296 VS

Do your dealers receive additional quotes or will it remain at the average of ~8 Apertas per dealer?

 

White wheels are perfect on this car

 

Aperta always more special - limited collectible.
I don't think Ferrari would make a VS with a Challenge / Hybrid livery, only to make another version.

 

Source: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2026-ferrari-296-speciale-first-drive-review
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Did anyone find pictures of the silver/white pace car (pretty sure speciale) that the reviewers are following around Fiorano.

This is my spec ordered (with number 23 instead of 25 as my racing number)
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I'm sure that 296 GTS owners who only got allocated a VS coupe will think twice if a XX is coming.

I know, I am

 

I was 50:50 before the media drives on skipping lift to get the multimatic suspension, I’m now sure that’s what I want to do. I want a big difference to my GTB & GTS (non-AF) to make the extra $$$ worth it!

I never had carbon rims before - can anyone talk me in or out of it - is there a notable dynamic difference between those and the forged? are they fragile?

My driving will be 99% street (super smooth good roads - no pot holes, not many road humps, never curbed any of my wheels - but to be honest on pretty bland mostly straight roads lol) with maybe 2-3 track sessions per year.

 

I have the AF 296 GTB. The multimatics are amazing on tight twisty roads. They are also still quite good on bumpy roads also. Im ordering our Speciale with no lift for sure as I feel it would be a backward step for AF owners. Took our car for a drive this morning after watching some of the video reviews. The extra noise seems very marginal.

 

good to hear. I had driven an AF car once on a very bumpy road and i was very surprised by how harsh and crashy the suspension was. That was a whopping 10 seconds over the bumpy road as the rest of the drive was fine on good roads. so not much of a data point but it has stuck with me. I thought they were going to offer lift with the multimatics now but maybe for the 296 that is not the case. I really need to do a another test drive of a AF car

 

I have both 296 GTB and GTS with CF wheels and forged respectively. I've driven all combinations of A/F CF GTB GTS through the dealer track experience and
there is significant difference in handling/braking/acceleration; the car does feel lighter.

CF wheels are beautiful. They do get a little dusty after a long drive though (I think there's static or something on the resin that picks up dust more?)

I have 7000 miles in with about 4 track days, haven't had any issues going over pot holes and speed bumps but anything that chips at the wheel from the side like curbs is going to be a painful repair especially with lack of specialists in my region.

On the track, make absolutely sure you cool your brakes before you pit so the resin is not cooking.

 

The Aperta will gain in value, and the 296 Speciale coupe will likely follow a similar trajectory to the 458 Speciale and 488 Pista. Initially, it will be slightly below list price, but in the long run, it will rise. The design of the 296 Speciale is truly impressive, and whether there will be an XX is highly speculative. I think there will be something along the lines of a 296 track version, but it won't be limited. Ferrari needs to ensure that they generate good profit with certain models.

 

When the 458 Speciale debuted, the first round of reviews all said it’s a nice improvement over the 458 Italia, but not that special, not really worth it if you already own an Italia. Over time that tune changed. All those little changes added up. I suspect the same will be true here. We won’t be able to really judge if this car belongs in the same league with the 458 Speciale for a while, because it takes time to discern if something is destined to become a legend. But in terms of what it is over and above the standard car, what did anyone expect. I would have guessed +8% in every direction. The fact that reviewers are saying it’s basically double that tells me this car will indeed be mega, because the standard 296 is the best driving mid engine Ferrari I’ve ever experienced.

Who knows what other version they might or might not do. XX model? No one said XX exactly, they just said an even more hardcore focused version….

While Ferrari is looking to make money, I don’t think they are looking to burn those who just bought their latest special series model, that would be foolish. They are anything but foolish.

 

Furthermore, an XX model will be priced significantly higher than the 296 Speciale based on its name alone. This means that if the model costs 600-700 K without your spec, it's back on the level of the SF90XX, which is in a different league.
The main problem is that we're currently in a declining market, and that will change again. Phases like this have happened before and will continue to happen again. Take a look at the Purosangue market demand has dropped dramatically in the last few weeks, and as a result, prices have plummeted there as well, even though it has an NA V12. Same like 812 GTS or other cars.

 

So well written. I completely agree on 458 Speciale. I didn’t find it a massive improvement over the standard car but the little improvements everywhere absolutely made it worth the premium. We are living in irrational times regarding these hybrids from a secondary market perspective. I could even see this car getting hit pretty hard in the secondary market at first. But I have to assume if it’s an improvement on the 296 in measurable ways that it’s incredible.

 

We have to look at where the new car comes from. The 458 Speciale we the evolution of the 458, which was already cutting edge, and what they learned in 3 years time was applied to the Speciale. Same here. The base is so good, as everyone says, it is hard to see what they can improve. Sounds like Ferrari did just that, as the car is usable as a supercar, and faster and more agile, with frills we expect on a VS. I don’t know that game changing is an aspiration anymore, as power has reached its peak and subtleties will be the improvements.

 

I think game changing is possible, but it requires something wild. I think the ZR1X is a game changer. Because of price for which you get its performance and the audacity of its powertrain. This is, perhaps not, but it will be amazing.

 

Sure, I mean more in the context of the cars we have here. I’m not sure what game changing for a 296 could be, besides removing 1000lbs and adding a 6 speed….but in reality, it’s marginal gains.

 

You read my mind. I also recall the original reviews of the Speciale weren’t very special. I also recall that they stated the engine sound was quieter. People complained about the body work changes- fussy, etc. It takes years for most great cars to be appreciated for what they really are and represent. The 296 is phenomenal. In time- its greatness will be recognized. It’s just so much better than all the preceding 8 cylinder cars.

 

Ferrari will primarily make money, and that works best when people buy standard models because they want a limited Ferrari. But now that Ferrari has built too many cars, customers want the more valuable cars like the SP3 and the Competizione. Ultimately, it's not about hybrid or not hybrid, but about supply and demand. The 296 Speciale has the potential to become very iconic. It's small number car, one of the few cars that sounds decent, and you get breathtaking performance, too.

A potential 296 Track version will surely win over all 296 Speciale and Speciale A customers.

 

Perfect articulation of my thoughts.

I watched these videos and read these articles and want the car even more now. I went from a ten to an eleven.

 

You will get Coupé or Aperta or Piloti?

 

short video but he was really excited about the car.

 

Yep he was quite excited. Funny to have spun it and then advertised it.

all the reviews are very positive. One thing that stood out where multiple reviewers said that it is a 296GTB ++. What else were they expecting? These special series cars are supposed to be just that and based on what i have heard sonfar from the reviews ferrari has nailed it. I think they are incorrectly comparing it with the XX and GT3RS which are more hard core track ( dont directly saybit but implying it based on saying hard core track car). . I would have said 991.2 gt3rs i can understand but with the 992gt3rs it should not be compared. Also another factor which was clear from reviews was that some did their reviews ona wet damn day while the others had clear dry roads for both road reviews and fiorano. I do want to see chris harris and jethro reviews. If there is a hard core track car that comes i cant wait but not holding my breath. Enjoy what is available. Folks that get caught up on waiting will miss out on the experience.

 

I say Shmee, Chris and jethro will test the Speciale Aperta.

 

The person obviously has more faith in the latest tech, as does Ferrari.