Ferrari’s Answer to Tariffs: More Speed, More Emotion
In Maranello near Modena, where Italy’s motor spirit burns brightest, Ferrari presented its latest triumph — claiming that the new 296 Speciale offers the most exhilarating driving experience in the company's history. finews.asia attended the presentation.
There are journeys that educate in subtle ways. A drive to Modena and Maranello, to the lands where Ferrari was born, is such a journey. It teaches about the essence of motor enthusiasm, the cult of «italianità», and the fine art of marketing. Where else but in this corner of Emilia-Romagna — proudly known as «Motor Valley» — could one grasp the full emotional weight of the automobile’s future?
finews.asia traveled to Italy to witness Ferrari’s latest unveiling — a model so secret that no official details leaked ahead of the event, despite swirling rumors in specialist forums. Ferrari had imposed an embargo as tight as an F1 gearbox, with phones and laptops stickered and the venue’s purpose cloaked in secrecy until the last moment.
Force of Attraction
The gravitational pull of the Ferrari brand was immediately tangible: over 40 journalists from across the globe had descended upon Modena. Even the announcement of 25 percent tariffs on foreign-made cars by U.S. President Donald Trump, which briefly unsettled Ferrari’s near-invincible stock, could not diminish the gathering’s energy.
Battery-Augmented V6: New Ferrari Speciale 296 in Nuerburgringgreen. (Image: Ferrari, Courtesy)
Today, Ferrari’s shares have already recovered to pre-tariff levels — a testament to the company's unique resilience.
Higher, Lighter, Sharper
Before tackling trade wars, tribute must be paid to the masterpiece unveiled: the 296 Speciale. Based on the 296 GTB, this «Speciale» iteration follows the proud lineage of Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista.
Ferrari’s engineers were given a simple yet audacious brief: to create the most exhilarating driving experience in the company's history. The result is a tour de force of engineering: a combined output of 880 horsepower, an overall weight reduction of 60 kilograms, and 20 percent more aerodynamic downforce compared to the 296 GTB.
Technical Triumphs
Key distinctions define the Speciale beyond mere numbers. Extensive use of carbon fiber on body panels and the substitution of steel with lighter titanium components contribute to the car’s weight loss. A new «extra boost» function pushes the electric motor's contribution to 180 horsepower in qualifying mode, delivering raw acceleration bursts akin to a Formula 1 overtake.
Interiors of the new car. (Image: Ferrari, Courtesy)
The aerodynamics have evolved radically. A reworked aero-damper system at the front, sculpted side wings at the rear, and an active rear spoiler with a new medium downforce setting — all derived from Ferrari's racing experience — create a car that feels surgically planted even at extreme speeds.
From Grace to Aggression
Visually, the 296 Speciale sheds the elegant restraint of the 296 GTB. A suspended front splitter, broader air intakes, an aggressive rear deck, and redesigned wheels with a star-patterned architecture emphasize a look drawn straight from closed-wheel racing Ferraris.
The Speciale’s interior has also been stripped for purpose: carbon monocoque door panels, ultra-lightweight seats, and a redesigned steering wheel underscore the model's devotion to driving purity.
High Mass in Maranello
Presenting such a car in Maranello is akin to celebrating High Mass in the Catholic Church. Reverence hung palpably in the air as Ferrari executives and seasoned reporters alike dissected every facet — from the new louver arrangements on the bonnet to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, developed specifically for this model.
Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s Head of Product Development, highlighted the driving experience from his test drives of the 296 Speciale at Balocco: «This car to be driven is amazing, it's fantastic!»
Ferrari Marketing Director Enrico Galliera. (Image: Ferrari, Courtesy)
Electrification: The Ferrari Way
Ferrari's executives were equally candid about the brand’s hybrid philosophy. Enrico Galliera, Senior Vice President Commercial & Marketing Management, described the Speciale’s hybrid powertrain as an ideal fusion of tradition and innovation: the electric motor adds torque, responsiveness, and emotion without diluting the visceral character of the V6 engine. «We learned from our racing activities that the most performing engine to achieve the peak of the performance was the V6 combined with an electric engine,» Galliera said.
Electrification at Ferrari, they emphasized, is not an ideological pivot but a technical opportunity to enhance driving thrills. The electric boost offers another layer of performance and emotion, seamlessly integrated into the experience.
Purely Electric on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Ferrari confirmed that its first fully electric car is on track. It will be developed with the same core values: maintaining «driving emotion» — consisting of sensations of acceleration, braking, shifting, steering response, and sound — as fundamental pillars, regardless of propulsion method.
However, Ferrari representatives made clear that, should the sound element be reduced, the car would have to deliver an equivalent level of driving thrill in a different dimension.
Rear view of the spider version. (Image: Ferrari, Courtesy)
Exclusivity as a Strategy
The launch also offered rare insight into Ferrari’s commercial strategy. According to Galliera, the 296 Speciale is «not limited in terms of number. It is limited in terms of time,» being available only to «active customers» for a shorter lifecycle than a standard model.
Active customers, in Ferrari terminology, are those who bought a new or a used Ferrari within the past five years. Local dealers will determine eligibility case by case — in contrast to limited-edition models, where the decision is made directly by Ferrari in Maranello based on the client’s overall brand engagement, including participation at Ferrari events.
Facing the Trade Winds
The 25 percent U.S. tariffs threatened to cloud the occasion, but Ferrari remained composed. Representatives confirmed that Ferrari would absorb a significant part of the new tariffs: already ordered cars would be delivered with Ferrari bearing the full additional cost, while pricing on future models would not be raised by more than 10 percent — effectively meaning Ferrari would shoulder almost half the tariff burden.
At the time of publishing, there were signs that the tariffs might be suspended, a possibility that could allow Ferrari to emerge not only unscathed but strengthened — a reminder that certain brands do not merely endure history; they shape it.
The new Ferrari 296 Speciale is available in two versions: the closed coupé («Berlinetta») and the open-top «Spider», officially called 296 Speciale A. Both are powered by a hybrid system combining a rear-mid 120° V6 twin-turbo engine and an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 880 cv (648 kW) and 755 Nm of torque. Dry weight is 1'370 kilograms for the Berlinetta and 1'490 kilograms for the Spider. The Spider adds a retractable hardtop (RHT) and refined aerodynamics for open-top driving. Both models are reserved exclusively for active Ferrari clients.
