Ferrari Teases New Model For April 19, Could It Be The 296 Spider?

Ferrari took to its social media channels today to share a darkened teaser photo, promising “a surprise” for April 19. Although there isn’t a whole lot to go on here, we think that it might be the convertible version of the Ferrari 296 GTB.

Released in June of 2021, the hybrid supercar is the brand’s first model powered by a V6 engine since the ’70s. So far only released as a hardtop, it didn’t take long for Ferrari to start testing a droptop version of the 296 on public roads.

Spied in photos and videos, the topless version of the supercar appears to have a folding metal roof instead of a more traditional soft top. To accommodate it, the automaker seems to have changed the rear decklid mildly but little else. And, indeed, if we assume that the lower line of this teaser image starts at the side intake and follows to the rear haunches and that the upper line is the top of the door, this does look rather like a 296, albeit one without a roof.

Ferrari’s other convertible models include the Portofino, the F8 Spider, the SF90, and the 812 GTS, which as you may have noticed, gives the brand a few options for naming the convertible version of the 296 GTB. Given that the droptop version of the Ferrari Dino 246, which has served as inspiration for the 296, was called the GTS, could mean that Ferrari would go with that.

Whatever it’s called, we expect it to be mechanically similar, if not identical, to the hardtop version. That means that it will be powered by a 2.9-liter V6 engine that’s assisted by an electric motor. Together, they produce 819 hp (610 kW/830 PS) and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque in a package that weighs 3,241 lbs (1,470 kg), though we anticipate that the convertible version will gain a little weight.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to keep wondering exactly what Ferrari has done until the car is unveiled on April 19, but come back for our full report on the car then.