Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Is a 730-PS Track Weapon That Outruns the 296 GT3 Evo at Fiorano

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Ferrari has unveiled the new 296 GT Modificata, an extreme track-only supercar developed specifically for non-competitive events within the Ferrari Club Competizioni GT programme. Based on technology derived from the 296 GT3 Evo, the latest Ferrari “Modificata” combines a 730-cv V6 engine, racing-derived aerodynamics, upgraded brakes and a two-seat cockpit designed to let owners share the track experience with a passenger or instructor.

Presented at Ferrari Racing Days in Budapest, Hungary, the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata represents the latest evolution of Maranello’s customer-focused track cars. Built without the restrictions imposed by conventional motorsport regulations, it is designed to extract significantly more performance from Ferrari’s 2.9-liter, six-cylinder platform.

Ferrari says the 296 GT Modificata has the potential to lap the Fiorano circuit approximately three seconds faster than the 296 GT3 Evo, despite sharing the fundamental architecture of that competition car.

Ferrari 296 GT Modificata: 730 PS From a 2.9-Liter V6

At the heart of the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata is a rear-mid-mounted 2,992-cc 120-degree V6 internal-combustion engine.

The engine retains the basic architecture of the powerplant used by the 296 GT3 Evo, but Ferrari has extensively modified the hardware to increase performance. Changes include the cranktrain, camshafts, induction system, intercoolers and turbochargers.

The turbochargers retain the exterior housing geometry of the 296 GT3 Evo, while their internal components were developed specifically for the 296 GT Modificata. Ferrari also drew on engineering experience from the 499P Modificata, another customer track car created without the constraints of competition regulations.

A revised fuel system, including an additional low-pressure pump, supports the engine’s increased fuel-flow requirements.

The result is 730 cv, equivalent to 537 kW, at 7,500 rpm.

That figure is particularly significant because it is 130 cv more than the 296 GT3 Evo produces. The race car is restricted by Balance of Performance regulations, while the 296 GT Modificata is free from those limitations.

Ferrari quotes a specific output of 244 cv per liter, or 179 kW/l, making the V6 one of the most highly developed engines in the company’s customer racing portfolio.

A Six-Speed Sequential Gearbox Developed for the Track

The engine is paired with a six-speed sequential transmission featuring a carbon clutch.

Ferrari has revised the transmission ratios specifically for the 296 GT Modificata. The objective is to exploit the engine’s expanded operating range and deliver stronger performance during non-competitive track driving.

Unlike a road car, where gearing has to accommodate a wide variety of everyday driving conditions, the 296 GT Modificata is engineered around circuit performance. That allows Ferrari to optimize the drivetrain for acceleration, response and driver engagement on a race track.

The exhaust system is also completely new, with redesigned tailpipes forming part of the car’s distinctive technical and visual character.

Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Aerodynamics

The biggest visual changes compared with the 296 GT3 Evo are found at the front and rear of the car.

Ferrari has developed bespoke aerodynamic solutions around two critical areas: the front wing and bonnet, and the rear wing.

At the front, the 296 GT Modificata receives what Ferrari calls a “Slotted Splitter.” Its purpose is to improve airflow management underneath the car while increasing the overall downforce generated by the bodywork.

The front bonnet has also been redesigned.

Because the 730-cv engine generates greater thermal loads, Ferrari needed to improve cooling capacity. The new bonnet features a larger main opening and a dedicated vane designed to redirect hot air exiting the central front radiator.

This helps prevent unwanted interaction with the lateral intercoolers.

Ferrari has also redesigned the vent located near the base of the windshield to improve thermal management beneath the front bodywork.

New Rear Wing Inspired by the Ferrari 499P

The rear of the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata features a completely new aerodynamic architecture.

The rear wing incorporates a new central support, a 5-mm Gurney flap and endplates inspired by the Ferrari 499P.

The endplates perform a structural function but also help control the vortices generated around the wing. That becomes increasingly important as aerodynamic load increases.

The combination of the redesigned front splitter, revised bodywork and new rear wing gives the 296 GT Modificata a significantly more aggressive aerodynamic package than the standard road-going 296 family.

