Spy shots capture Ferrari 296 in street-legal race car guise

A camouflaged Ferrari 296 prototype was spotted on public roads, looking more like a track-ready racer than a typical street-legal supercar. Judging by the massive rear wing, mesh panels, and reworked bumper, this appears to be a road-going version of the 296 Challenge – a sort of “296 Challenge Stradale” aimed at being as lightweight as possible while stepping outside the hybrid framework.

Why it matters: While Ferrari is actively developing the EV Luce, it’s not abandoning pure engine-powered special editions. For collectors and enthusiasts who want an unmodified V6 without hybrid assistance, this model will be highly coveted and expensive – sources suggest a price north of $500,000 with an extremely limited production run.

What is the 296 Challenge Stradale

Under this name, we’re likely looking at a street-legal variant of the 296 Challenge race car adapted for road use: retaining an interior that’s not fully stripped like a track car, yet sporting racing-inspired elements such as a large rear wing, mesh cladding around the exhaust, a new front bumper, and polycarbonate side windows to shave weight.

Key specs:

• The 296 Challenge racing model uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 690 hp and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque.
• Its dry weight clocks in at 2,932 pounds (1,330 kg), compared to 3,108 pounds (1,410 kg) for the 296 Speciale. The road-going “Stradale” should sit somewhere in between.
• Pricing is expected to exceed $500,000, with the base 296 Speciale starting at $475,364 in the US.

Predecessors and rivals

Ferrari has a precedent for this approach: back in the early 2000s, the 360 Challenge Stradale set the standard for road-legal track-inspired variants – lighter, sharper, and ultimately becoming a sought-after collector’s item. The same logic applies here: special editions act as status symbols for buyers seeking exclusivity and high performance.

Key competitors like McLaren and Porsche also produce narrow-run special versions of their hybrid and naturally aspirated models, but Ferrari holds onto its niche for “pure” mechanical thrills where demand exists. As electrification advances, brands will increasingly pair their EV lineups with limited-edition combustion engine relics.

What to expect

If this is indeed the 296 Challenge Stradale, expect a limited run priced above $500,000, accompanied by a marketing narrative around the last “pure” V6 before broad electrification takes hold. Manufacturing will likely be bound by safety regulations, so replicating the exact race car’s ultra-low weight is improbable – but the drop in mass and the removal of hybrid components will be noticeable.

The launch timeline fits with Ferrari’s schedule: alongside the upcoming Luce EV, the brand is prepping several debuts in the near future, potentially coinciding with events like the Finali Mondiali. Buyers of rare special editions stand to benefit, while those waiting for more mass-market eco-friendly models may have to wait a bit longer.