbon fibre for some body parts. The 0-100km/h sprint is quoted at 2.8 seconds — a one-tenth improvement — with top speed rated at more than 330km/h. The 296 Speciale generates 435kg of downforce at 250km/h — 20% more than the 296 GTB — thanks to solutions developed in the Ferrari 296 Challenge racing series. These include an aero damper integrated into the front bonnet and the vertical fins on the rear bumper, with new side wings that work with the active rear spoiler. With the existing low drag and high downforce configurations, the spoiler has a new medium downforce setting which improves rear-end stability at high speeds. A dedicated version of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyre has been developed for the 296 Speciale, which benefits from experience gained with the Ferrari F80 hypercar. Brake cooling has also been improved to deal with the greater thermal loads the car is capable of with its increased power output, downforce and tyre grip. To heighten the car's predictability when driven at the limit, Ferrari also fine-tuned the electronic control systems, suspension set-up and tyres. The 296 Speciale is equipped with the latest generation ABS Evo dynamic control system, which improves braking precision and repeatability in all surface and grip conditions. The spring and damper settings have been revised and the car rides 5mm lower than the 296 GTB — reducing maximum roll angle when cornering by 13%.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ferrari 296 Speciale: Beautiful, Brutal, Perfect
Ferrari brought something truly special (pun intended) to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Among the usual sea of supercars, this 296 Speciale, finished in a rich Verde Nürburgring with a white livery and the number 25 on the doors and hood, stopped us in our tracks. Over the past decade, Ferrari's design language has taken a more futuristic turn. But with the launch of the 296 GTB a few years ago, and the new Amalfi, it seems Maranello is swinging back toward beauty - and we're not complaining. The 296 Speciale follows in the footsteps of legendary mid-engined models like the 458 Speciale and 488 Pista. But unlike its V8 predecessors, this one packs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and a single electric motor. Combined output sits at 869 horsepower - 70 more than the already potent 296 GTB. That makes it the most powerful rear-wheel-drive Ferrari ever. It's also the first time Ferrari has applied its special series formula to a plug-in hybrid. We had our doubts about a PHEV Ferrari, but the 296 Speciale quickly proved them wrong. The electric tech isn't about saving fuel; it's there to enhance performance. In its most aggressive mode, called 'Qualify', the motor delivers up to 178 hp above 6,000 rpm, thanks to a new extra boost function. Just like the other special series cars, the Speciale goes on an extreme diet and gains a master's degree in aerodynamics. Weight has been trimmed by 132 lbs thanks to more carbon fiber bodywork, five-spoke wheels inspired by the F80, and titanium engine internals. The result is a dry weight just over 3,100 lbs. It also gets a host of track-focused aero upgrades, including side fins, an aggressive diffuser, and a reworked front end. All together, the car generates nearly 1,000 lbs of downforce at 155 mph. Ferrari says the suspension and brake cooling have also been reworked, and the engine sound has been sharpened thanks to new acoustic ducts. In person, the 296 Speciale looks more like a street-legal Challenge car than a tweaked GTB. The green Verde Nürburgring paint combined with the white livery could have been too much, but instead, it strikes a perfect balance. It's flashy in a way that still feels tasteful - the kind of spec that turns heads for all the right reasons. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Weekend Drive by Hormazd Sorabjee: Roars of approval
On the hallowed asphalt of Ferrari's Fiorano test track stands Enzo Ferrari's iconic red-and-white building, the backdrop to every new model to roll out of Maranello. But today, the car on display isn't new. It's proudly used, and that's the point. Ferrari Approved is the Italian brand's official pre-owned car programme. Ferrari Approved, the company's official pre-owned car programme, aims to make the dream of owning a Ferrari a little more reachable. New models are eye-wateringly expensive. But pre-owned is risky: The history is unknown, there might be hidden repairs, who knows if a car was trashed within an inch of its life before it was sold? That's where Ferrari Approved steps in. A used car is carefully certified and restored by the factory, giving buyers peace of mind that they're getting the authentic Ferrari experience. Every car goes through over 200 technical checks, from powertrain and electronics to bodywork and trim. Worn-out and non-original parts (even something as small as an aftermarket exhaust) are replaced with genuine Ferrari components, bringing each car as close to factory condition as possible. 'A Ferrari is a product that has been created to last forever,' says Andrea Scioletti, head of Ferrari Approved. And it shows: More than 90% of Ferraris ever built are still on the road. Each pre-owned car is brought as close to factory condition as possible. I got to sample three cars, each well-travelled but brimming with life. First, the 296 GTB, a hybrid V6 beauty with 13,000 km on the clock. Even on a damp Fiorano track, it felt agile, alive, and every bit as thrilling as new, with a soundtrack to match. Then came the SF90 Stradale. Despite over 28,000 km under its belt, its ferocious 1,000 hp hybrid powertrain launched it down the straights as if fresh from the factory. Finally, I drove a pre-owned Roma in a stunning blue. Out on the winding hills, it felt tight and refined. No rattles, no squeaks. Earlier Ferraris had a reputation online for sticky 'melting' buttons in hot climates, but this Roma's controls felt perfectly crisp and tactile. Every Ferrari Approved car comes with a factory-backed warranty: 24 months in Europe, the US, West Asia and China; 12 months in markets like India; plus 24-hour roadside assistance. Owners can also personalise their cars using official Ferrari accessories: Carbon-fibre trim, wheels, and other subtle touches. From powertrain and electronics to bodywork and trim, nothing escapes inspection. Ferrari's cleverest move? Fixing hybrid battery life. Older hybrid cars often suffer falling resale values due to ageing batteries. Ferrari Approved covers this with a special warranty, promising battery replacement at the 8th and 16th year of ownership, using the most advanced Ferrari battery tech available at the time. It's a promise that helps future-proof hybrid Ferraris for decades. The final piece of Ferrari Approved is its global dealer network, where factory-trained technicians ensure each car meets Maranello's standards, whether sold in Italy or India. But perhaps the biggest draw is emotional. As Scioletti says, Ferrari Approved is 'very often the way to enter the Ferrari community'. Because at the end of the day, a pre-owned Ferrari isn't second best, it's simply a more accessible way to live the dream. From HT Brunch, July 05, 2025 Follow us on
