Maranello — Move over, sunscreen. The newest threat to your scalp is a roofless Ferrari with 880 horses and a serious penchant for physics-defying cornering. Meet the Ferrari 296 Speciale A — the open-top hybrid missile that puts the “special” in Speciale and the “air” in en plein air.
Positioned squarely in Ferrari’s hall of fame for spine-tingling spiders (cue the 458 Speciale A and 488 Pista Spider), the 296 Speciale A isn’t just about looks, livery, or lung-shaking sound. It’s a masterclass in maximum everything — power, agility, drama, downforce, and likely, price.
This Isn’t Your Average Aperta
Underneath that retractable hardtop (RHT) lies a 120° twin-turbo V6 mated to a beefed-up electric motor — the hybrid pairing now churns out 880 cv. That’s 50 more than the already potent 296 GTS. In layman’s terms: Ferrari handed its engineers some espresso and said, “Make it louder, faster, and even more Italian.”
And they did. The car shaves 50 kg off its predecessor using race-derived carbon fibre and titanium bits lighter than your trust fund after options. All that trimming gives the Speciale A a staggering power-to-weight ratio of 1.69 kg/cv, which is essentially Ferrari screaming, “Physics is optional!”
Aero, Aggro, and Absolutely Bonkers
Ferrari clearly raided its Challenge Cup parts bin and raided it well. The Speciale A generates 435 kg of downforce at 250 km/h with the roof up. That’s 20% more than the GTS, thanks to clever aero tricks: an “aero damper” from the 296 Challenge, active spoilers with faster reflexes than your cat, and rear fins sharp enough to shave parmesan.
Even the acoustic ducts were doubled — because nothing says open-air bliss like a mechanical opera echoing from a V6 tuned like a Stradivarius strapped to a rocket.
Tech That Thinks Faster Than You Do
The Speciale A comes with a veritable buffet of modes: eDrive (silent assassin), Hybrid (balanced), Performance (angry), and Qualify (hold on to your rosary beads). There’s even an extra boost mode, which lets you launch out of corners like you’ve just been rear-ended by a lightning bolt.
The electric motor? Now up to 180 cv. The gearbox? Reprogrammed for near-telepathic shifts. The suspension? Tuned lower and stiffer with Multimatic® dampers from GT3 racing, because luxury is overrated when you’re chasing apexes.
Designed to Mesmerise, Engineered to Terrify
Visually, the 296 Speciale A remains a poster car — with or without its roof. Ferrari’s design team kept the aggression high and the buffeting low, with flowing lines, sculpted wings, and more scoops than an Italian gelateria. Optional stripes and racing numbers complete the track-day cosplay.
Inside, it’s all business — carbon fibre, Alcantara, no-nonsense toggle switches, and a sense of occasion stronger than espresso in Naples. Even the door handles are fashioned from carbon like they’re too fancy for fingerprints.
The Verdict?
Ferrari hasn’t just built a convertible — it’s built a wind-whipped weapon of mass seduction. The 296 Speciale A isn’t just a car. It’s a six-figure invitation to drive like your hair’s on fire, with the soundtrack to match.
As for what the “A” in Speciale A stands for? Some say Aperta. We say it stands for “Arrivederci, Sanity.”
