Hardcore Ferrari Spied Looking Like A Race Car For The Road

While we’re patiently waiting for Ferrari to unveil the electric Luce, something exciting is brewing for the engine-loving crowd. A camouflaged prototype that looks like a race car for the road has been spotted roaming public streets, suggesting a hardcore special edition is on the way. At first glance, it resembles an update to the 296 Challenge launched in late 2023, but why would Ferrari test a race car on public roads, complete with a license plate?

A 296 Challenge Evo would also feature polycarbonate side windows instead of regular glass. From what we can tell, this prototype appears to have a standard interior rather than the stripped-out cabin of the track-only racer. The wheels are different as well, and they’re certainly not wrapped in racing slicks like the Challenge.

Eagle-eyed observers will notice the front parking sensors and the absence of quick-release hood latches. Ferrari has fitted a new front bumper not seen on the GTB, Speciale, or Challenge, while the rear, complete with dual exhaust tips and see-through mesh, is more in line with the race car than the street-legal 296 models. Although the test vehicle spotted by Derek Photography is heavily camouflaged, the massive rear wing, seemingly lifted straight from the race car, is impossible to disguise.

All signs point to this being a 296 Challenge Stradale, positioned as an even more enthusiast-focused version than last year’s Speciale. If that’s the case, the real highlight will be the powertrain. Should it follow the race car’s formula, the road-legal model could ditch the hybrid components in favor of a pure V6 setup to shed extra weight.

The 296 Challenge has a dry weight of just 2,932 pounds (1,330 kilograms), while a 296 Speciale tips the scales at 3,108 pounds (1,410 kilograms) before fluids. A street-legal Challenge would likely land somewhere in between, as it’s hard to imagine Ferrari matching the race car’s low weight, given the safety and regulatory requirements a production vehicle must meet.

In race-spec form, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 produces 690 horsepower and 546 pound-feet (740 Newton-meters) of torque. In the still-fresh Speciale, output remains at 690 hp, but torque climbs slightly to 557 lb-ft (755 Nm).

If this truly is a 296 Challenge Stradale, expect the price to sail past $500,000. A base 296 Speciale already starts at $475,364 in the United States. While Maranello hasn’t disclosed production numbers for the Speciale, logic suggests a Challenge Stradale would be even rarer. Factor in the added exclusivity, and this promises to be one very expensive horse breed.

Motor1’s Take: We may not have to wait long to see the car without camouflage. Beyond the upcoming Luce EV, Ferrari has four additional new model debuts planned for 2026. Some reports suggest a world premiere could take place during the Finali Mondiali event in mid-November, with deliveries beginning next year.

Even if Ferrari’s EV is just months away from its official reveal, it’s reassuring to see the company remain committed to the good ol’ combustion engine. If the 296 Challenge Stradale turns out to be V6-only, collectors will likely snap them up instantly. Who knows when (and if) we’ll see another six-cylinder Ferrari that skips electrification altogether?