Ferrari’s Wildest V6 Supercar Yet Debuts April 29

Picking up the mantle from the 488 Pista, the hardcore 296 will feature weight savings, improved aero, and probably a power bump

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The long-awaited hardcore version of the Ferrari 296 GTB is expected to be unveiled later this month. It will be the latest in a long line of track-focused, yet still street-legal, Maranello supercars that started with the 360 Challenge Stradale in the early 2000s and was followed up by icons like the 430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista, as well as the 599 GTO and 812 Competizione. It’s one of several new models that the Italian brand will launch this year, including its first EV that’s expected in the fourth quarter.

This new model is known internally as the F171VS, but it’s unclear what moniker the finished product will bear. Some reports speculate it’ll be known as the 296 VS, or Versione Speciale, and will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor with more power, less weight, and improved aero.

Read: 2026 Ferrari 296 VS Spied As A Performance-Focused Hybrid

The reveal won’t come at a flashy auto show or high-profile press event. According to The Supercar Blog, Ferrari plans to unveil the 296 VS digitally through its MyFerrari app on April 29—a modern, if slightly less romantic, approach to launching a high-performance supercar.

A heavily-disguised prototype was spotted testing under thick camouflage and cladding back in February. While much of the revised design was hidden, the car looks to have received updated front and rear fascias, new aero add-ons, and different wheels. The 296 VS will also come standard with a larger diffuser, helping to stick those fat rear tires to the tarmac.

Much like the standard model, power will continue to come from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired to an electric motor. In standard form, this powertrain pumps out an impressive 819 hp and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque. However, Ferrari’s engineers will inevitably look to work their magic on the hybrid setup, likely pushing it towards the 850 hp mark or perhaps even more, encroaching on the Lamborghini Temerario’s 907 hp.

The changes won’t stop there. Recent reports have indicated that, among other aero add-ons, the driver-focused supercar may feature active aero flaps on the rear decklid to aid in braking and increase downforce over the rear axle.

There’s no word on how much the VS will cost, but it’ll definitely command a significant premium over the standard 296 GTB. However, as is the case with all new Prancing Horses, never mind the more special ones, there’s no doubt clients around the world will fill Maranello’s order books before you can say “VS” – and flippers will, sadly but surely, be having a ball.

Baldauf / Carscoops