The headlines deal with one quantity: With a thumping 648kW beneath your proper foot with the manettino on the steering wheel switched to Qualify mode, the Ferrari 296 Speciale is probably the most highly effective rear-wheel drive automobile Maranello has ever constructed.
Not even the 12 Cilindri, with its mighty 6.5-litre V12 that screams to 9500rpm, outpowers the brand new efficiency model of Ferrari’s entry-level mid-engine supercar.
How? The 296 Speciale’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain structure is unchanged from that of the common 296 GTB coupe and GTS convertible, however the 3.0-litre, 120-degree V6 at its core now produces 515kW of energy at 8000rpm and 755Nm of torque at 6000rpm, marking will increase of 27kW and 20Nm, respectively.
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The e-motor mounted between the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission now produces 132kW, a 10kW improve. Its torque stays unchanged at 315Nm.
The elevated electrical energy is the results of optimising the dual-rotor, central-stator, axial flux e-motor’s working and cooling methods. The additional grunt from the twin-turbo inside combustion engine is the results of a seven per cent improve in increase stress, made doable by a System 1-inspired combustion technique that enables the engine to run proper on the knock restrict, and infrequently simply past it, when beneath most load.
That headline is spectacular, however it doesn’t inform the total story. Although it doesn’t appear to bristle with the overt racing {hardware} of, say, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the 296 Speciale has been developed with the cautious consideration to element of an organization that owns its personal System 1 workforce.
Powertrain engineer Raul Dautry, who as soon as labored on F1 engines for Renault, says probably the most difficult a part of the 296 Speciale’s powertrain improvement program was lowering its weight.
The engine has the identical titanium connecting rods as used within the F80 hypercar model of the V6, that are 35 per cent lighter than the metal gadgets used within the common 296. The nitrided metal crankshaft has additionally been lightened, lowering the general weight of the main rotating lots within the engine by 2.2kg, which additionally improves throttle response.
Following the identical course of used to organize the 296-based V6 used within the Le Mans-winning Ferrari 499P, extra metallic was faraway from the aluminum block and crankcase, saving an extra 1.2kg. Changing the engine’s metal screws and stud bolts with titanium gadgets saved a shocking 1.9kg, and every turbo was lightened by 1.2kg.
In all, virtually 10kg was trimmed from the powertrain, accounting for 15 per cent of the Speciale’s 60kg weight discount in contrast with the common 296.
Extra energy and fewer weight means elevated efficiency. Ferrari claims a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of two.8 seconds. Based mostly on unbiased testing abroad of the 296 GTB Asetto Fiorano, that could be conservative. However what’s extra essential is the 296 Speciale will even be faster via corners, not simply between them.
As with the powertrain, the 296 Speciale’s chassis and suspension structure is basically the identical as that of the common 296. Among the many modifications are the fitment of Multimatic adjustable shocks derived from these used on the 296 GT3 race automobile and stiffer, lighter titanium springs that assist cut back the utmost roll angle by 13 per cent. The experience peak has been dropped 5mm, reducing the centre of gravity.
Ferrari automobile dynamics engineer Andrea Giacomini says the intention of the chassis tweaks was to extend mechanical grip, particularly in decrease velocity corners. He says the 296 Speciale is able to 4 per cent larger lateral acceleration than the common 296.
Engineers additionally needed to reinforce the basic agility of the comparatively brief wheelbase chassis whereas making certain a excessive diploma of consistency within the automobile’s dynamic responses. To try this, they targeted on the entrance axle, utilizing Ferrari’s refined six-axis automobile dynamics sensor to exactly calculate the grip ranges of the entrance tyres.
These values decide how the SSC 9.0 dynamic management system adjusts the responses of the traction management, stability management, e-Diff, and ABS Evo digital brake management to maintain the tail finish of the automobile beneath management.
The SSC 9.0 system additionally seamlessly integrates the affect of the 296 Speciale’s varied aerodynamic techniques into the general dynamic combine.
In contrast with the common 296, probably the most noticeable aero modifications are on the rear of the automobile, within the form of two winglets that rise from the bodyside behind the rear wheels and kink excessive of the rear fenders. Their vertical fins optimise wake administration to cut back drag, whereas the profile of the horizontal floor generates downforce.
The wings additionally work together with the cooling air movement from the rear radiators, enhancing their effectivity, and help the lively spoiler that rises vertically between them from the trailing fringe of the rear bodywork.
Derived from that used on the 296 GTB, the spoiler has a totally revised actuator administration technique that speeds the transition to its excessive downforce and permits a medium downforce configuration to enhance rear-end stability at excessive speeds.
Additionally on the rear is a brand new diffuser, and the vortex mills on the rear undertray have been optimised to separate the air movement between the centre and the lateral venturis to extend rear downforce and make sure the appropriate aerodynamic steadiness of the automobile in all rear spoiler configurations.
Up entrance is an aero damper system that channels air from the redesigned entrance undertray to the higher physique simply forward of the windscreen to enhance the effectivity of the undertray’s vortex mills. The system additionally will increase the extent of downforce performing on the entrance wheels, making certain it stays fixed even because the entrance experience peak modifications throughout acceleration and braking.
Both facet of the aero damper vent, built-in into the carbon construction that locates it on the hood, are louvers that vent excessive stress air from the entrance wheel wells.
Ferrari claims the 296 Speciale generates 20 per cent extra in downforce than the common 296, peaking at 435kg at 250km/h.
Aerodynamics engineer Salvatore Sedda says 70 per cent of the event workforce’s effort was targeted on rising entrance axle downforce. This, mixed with the modifications designed to enhance the front-end’s mechanical grip, suggests the 296 Speciale will likely be a hyper-alert driver’s automobile.
Certainly, Ferrari product improvement chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi says that on road-legal Michelin Cup 2 tyres, the 296 Speciale is 2.5 seconds faster round Ferrari’s Fiorano check monitor than the common 296, and can have the ability to lap any racetrack at greater than 80 per cent the tempo of the track-only 296 Problem race automobile.
Visually, the 296 Speciale doesn’t look all that dramatic a step change from the common 296. Apart from the rigorously built-in aero {hardware} and a reprofiled bonnet, the automobile encompasses a black roof that Ferrari design chief Flavio Manzoni says transforms the cabin right into a cockpit.
Different visible modifications embody a revised rear graphic between the tail-lights, a extra scalloped bonnet, a darkish engine cowl, and a novel solid alloy wheel. Inside is plenty of uncovered carbon-fibre and Alcantara, with uncovered fasteners and light-weight seats which can be 5kg every lighter than the usual gadgets.
The 296 Speciale additionally debuts a brand new exterior paint color within the Ferrari palette, Verde Nürburgring, a punchy metallic inexperienced.
And a convertible model, dubbed the 296 Speciale A (for aperta, which implies open in Italian), and mentioned to weigh simply 50kg greater than the coupe, will even be out there when the automobile goes on sale in Australia.
Gianmaria Fulgenzi insists the 296 Speciale is a highway automobile, not a race automobile.
“The automobile is kind of a rocket,” he mentioned. “It’s designed to have unbelievable efficiency on monitor, but additionally for use on regular roads.
“It has a steadiness of efficiency. It’s not excessive. It’s a automobile that’s meant for use; a automobile that received’t destroy your neck or your again. It will likely be probably the most enjoyable [to drive] automobile in the marketplace.”
We will’t wait to seek out out if he’s proper.
