new-ferrari-296-speciale-revealed-lightweight-supercar-gets-868bhp

Coupe

One of the world’s most famous brands and an integral part of the Formula 1 grid since the first championship in 1950, Ferrari fully lives up to its exalted reputation, producing some of the best sports cars money can buy.

Its entry-level model (although that term hardly seems appropriate) is the Portofino convertible, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 and capable of blasting from 0-62mph in 3.5sec.

Then further up the range you find the mid-engined 488s, in coupé and Spider forms, and two GT cars: the GTC4 Lusso and the appropriately named 812 Superfast, a V12 monster that can hit 211mph.

FERRARI

296 GTB

On sale Early 2026 Price from £350,000 (est)The Ferrari 296 Speciale is aptly named, not just because it’s even punchier than the regular 296 GTB supercar – but also because it'll be rather difficult to get your hands on.This new version of the 296 GTB promises to be lighter, brawnier and, according to Ferrari, the most fun car the Italian firm has ever produced. Indeed, the 296 Speciale gets an extra 49bhp for a total output of 868bhp from its V6 hybrid system, and it’ll be available in both coupé and spider (convertible) form.

The 296 Speciale’s 3.0-litre petrol engine has borrowed some tech from Ferrari’s 1184bhp F80 hypercar, allowing the engine to pump out 690bhp on its own, and a revised hybrid system adds an extra 178bhp.Combined with the fact that the new variant is 60kg lighter than the regular model, this should make for a very enjoyable drive, to say the least – although the difference in weight might translate better onto the coupé than the spider, given the extra roof mechanism.

You also sit 5mm lower in the 296 Speciale than in the regular car – a feature that might please buyers who love that F1-car feel. Ferrari also claims that there’s a reduction in body lean going into corners, both of which should increase the 296’s agility event further.Outside, the 296 Speciale gets a redesigned rear end inspired by the hardcore 296 Challenge and GT3 models, with two additional winglets and a small spoiler rising from the back.

Inside, lighter seats represent a 5kg saving over the regular car, and the steering wheel gets new physical buttons instead of the touch-sensitive controls on the regular model. There’s also some additional carbon fibre on the door panels.The Ferrari 296 Speciale is due to arrive early next year, and it’ll set buyers back a cool £350,000. The 296 Speciale won’t be limited by numbers, Ferrari has said, but by production time, and only clients who have recently purchased a new or approved-used Ferrari in the last five years will be able to get their hands on one.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2 dir="ltr">Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/sports-cars/n24412">Best sports cars</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

On sale Early 2026 Price from £350,000 (est)The Ferrari 296 Speciale is aptly named, not just because it’s even punchier than the regular 296 GTB supercar – but also because it'll be rather difficult to get your hands on.

This new version of the 296 GTB promises to be lighter, brawnier and, according to Ferrari, the most fun car the Italian firm has ever produced. Indeed, the 296 Speciale gets an extra 49bhp for a total output of 868bhp from its V6 hybrid system, and it’ll be available in both coupé and spider (convertible) form.

You also sit 5mm lower in the 296 Speciale than in the regular car – a feature that might please buyers who love that F1-car feel. Ferrari also claims that there’s a reduction in body lean going into corners, both of which should increase the 296’s agility event further.

Outside, the 296 Speciale gets a redesigned rear end inspired by the hardcore 296 Challenge and GT3 models, with two additional winglets and a small spoiler rising from the back.

Inside, lighter seats represent a 5kg saving over the regular car, and the steering wheel gets new physical buttons instead of the touch-sensitive controls on the regular model. There’s also some additional carbon fibre on the door panels.The Ferrari 296 Speciale is due to arrive early next year, and it’ll set buyers back a cool £350,000. The 296 Speciale won’t be limited by numbers, Ferrari has said, but by production time, and only clients who have recently purchased a new or approved-used Ferrari in the last five years will be able to get their hands on one.

<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h2 dir="ltr">Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/sports-cars/n24412">Best sports cars</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

New Ferrari 296 Speciale revealed: lightweight supercar gets 868bhp

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

Sports

The newest variant of Ferrari’s 296 supercar is 60kg lighter and 49bhp punchier than the regular model

New Ferrari 296 Speciale revealed: lightweight supercar gets 868bhp        

Alpine (pronounced 'Al-peen') only makes one model, but if you’re in the market for a sports car, this French brand is worthy of your attention.

Its A110 is one of the best-handling cars on sale today. And while it’s not especially powerful, it’s still properly quick, thanks to its low weight.

The looks and character of today’s A110 were inspired by a legendary namesake that won the first ever World Rally Championship back in 1973. But the new car is undoubtedly a worthy successor.

ALPINE

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB12 is a very fast and very luxurious long distance cruiser, and the DBS is arguably one of the most glamorous cars around.

Proving it's not afraid to move with the times, Aston has also embraced&nbsp;the march of the SUV; its DBX707 is a stunning example of what's possible when building a fast, expensive and sporty SUV.

