Ferrari, synonymous with high-octane performance and Italian automotive artistry, is accelerating confidently into the era of electrification without sacrificing its legendary DNA. The Maranello-based manufacturer is expanding its range of advanced hybrid sports cars and, for the first time in its storied history, preparing to unveil a fully electric vehicle (EV) in late 2025. This sweeping technological transformation illustrates how even the most tradition-steeped automakers are innovating to thrive amid new environmental, regulatory, and performance landscapes.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale: Hybrids Reimagined
Ferrari’s evolution has been both strategic and spectacular. The latest flagship in its electrified family is the 296 Speciale, a limited-edition, plug-in hybrid supercar that embodies the marriage of electric innovation and classic Ferrari dynamism. Building visually and technically upon the acclaimed 296 GTS, the 296 Speciale boasts a combined output of 880hp—an increase of 50hp over the standard model—by merging a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a more powerful electric motor. This sophisticated hybrid system delivers jaw-dropping acceleration, clocking 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds—shaving a further 0.1 seconds off the already brisk 296 GTS time.
But raw speed is only part of the narrative. The 296 Speciale is engineered for the modern enthusiast, featuring 16 miles (25km) of pure electric range for urban stealth, reduced emissions, and heightened efficiency on daily drives. The plug-in hybrid configuration is underpinned by advanced aerodynamic solutions. Ferrari’s engineers incorporated lessons from racing, achieving 20% more downforce than the 296 GTS—435kg of aerodynamic load at 250km/h, enhancing both stability and cornering agility. Lightweight materials, recalibrated suspension, and racing-derived gearshift strategies complete a package that thrills on road and track, while unmistakably wearing the prancing horse crest.
Strategic Hybrid Expansion
The 296 Speciale is not Ferrari’s first foray into electrification. Hybrids already accounted for over half of the marque’s sales in 2024, largely due to the 296 and the SF90 – the latter blending a V8 petrol engine with three electric motors for nearly 1,000hp. Ferrari meticulously positions these models not simply as compliance exercises but as enhancements to performance and driver experience.
The company’s strategy revolves around leveraging hybrid technology to continue extracting emotional power, razor-sharp response, and signature soundtracks from internal combustion engines, while meeting evolving emissions standards and urban access rules. The V8’s future will be extended by hybridization, with new, more advanced plug-in drivetrains supplementing petrol power through the decade. This approach will also allow Ferrari to preserve the unmistakable character that fans expect, even as legislative pressures intensify.
The First Ferrari EV: A New Era Begins
Ferrari’s electrification journey will reach a high point in late 2025, when it pulls the wraps off its very first fully electric vehicle. The EV, likely called “Elettrica,” was previewed through multiple official channels, with its full technological reveal set for October 9, 2025, at the brand’s Capital Markets Day. While detailed specifications remain under wraps, executives assure that the car will reflect not only cutting-edge electric drivetrain technology but also retain Ferrari’s intangible qualities—distinctive styling, exhilarating performance, and emotional engagement. CEO Benedetto Vigna promises that the electric Ferrari will be “rooted in our racing heritage” and will “preserve all its authenticity and consistency,” blending future-facing drivetrain tech with true Ferrari spirit.
Production for this groundbreaking vehicle will take place in a new, carbon-neutral facility located in Maranello, underlining Ferrari’s commitment to sustainability and its ambition to scale up to 20,000 vehicles per year. Early test mules have already clocked thousands of public-road kilometers, and while spy shots suggest early prototypes may have shared components with existing luxury SUVs, Ferrari insiders insist the final product will showcase an unmistakably Ferrari form and soul. The highly anticipated EV is targeted for a starting price above $500,000, and deliveries are scheduled to start in 2026, with customer orders opening soon after the 2025 debut.
Performance Heritage Meets Electric Ambition
At every step, Ferrari’s electrification program is defined not by compromise but by ambition: to utilize hybrid and electric technologies as force-multipliers for performance, not mere substitutes for petrol power. Hybrids like the SF90 and 296 Speciale prove Ferrari’s commitment to delivering next-generation supercars that are lighter, more responsive, more sustainable, and—crucially—more exhilarating.
With the 2025 launch of its first EV, Ferrari stands on the edge of a new chapter—one that will blend 21st-century electric propulsion with the visceral, emotional core that defines the marque’s legacy. As the world shifts toward electrification, Ferrari’s strategy shows that even the most historic brands can drive innovation forward, ensuring that the thrill of the prancing horse is not just preserved, but electrified for generations to come