Most importantly, Ferrari has engineered the system to maintain aerodynamic balance while increasing downforce.

Upgraded Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Brakes

Extra engine performance and aerodynamic capability require equally significant improvements to braking performance.

The Ferrari 296 GT Modificata therefore uses an evolution of the braking system developed for the 296 GT3 Evo and 296 GT3 Biposto.

At the front are new steel brake discs with improved ventilation and greater cooling capacity.

An additional air intake positioned in the lower section of the front bumper increases the volume of air directed toward the braking system. Ferrari has also optimized the brake cooling ducts to improve airflow efficiency.

The result is better thermal management during extended track sessions.

That matters particularly on circuits where repeated heavy braking can quickly increase temperatures. Ferrari says the revised system is intended to provide more consistent braking performance and improved reliability, allowing drivers to exploit the car’s performance for longer periods.

ABS Designed for Drivers of Different Skill Levels

Despite its extreme performance, the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata is not intended exclusively for professional racing drivers.

The car features an ABS system derived from the technology used on its GT3 counterpart, but calibrated specifically for this application.

The objective is to make the car’s performance more accessible across different levels of driving experience while maintaining the performance required for extended circuit use.

That philosophy is important because the 296 GT Modificata is part of Ferrari’s customer-focused track programme rather than a conventional competition car.

Two Seats Make the 296 GT Modificata Different

One of the most interesting aspects of the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata is its two-seat configuration.

Ferrari modified the roll-bar structure to accommodate a passenger seat alongside the driver.

That allows owners to share the experience with another person rather than treating the car exclusively as a single-seat track machine.

The second seat also makes the 296 GT Modificata particularly suitable for driver coaching. An instructor can ride alongside the owner during track sessions and provide immediate feedback.

Ferrari has fitted the passenger side with a dedicated footrest, while an integrated intercom system allows continuous communication between driver and passenger.

For a customer-focused track car, that is a significant advantage. The 296 GT Modificata is not simply designed to deliver lap times; it is also intended to help its owner become a better driver.

Track Technology Included as Standard

Ferrari has equipped the 296 GT Modificata with a substantial amount of equipment that is normally available as optional hardware on the 296 GT3 Evo.

The standard specification includes the Data Acquisition System in Step 1 and Step 2 configurations.

That system adds sensors including pitot tubes for measuring airspeed, damper potentiometers and brake-temperature sensors.

The car also receives VideoBox Premium, allowing drivers to record their track sessions and review their performance with a coach.

Other standard equipment includes Rear Camera Premium and the IRTPMS Step 2 system for monitoring tire pressure and temperature.

The specification also includes a carbon clutch, professional seat harnesses and the “extra fan” function designed to improve cockpit cooling.

Additional equipment can be ordered from Ferrari, including a rear radar system capable of warning the driver about faster vehicles approaching from behind.

Owners can also select the color scheme of the car’s livery from Ferrari’s Design Studio palette.

Built for Ferrari Club Competizioni GT

The Ferrari 296 GT Modificata is designed from the outset for participation in the Club Competizioni GT programme.

This means owners are not buying a conventional road car that has been modified for occasional track use. Instead, the car is engineered specifically around the experience of driving on a circuit.

It is also produced in extremely limited numbers, reinforcing its position as a highly exclusive Ferrari customer-racing product.

The absence of competition regulations gives Ferrari’s engineers considerably greater freedom. There is no requirement to conform to the Balance of Performance restrictions that apply to the 296 GT3 Evo.

That freedom is one of the fundamental reasons why the 296 GT Modificata can produce 730 cv.

Why the Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Is Faster Than the 296 GT3 Evo

The most striking claim surrounding the new Ferrari is its potential performance advantage over the 296 GT3 Evo.

Ferrari estimates that the 296 GT Modificata can lap the Fiorano circuit approximately three seconds faster than the 296 GT3 Evo.

That may sound surprising given that the 296 GT3 Evo is a purpose-built racing machine, but the difference is explained by the regulations.

The GT3 car must comply with FIA GT3 regulations and Balance of Performance requirements. The 296 GT Modificata does not.

Ferrari can therefore increase engine output, optimize aerodynamic performance and tailor the drivetrain specifically for unrestricted customer track use.