ASTON MARTIN

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and sonorous V8 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur&nbsp;saloon&nbsp;and the Continental GT coupé and convertible.

BENTLEY

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Alpina has produced high-performance versions of BMW's range since the 1960s, and is now considered to be a manufacturer in its own right.

Whilst it cars are typically fast, and are often considered alternatives to BMW's M models, they are typically more comfortable with engines that provide a more relaxed power delivery.

Its models have similar naming conventions to the equivalent BMW: the B3 is based on the BMW 3 Series and the B4 Gran Coupé started life as a 4 Series Gran Coupé, for example.

BMW ALPINA

Volkswagen owns several hugely desirable brands, including Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche, but Bugatti is the most exclusive of them all.

For many years, its Veyron hypercar was famous for being the fastest road car of them all, with a top speed of 254mph. Meanwhile, the Chiron that succeeded it has moved things on again, and the fastest versions are capable of more than 300mph.

If you’re after the ultimate – and have almost unlimited funds to play with – this is it.

BUGATTI

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the similarly rapid Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

LAMBORGHINI

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

To many, McLaren will always be best known for its motorsport activities, but it also has a growing range of high-performance cars designed to challenge the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

Most McLaren models share two key components: a central tub made out of carbonfibre and a powerful V8 petrol engine. And with cars ranging from the entry-level 540C to the hardcore (but still road legal) Senna, McLaren cars rival everything from the Jaguar F-Type to the Porsche 911 and Ferrari’s 488 Pista.

MCLAREN

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Polestar is a relative newcomer to the new car market, having been born as a motorsport team later bought by Volvo. Today it produces a range of upmarket, fully-electric vehicles and as a brand now sits independently of Volvo.

Its models are given numerical names, and unusually these don’t denote the size of the model, rather they indicate the order in which they’re launched. The now-discontinued Polestar 1 was the firm’s first model and the Polestar 2 is an executive hatchback which is a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, Polestar 4 a coupé and Polestar 5 a performance car.

Polestar has a focus on sustainability: in 2020 was the first car maker to release a study to show the carbon footprint of its cars, and in 2021 it started a project to ensure rare-Earth materials such as cobalt – used in many electric car batteries – are sourced responsibly.

POLESTAR

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

812 SUPERFAST

GTC4 LUSSO

What you’re looking at is arguably the most important road car to come out of Maranello in decades. Called the Ferrari 296 GTB, it marks the moment the brand’s electrification strategy, honed in Formula One, makes its way into a mainstream supercar. Think of it, if you will, as a Ferrari for the Drive to Survive generation.

Indeed, for many buyers, it must be an alluring prospect to be able to watch Charles Leclerc battle his way to a win in his hybridised, V6-engined Ferrari SF-23&nbsp;then spend the evening driving your very own electrically boosted, V6-engined 296 GTB road car. As they used to say back in the Sixties, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday”.&nbsp;

But what does all that mean for time-honoured Ferrari enthusiasts? After all, the engine is traditionally the heart and soul of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ferrari">Ferrari</a> road car, with founder Enzo Ferrari once stating: “I build engines and attach wheels to them.”

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dF1CbiogUzo?si=qAi0MSOf-zwAhyt5" width="560"></iframe>

So surely, after decades of producing soulful V8-engined Berlinettas, a move to a more compact, electrically-assisted <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) V6 will only serve to diminish some of that Ferrari magic.&nbsp;

Well, we’ll find out shortly.&nbsp;

One thing’s for sure, though – if ‘The Old Man’ were alive today, we reckon he’d have a hard time not being impressed by the 296 GTB’s official power&nbsp;output of 819bhp – a whopping 109bhp more than its V8-engined predecessor, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ferrari/f8-tributo/sports/review/n164">Ferrari F8 Tributo</a>.

We also suspect he’d be a fan of how the 296 GTB looks, because despite being packed with cutting-edge tech, it shares a number of design cues with the dainty 250 LM of the Sixties. Hence our press car’s Maranello Concessionaires GB livery.

When it comes to rivals, the 296 GTB has a broad cross-section of competitors, ranging from the PHEV&nbsp;McLaren Artura to the distinctly old-school <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/huracan/coupe/review/n17163">Lamborghini Huracán</a> Tecnica. And because it can be had with a track-focused handling package, called the Fiorano Performance Pack, it is also in direct competition with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n17328">Porsche 911 GT3</a> RS.&nbsp;

At this point, it’s worth us pointing out that while you're unlikely to get discounts on a supercar like this, we can help you find the best prices on most makes and models if you search our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals pages</a>. They're a good place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/sports">new sports car deals</a>.

Plug-in hybrid supercar is an incredible piece of engineering – but also a very, very expensive one

NEW REVIEWS:

New Ferrari 296 Speciale revealed: lightweight supercar gets 868bhp

The newest variant of Ferrari’s 296 supercar is 60kg lighter and 49bhp punchier than the regular model...

Read more: Best sports cars >>

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