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ferrari Agrees: Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheel Buttons Were a Bad Idea
There's a new Ferrari in town, and it's called the Amalfi. Continuing the automaker's penchant for naming sports cars with Italian landmarks, the Amalfi, which is the successor to the Roma, brings evolutionary styling and upgraded tech to the base-level Ferrari model. However, its most welcome feature is something refreshingly simple: proper physical, tactile buttons on the steering wheel. With the Amalfi's arrival, Ferrari has officially backtracked on one of its most criticized decisions – its insistence on using touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. Introduced on models like the SF90 and Roma, the system aimed to enhance modernity and performance, but instead left many owners fumbling through menus mid-drive or accidentally activating features while on a spirited drive. Speaking to Top Gear, Ferrari marketing boss Enrico Galliera explained the company's reasoning behind the haptic controls, and its subsequent reversal. "Our philosophy is always 'hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.' But we were finding people were having too much time with their eyes also on the wheel. We listened to our customers," he admitted. He added that while touch controls may be faster on a smartphone, the experience in a moving supercar proved far less intuitive. Galliera also acknowledged that Ferrari's HMI (human-machine interface) "was probably too advanced and not 100 percent perfect in use." The touch interface had been developed in pursuit of performance and speed, mirroring the ultra-fast SF90's hybrid system, but ultimately didn't match the needs of drivers in the real world. Now, Ferrari is "re-balancing, not changing" its design strategy. Design chief Flavio Manzoni seconded the move. "Beauty is simplicity," he told Top Gear, reinforcing the notion that elegance and usability can – and should – coexist in a Ferrari. Best of all, the tactile steering wheel buttons are not a feature locked to the new Amalfi. According to Ferrari's product development chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi, several existing models - including the 296 GTB, Purosangue, SF90, and 12Cilindri - can be retrofitted with the new steering wheel setup. "Yes, you can have it," Fulgenzi told Top Gear. "We don't even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the center." The retrofit can be performed at any Ferrari dealer, and after a short test drive to verify calibration, drivers are good to go. It's a rare move for a brand like Ferrari to admit fault so directly, but one that's bound to earn goodwill from customers who've long wanted the brand's supercars to get back to just being great to drive. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Top Gear
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Ferrari will retro-fit its spoiled supercars with new steering wheel buttons
Ferrari will retro-fit its spoiled supercars with new steering wheel buttons Best mod ever set to make 296 and 12Cilindri more excellent, and SF90 actually driveable Skip 17 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 17 The very best thing about the new Ferrari Amalfi is… its steering wheel. Gone are the touch-sensitive controls which were so annoying, Ferrari latterly switched them off if you didn't touch them for ten seconds, to stop drivers accidentally scrolling menus and activating cruise control while trying to enjoy a corner. That should've been a clue. But you don't have to buy an Amalfi to go back to buttons. The same common sense is now available to most recent Ferraris. As well as confirming the next batch of future Ferrari cars will also have the physical button wheel, product development boss Gianmaria Fulgenzi has told owners of existing cars can get the same clicky-button upgrade. Advertisement - Page continues below 'Yes, you can have it,' said Fulgenzi when we asked him if the new old-skool wheel was compatible with the likes of the 296 GTB, Purosangue, SF90 and 12Cilindri. 'We don't even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the centre [boss],' he added. Fulgenzi also said owners who want this upgrade (that'll be, um, everyone) won't have to ship their car all the way back to Italy. Any local Ferrari dealer will be able to carry out the operation. 'Then we just do a short test drive to confirm all calibration is okay.' Easy! Explaining the decision to go back to buttons, Ferrari's marketing boss Enrico Galliera told TG: 'Our philosophy is always 'hands on the wheel, eyes on the roads. But we were finding people were having too much time with their eyes also on the road. We listened to our customers.' Going further, he explained why Ferrari even bothered with the touch-sensitive nonsense in the first place. 'When we were designing the SF90, we set out to create the most high-performing Ferrari.' Galliera explained that meant everything – not just the 986bhp hybrid drivetrain – had to make things happen as fast as possible. Ferrari design chief Flavio Manzoni also commented that 'beauty is simplicity". He's a noted fan of minimalist controls. Advertisement - Page continues below But Galliera conceded: 'When you are using a touchscreen phone, you are much faster. But we recognise that when you are also driving, too often it was hands on the wheel, but also eyes on the wheel.' Galliera also said the interior HMI (human media interface) was 'probably too advanced and not 100 per cent perfect in use. We're re-balancing, not changing our strategy'. We could get all 'told you so' here. But… we won't. Because we're just relieved Ferrari has decided its brilliant supercars don't deserve to be spoiled with naff infotainment controls that turn every drive into an irritation. Grazie regazzi. What next? iDrive clickwheels remaining in BMWs? Knurled knobs returning to Audis? Teslas with gear selector stalks? We can dream – let's start a comments section wish-list. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
