Photo: Ilias Abawi on Instagram
Carparazzo Ilias Abawi recently spotted a 296 test mule so camouflaged that it's hard to tell what's really under the wraps. After all, the Prancing Horse is known for renewing models every five years.
Could this be a revamped 296 with incremental upgrades over the current 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid supercar? How about a go-faster version of the V8-powered SF90 XX? It’s also rumoured to be a new Icona model, believed to carry the SP4 badge.
Let’s start with the SP line of incredibly expensive cars. The Monza SP1 and Monza SP2 are inspired by 1950s racing cars, while the Dayona SP3 harks back to 1960s racing. Given this information, it’s natural to assume that the Ferrari Styling Center will look to 1970s racing cars for inspiration for the SP4. The 512 S and 512 M sports prototypes immediately come to mind, with the Prancing Horse having scored just one win to Porsche’s nine in the 1970 World Sports Car Championship.
As for the possibility of a 296 XX, there’s road-going precedent with the SF90 XX. We also know Ferrari knows how to squeeze more ponies out of the 296’s narrow-angle V6, a sonorous engine that’s been adapted for endurance racing in 2023. Remember the 499P? It won Le Mans two years in a row.
What about the fact that said mule is a facelift with a different name, similar to the 488 that replaces the 458? Considering that the 296 came out in June 2021 with 830 horsepower to its name and the aforementioned five-year product lifecycle, 2025 is pretty close for the mid-cycle refresh. In other words, we’re not sure what Maranello’s favorite son is testing.
Photo: Ilias Abawi on Instagram
In any case, the Italian automaker has clarified that three new models will be launched in 2024. In addition to the 12Cylinder that replaces the 812, Ferrari will debut a V6-powered replacement for the LaFerrari this year. This mule could very well be a precursor to the third new model launch for 2024 mentioned in the company's 2023 results presentation.
Speaking of which, Ferrari moved 13,663 vehicles last year, beating the previous record of 13,221 deliveries worldwide in 2022. Ferrari also split sales by powertrain type, with the SF90 and 296 series accounting for 44 percent of sales, or just over 6,010 vehicles.
While it’s unclear how many 296s were delivered last year, there’s no denying that the entry-level supercar, if you can call it that, is a sales success. A transitional car and somewhat misunderstood due to its plug-in hybrid setup and six-cylinder engine, the 296 needs to improve under the skin to close the gap with the all-new Lamborghini Temerario.
Not only does the Huracan's successor rev to 10,000 rpm, but its twin-turbo V8 is joined by three electric motors for all-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive like the 296. All told, the Lambo develops 920 horsepower, of which the V8 contributes 800 hp, or 789 PS.