The Ferrari 296 GTS is an open-top version of the firm's new mid-engined hybrid supercar, rivalling the McLaren 720S Spider with 819bhp and "class-leading levels of driver engagement".
The new convertible is one of two new Maranello models that will be revealed this year, with the highly anticipated Ferrari Purosangue SUV due in the coming months to complete the line-up.
Ferrari has shown it off in the metal for the first time at a special preview event at the Le Mans 24 Hours, where it has anounced its return to the race in 2023 with a new prototype hypercar racer.
In keeping with Ferrari tradition, the differences between the hardtop Ferrari 296 GTB and its convertible sibling are minimal, and limited chiefly to subtle styling revisions to accommodate the opening roof.
So the two cars have nearly identical silhouettes, but the retractable hard top – a similar set-up to that used by the Ferrari SF90 Spider – is stowed in a new bay inside the engine compartment, behind the seats.
Matteo Turconi, product marketing manager for Ferrari's sports car models, said that packaging a folding hard-top was a challenge with the switch to hybrid power for Ferrari's mid-engined supercar but a challenge the engineering team had overcome.
"The roof takes space, so where would we put the battery?" he said. "We put it more or less in the same position as in the coupé, under the rear bench, but with this car, we further optimised the battery so we still had the rear bench for luggage space. This is very important."
The 296's rear deck has been reworked with resculptured buttresses and a more prominent step between the roof and the distinctive 'aero bridge' that spans the width of the car. There is also a new window at the bottom of the engine cover, and the rear screen is adjustable to ensure cabin comfort at high speeds with the roof down.
The overall effect of the subtle makeover gives "an extremely compact cabin effortlessly integrated with the wings and flanks".
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these days everone wants high margin products.
Ferrai will never make a cheap car, a la Dino, when a BMW M car now runs to £100k!!
Red please with the two stripes and a dark interior, if, if I could afford it, it's one of the better looking Ferrari in the last few years.
I'll have mine without the ugly two colour option but with the silver wheels please.