The sun is setting over the Tyrrhenian Sea as a low, aggressive silhouette carves through the curves of the Amalfi Coast road. The sound is unmistakable. A high-revving V6 wail echoes off the cliffs, blending with the crash of waves below. This is the Ferrari 296 Speciale Aperta, the most focused open-top Ferrari since the 458 Speciale Aperta, and it is a car that proves the hybrid supercar can still deliver raw, unfiltered emotion.
The 296 Speciale Aperta is Ferrari’s latest limited-production special series model. It follows in the footsteps of the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista, and it carries the same mission: deliver driving engagement as well as performance. Available as both a coupe and an open-top Aperta, it is designed to be faster, sharper, and louder than the 296 GTB on which it is based. The Aperta is the open-air expression of that philosophy, a car that sacrifices nothing in performance while adding the sensory thrill of driving without a roof.
The Powertrain: A Hybrid Pushed to Its Limits
The heart of the Speciale Aperta is a heavily revised version of the 3.0-liter 120-degree twin-turbo V6 that powers the standard 296. The internal combustion engine alone now produces 700 horsepower, an increase of 37 horsepower over the 296 GTS. This was achieved through a combination of technologies, including titanium connecting rods, a lightened crankshaft, revised boost management, and new knock control software. The engine is 9 kilograms lighter than the standard unit, thanks to a lighter crank, block, and crankcase.
The electric motor, mounted between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, adds up to 180 horsepower, bringing the total system output to 880 horsepower (868 bhp). This makes the 296 Speciale the most powerful rear-wheel-drive Ferrari ever built.
The performance figures are extraordinary. The Speciale Aperta accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). The 0 to 200 km/h sprint takes 7 seconds. The car can travel up to 25 kilometers on electric power alone in eDrive mode.
Weight Reduction: 80 Kilograms Saved
The Speciale Aperta weighs 50 kilograms less than the 296 GTS, tipping the scales at 1,490 kg dry, while the coupe weighs 1,410 kg. The weight savings come from a combination of measures: carbon fiber body panels, titanium engine components, a stripped-back interior, and an optional titanium exhaust.
The interior features carbon fiber door cards, lightweight bucket seats, and Alcantara upholstery. The overall effect is purposeful and minimal, a reminder that this car is built for driving, not for luxury.
Aerodynamics: 20 Percent More Downforce
The Speciale Aperta’s aerodynamic package is a significant evolution of the 296 GTS. It generates 435 kilograms of downforce at 250 km/h, a 20 percent increase over the standard car.
The front end features a new splitter and an S-duct-style intake that channels air through the hood. The rear features a new active spoiler flanked by winglets, and a redesigned diffuser inspired by the 296 Challenge and GT3 race cars. The result is a car that is planted at speed, stable under braking, and composed through high-speed corners.
Chassis and Dynamics: Track-Ready Precision
The Speciale Aperta’s chassis has been refined for track use. The car sits 5 millimeters lower than the 296 GTS, reducing body roll by 13 percent during cornering. The suspension uses titanium springs and Multimatic dampers derived from the 296 GT3 race car, providing exceptional body control and feedback.
The braking system has been upgraded with ABS Evo, which improves braking precision and repeatability on all surfaces. The car can brake from 200 km/h to a standstill in just 106 meters.
The speciale’s new torque delivery software boosts acceleration during upshifts for punchier gear changes. The exhaust note benefits from a more free-flowing system, and new ducts pump real engine noise into the cabin.
The Aperta Experience: Open-Air Thrills
The Aperta version of the 296 Speciale adds a retractable hardtop that opens or closes in 14 seconds. The open-top experience adds a new dimension to the driving experience, allowing the driver to hear the V6 engine more clearly and feel the wind rush past.
The Aperta is not a car for everyone. It is expensive, with a starting price of €462,000 in Italy. But it represents a significant moment in Ferrari’s history. It is the first open-top special series Ferrari since the 458 Speciale Aperta, and it proves that Ferrari can still build a car that delivers pure, unfiltered driving pleasure, even with a hybrid powertrain.
The Amalfi Evening
The Speciale Aperta has completed its drive along the coast. Its V6 hybrid powertrain has delivered the 880 horsepower that makes it the most powerful rear-wheel-drive Ferrari ever built. The active aerodynamics and Multimatic suspension have kept it planted through the curves. The driver, cocooned in the carbon fiber interior, has experienced a level of performance that is as thrilling as it is engaging.
The 296 Speciale Aperta is not a facelift. It is a revolution. It is a car that proves the hybrid supercar can still deliver raw, unfiltered emotion. The open-air hybrid has arrived. And it has never been better.
