KUALA LUMPUR: Ferrari in Malaysia, via official distributor Ital Auto Malaysia, has officially launched the potent 296 Speciale and 296 Speciale A.
Touted as a new benchmark over the 296 GTB, the Speciale looks to thrill owners through heightened driver engagement, added grunt, 20% more downforce, lighter weight, new suspension tune, and an extra boost strategy.
The mid-rear-engined plug-in hybrid berlinetta (Italian for sports coupe) starts from RM4,288,000 (including import duties, excluding options, registration and insurance).
To feel the wind in one's hair, then opt for the drop-top Speciale A, which is similarly priced from RM4,888,000.
During the launch, the Speciale was presented in a newly developed Verde (green) Nurburgring that's accompanied by twin racing stripes and as a bonus, discerning customers will be able to choose their "race number" ranging from 00 to 99.
For peace of mind, the Speciale is offered with an extended seven-year maintenance programme that covers all 20,000km/one year (without mileage restriction) routine maintenance for the period.
The Speciale bears a strong resemblance to the 296 GTB, with a 2,600mm wheelbase.
It is also identical in size, measuring 4,625mm in length, 1,968mm in width, and 1,181mm in height.
Inside, the cabin seems more spartan than standard 296 GTB, but this has been purposefully done for the sake of weight savings, while emphasising the usage of carbon fibre, aluminium and Alcantara, in order to create a race-focused ambience.
Just behind the two-seater cabin resides a 3.0-litre (2,992cc) twin-turbo 120-degree V6 engine that red-lines at 8,500rpm and feeds from a 65-litre fuel tank.
The engine, which is about 9kg lighter, from the 296 Challenge, punches out 700PS (+37PS) at 8,000rpm and 755Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.
Meanwhile, a 7.42kWh lithium-ion battery powers an electric motor that produces 113kW (154PS) and 315Nm of torque but when in boost mode, performance rises to 180PS from 6,000 to 8,500rpm.
If in eDrive mode, the Speciale is able to travel up to 25km silently, up to a top speed of 135kph.
Switching from eDrive via the eManettino dial on the steering wheel, drivers also have other options such as Hybrid, Performance and Qualify.
When the two motors come together, the Speciale's total system output rises to 880PS (648kW) - that's 50PS more than the 296 GTB, and it all gets sent to the rear 20-inch wheels with 305/35 Michelin PilotSport Cup2 tyres via an eight-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission.
For front grip, the 20-inch wheels with 245/35 tyres are used for a staggered setup, and these tyres have been specially developed for the Speciale.
The full efforts of the engine and electric motor allow this 1,410kg (dry weight) berlinetta that's now 60kg lighter compared to the 296 GTB, to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of more than 330kph.
Stopping power comes from front 398mm and rear 360mm carbon ceramic discs is capable of slowing the Speciale from 200kph to a neck-wrenching complete stop in a distance of 106m.
To keep itself stuck to the road, the revised aerodynamics can generate 435kg of downforce – 20% more than the standard 296 GTB, while speeding along at a brisk 250kph.
This is achieved through the inclusion of an aero damper integrated into the front hood, vertical fins on the rear bumper, side wings, and an active rear spoiler that works 50% quicker when adjusting between Low and High drag modes.
Additionally, a new Medium Downforce configuration has been added to improve rear-end stability while also riding 5mm lower with 13% less roll-angle than the GTB, when driving at the limits.
For added control, the Speciale has been gifted with SSC9.0 (Side Slip Control), traction control, an electronic differential, and a semi-active suspension system (SCM) or magnetorheologically controlled suspension.
Also included are the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) 2.0 that's currently used by the SF90 Stradale, electronic power steering, anti-lock braking system (ABS) Evo and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) "all range-all grip" with extra boost energy recovery.
