Thursday 19th October 2023

Ferrari previews all-new 296 Challenge

The Ferrari Challenge car is now on its ninth derivative - and this one is certainly different to all the rest

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Few one-make racing championships rank alongside the gentleman-pleasing Ferrari Challenge. Now in its 30th year, the competition encompasses four official series around the globe (including one in the UK) and represents a pleasingly significant line on Ferrari’s balance sheet. Accordingly, the launch of a new Challenge car is an important event - and not just because there have been eight Challenge derivatives before it, stretching all the way back to the original 348. 

No, this year is particularly noteworthy because the latest 296 Challenge car is the first to be powered by a V6. Its predecessor, the 488 Challenge (and, indeed, every version before it) earned a breathed-on version of whatever Ferrari-built V8 the road-going equivalent got. Now the manufacturer has turned to a hybridised 120-degree, 3.0-litre V6 in its mid-engined mainstay, so the racing car must inevitably follow suit. 

However, purists need not fret: much like the 296 GT3 that Ferrari revealed last year, the Challenge car does without the electric components, making it helpfully lighter than the showroom model. It is unlikely to miss the battery-powered assistance either - thanks to ‘substantial modifications’ that Ferrari hasn't yet divulged, the Challenge-grade engine is said to develop 700hp with torque peaking at 546lb ft. Its maker reckons that sets a new power record for the segment (whatever that means) at 234hp per litre. Which is an impressively chunky amount any way you slice it. 

Doubtless Ferrari is saving the full details for next week, when the 296 Challenge is due to be presented at the Finali Mondiali at Mugello, but suffice it to say that the new car is set to deliver ‘downforce figures unprecedented in the single-make series’ history’ -  in excess of 870kg at 250 km/h, in fact - and benefits from the debut of the ABS EVO Track system as well newly developed 19-inch Pirelli tyres. It absolutely looks the part, too. The car is due to make its racing debut next year, but expect to learn more about it by the end of next week. 

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• Ferrari 296 GT3 replaces 488 racer
• 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB | PH Review

[GingerMunky]

Stunning, can't wait to see on track.

[ManyMotors]

It looks good! And we all knew the V6 would be in it. So, with the money you got from your company's IPO, buy one and race it.

[WCZ]

looks great and the ferrari challenge cars are always absolutely fantastic

[GroundEffect]

Interesting decision to chase downforce - this series is mostly for over-paid executives to live out their fantasies. So the cars need to be very, very benign to drive. Adding that much downforce seems counter-productive.

[bowder]

bit of a shame they didn't make the engine as stylish as the car.

[Mark_Blanchard]

Superb looking car! Ferrari are back on form.

[Nish Gnackers]

GroundEffect said:

Interesting decision to chase downforce - this series is mostly for over-paid executives to live out their fantasies. So the cars need to be very, very benign to drive. Adding that much downforce seems counter-productive.

I can only presume from your comments you haven't witnessed,first hand, the "Challenge" racers, never mind the old Ferrari V10 F1 cars and FXX / FXX EVO cars being driven as they were intended, i.e. pretty much flat out, around Donington or Silverstone.

Edited by Nish Gnackers on Thursday 19th October 17:32

Edited by Nish Gnackers on Thursday 19th October 17:37

[anonymous-user]

Would love one of these without the decals, just so i could do the school run and scare the life out of everybody i am sure the engine noise on these is pretty epic ?

[Nish Gnackers]

2 seconds a lap faster than a 488 Evo around Mugello.

[matrignano]

Interesting packaging on that engine - are the inlets and exhausts both squeezed between the V?

If so that’s very neat but I’m not sure how the inlet air is routed to the cylinders?

[kambites]

matrignano said:

Interesting packaging on that engine - are the inlets and exhausts both squeezed between the V?

It's a conventional hot-V engine, with the exhaust gubbins in the V and the intake ports on the outside. You can see the intake manifold better here:

[matrignano]

Ah yes, thanks!

I was wondering if the large black hoses on top of the engine were part of the intake. What are they then?

[subirg]

Looks awesome and clearly shows progression vs 488. But the most satisfying part for me is that they’ve ditched the utterly pointless hybrid guff and made it a pure ICE powertrain. Bravo!

[big_rob_sydney]

Oh that is lovely!

[kambites]

matrignano said:

I was wondering if the large black hoses on top of the engine were part of the intake. What are they then?

Probably turbo plumbing?

[andy43]

subirg said:

Looks awesome and clearly shows progression vs 488. But the most satisfying part for me is that they’ve ditched the utterly pointless hybrid guff and made it a pure ICE powertrain. Bravo!

I’d hope they’ll get a series of enquiries for road car conversions or a fully legal road going equivalent if they’re still allowed to make cars like that.

[BVB]

Superb. Without the hybrid kit it will be very nice and light. That engine. What a gem.

[Red6]

GroundEffect said:

Interesting decision to chase downforce - this series is mostly for over-paid executives to live out their fantasies. So the cars need to be very, very benign to drive. Adding that much downforce seems counter-productive.

I take it you're a professional racing driver then? So what if over-paid execs are getting behind the wheel and the cars might benign to drive. It still takes some skill.

[nismo48]

Stunning and impressive quality in the engineering too..

[Julian Thompson]

Red6 said:

GroundEffect said:

Interesting decision to chase downforce - this series is mostly for over-paid executives to live out their fantasies. So the cars need to be very, very benign to drive. Adding that much downforce seems counter-productive.

I take it you're a professional racing driver then? So what if over-paid execs are getting behind the wheel and the cars might benign to drive. It still takes some skill.

In my experience on track a great deal of the “overpaid execs” are successful at driving fast because they apply the same dedication to their hobby as they do in the office. Some of them can peddle a car extremely competently and are pretty fearsome competitors. Of course some just enjoy a more relaxed experience but free of speed limits and enjoying pushing a Ferrari on circuit - can you blame them?