After record sales in 2024, Ferrari will show no fewer than six new cars this year. We strongly believe that one of them will be this. It may look like a Saleen S7 from the side, but that’s just the camouflage playing tricks on us. Hiding behind the unusually thick disguise is either the hotter 296 VS (Versione Speciale) or the SF90 successor.
The top image was supplied by a Motor1 reader who stumbled upon the awkward-looking prototype roaming the streets of Italy. Two additional images, attached below, come via our friend, Derek Cornelissen. They show a test car also spotted in the country shaped like a boot. It’s strange to see a Ferrari with this much makeup, especially since the 296 VS isn’t an all-new car. The updated SF90 is unlikely to be developed from scratch either.
Photo by: Derek Photography
Photo by: Derek Photography
It’s evident from the wheel arches and side skirts just how much camouflage Ferrari has plastered onto the prototype. One detail has been left exposed–the dual exhaust tips are positioned farther apart, suggesting it’s the SF90 replacement rather than the 296 VS. The disguise makes the car bigger than it probably is, giving the impression that it’s a long-tail version. Chances are the extra camo hides some aero trickery, especially at the back, derived from more expensive models in Maranello’s stable.
According to a member of the FerrariChat forums, the 296 VS will reportedly get more power and keep the hybrid setup. It’s said to have an updated body with left and right rear spoilers, an enlarged diffuser, and a fully enclosed engine hood. A diet is mentioned, making the new version lighter than the GTB’s 3,241 pounds (1,470 kilograms) dry weight. The F80’s wheels could trickle down to the company’s entry-level car.
The 296 VS will allegedly break cover with a different name on April 29. A racing-inspired Piloti Edition featuring the choice between GT3 and LM liveries could follow at the 2025 Le Mans endurance race scheduled for June 14-15. Pricing is unknown, but given the upgrades and limited production, it’ll undoubtedly be higher than the $346,950 starting price of a 296 GTB. Similarly, a hotter 296 GTS will command a premium over the $379,950 base droptop model.
If the 296 VS premieres in April, the SF90 replacement will arrive later in 2025. As to which of the two cars is pictured here, we’re leaning towards the latter. The spy video (via Instagram user varryx_) attached below shows a different Ferrari prototype with an exhaust similar to the outgoing 296 GTB. Chances are the car below is the 296 VS, and the one above is the SF90 replacement.