- It’s based on the 296 GT3 Evo but freed from regulation-imposed limitations.
- The 296 GT Modificata is three seconds faster around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.
- Ferrari’s most hardcore 296 won’t actually go racing since it’s reserved for non-competitive events organized by the company.
Although race cars are far more radical than the road-going models they’re based upon, they still must meet the regulations of the motorsport series they’re developed for. That means some restrictions are necessary for compliance, as with the 296 GT3 Evo. However, the new 296 GT Modificata doesn’t play by the rules, since it’s not meant to race in FIA- or IMSA-sanctioned series.
Ferrari has essentially taken the lessons learned from the 296 GT3 Evo and used them to create a car that doesn’t have to follow the same rulebook. The result is a machine estimated to lap the company’s Fiorano test track about three seconds faster than the race car it’s based on. Mind you, it hasn’t been tested yet, so this is more of an estimate on Ferrari’s part.
At the heart of the most extreme 296 to date is an upgraded twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine. It now produces 720 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) after making changes to the turbochargers, crank train, camshafts, induction system, and intercoolers. There’s also a new low-pressure pump and a beefier fuel system to match the engine’s higher thirst for gasoline.
The Extra Power Comes With Better Aero
Beyond its upgraded engine, Maranello's latest track toy features a modified body for better aerodynamic performance. The front end features a meaner splitter and additional aero elements, while a massive fixed wing dominates the rear. The body also incorporates chunkier air intakes and heavily sculpted surfaces designed to manage airflow at high speeds.
That should translate into more grip and greater stability at speed, allowing the driver to carry more momentum through corners. And because this is a track-only machine, there’s no need to make compromises for ground clearance, pedestrian protection, emissions, or everyday usability. It’s as raw as the 296 gets, and only a few will own one since Ferrari says it will be built in “extremely limited numbers.”
Members Only
Okay, so who’s it for? The 296 GT Modificata is tailored to members of Ferrari’s Club Competizioni GT program. The members-only series gives owners the chance to drive their cars on some of the world’s most famous circuits, with the purchase including two years, or 12 rounds, of participation.
For 2027, the calendar features seven events at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, Misano Adriatico in Italy, Fuji in Japan, Indianapolis in the United States, Paul Ricard in France, and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The season will wrap up at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, with the venue and dates to be announced later.
Ferrari 296 GT Modificata
Motor1's Take: You could argue that the 296 GT Modificata represents an intriguing loophole in Ferrari’s performance hierarchy. It doesn’t need to win a championship. It simply needs to be brutally fast and entertaining, like the 488 GT Modificata before it.
The idea of taking a GT3-derived platform, removing the regulatory shackles, and then adding power is exactly the kind of recipe that will appeal to the one-percenters who can afford this race car. Even if it doesn't have a racing series to compete in.
