Ferrari 296 Speciale revealed with 868bhp and radical aero set-up

This has brought about the fitment of two winglets atop the car’s rear haunches and a small active spoiler that rises from the back end – from just above the Prancing Horse badge.

The spoiler has three possible positions and adjusts based on the steering angle and throttle position.

It plays a key role in boosting the car’s maximum downforce by 20% compared with the 296 GTB, with 435kg at 155mph.

The damper and spring set-up has been revised, bringing a 5mm drop in ride height and a claimed 13% reduction in maximum body lean when cornering.

The cockpit has been reworked to minimise weight, with new seats that are said to be 5kg lighter than those in the 296 GTB.

There is more carbonfibre than before, including on a new single-piece door card, and the new steering wheel swaps the previous unit’s touchsensitive control pads for traditional buttons.

Ferrari said the Speciale will not be strictly limited in number but by the time it spends in production, which will be significantly shorter than for the now-discontinued GTB. It will be “very exclusive”, said Galliera.

Ferrari will offer the car only to what it calls “active” clients: those who have bought a new or approved-used car (or maintained an older car) through an official dealer within the past five years.