The result is a machine that takes technology developed for Ferrari’s racing programmes and removes many of the restrictions that competition requires.

The Meaning Behind “296 GT Modificata”

The name itself provides a concise explanation of Ferrari’s philosophy.

“296” refers to the engine’s 2.9-liter displacement and six-cylinder configuration.

“GT” identifies the car’s grand touring and racing lineage.

“Modificata” describes Ferrari’s tradition of taking an existing platform and introducing extensive modifications designed to push performance beyond the original specification.

The concept is particularly important for Ferrari’s track-only cars because these machines are not constrained by the same technical regulations as competition vehicles.

Ferrari’s Modificata Tradition

The 296 GT Modificata is not the first Ferrari to carry the name.

The modern lineage began with the 488 GT Modificata, introduced in 2020. That car brought together technology and experience developed through the Ferrari 488 GT3 and 488 GTE competition programmes in a track-only package for customers.

Ferrari followed it with the 499P Modificata in 2023.

The 499P Modificata was derived from the 499P Sport Prototype that competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 499P programme also brought the World Endurance Championship overall constructors’ and drivers’ titles back to Maranello in 2025.

The origins of the Modificata name go back considerably further.

The Ferrari 512 M Started It All

Ferrari’s first “Modificata” was the 512 M, introduced in 1970 as an evolution of the 512 S.

The 512 M featured a lighter construction, more powerful V12 engine and revised aerodynamic bodywork. Its engine produced 610 cv, equivalent to 449 kW.

The car made its debut at the Zeltweg circuit before competing in the 1971 Manufacturers’ World Championship.

Ferrari subsequently extended the Modificata designation to road cars.

The F512 M appeared in 1994, followed by the 456M GT in 1998, the 575M Maranello in 2002 and the Portofino M in 2020.

Those cars were road legal, but they followed the same basic philosophy: take an established Ferrari model and introduce meaningful technical and performance upgrades.

The 296 GT Modificata takes that idea back to the extreme end of the spectrum.

Source: Ferrari

NEW CARS

New Lancia Gamma Brings Italian Design and Engineering Back Into the Spotlight

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The new Lancia Gamma has taken another important step toward its market arrival, with the latest generation of Lancia’s flagship model presented at Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The institutional event highlighted not only the importance of Gamma for Lancia’s product strategy, but also the continuing role of Italian design, engineering and manufacturing within Stellantis.

The presentation brought together Adolfo Urso, Italy’s Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Vito Bardi, President of the Basilicata Region, Emanuele Cappellano, Stellantis Enlarged Europe COO, and Antonella Bruno, Managing Director of Stellantis Italy.

For Lancia, however, the new Gamma represents more than another addition to its lineup. The 4.67-meter fastback crossover is intended to return the historic Italian brand to an important segment of the European market while expanding its customer base beyond the smaller Ypsilon.

Lancia Gamma is an Italian-designed, Italian-built model

One of the most important aspects of the new Lancia Gamma is its strong Italian industrial identity.

The model was designed in Turin at the Lancia Design Center under the leadership of Gianni Colonello, Head of Lancia Design. Vehicle development and industrialization were also carried out in Italy, before production moved to Stellantis’ Melfi plant in Basilicata.

The project therefore connects several important parts of Italy’s automotive industry, from designers and engineers to technicians, factory employees and component suppliers.

Approximately 30 Italian suppliers are involved in the Gamma project, with around 10 of them located in Basilicata. That creates a direct connection between the vehicle, the Melfi production facility and the surrounding regional supply chain.

The result is a model that Stellantis sees as an example of how Italian industrial expertise can be transformed into a vehicle designed for international markets.

Emanuele Cappellano, Stellantis Enlarged Europe COO, described Gamma as tangible evidence of Italy’s continuing importance to the company’s industrial strategy.

He also pointed to the wider challenges facing European vehicle manufacturers, particularly the need for policies that support competitiveness, compact vehicles and light commercial vehicles.

Lancia Gamma joins Jeep Compass and DS models at Melfi

The arrival of the new Lancia Gamma further strengthens the strategic importance of the Melfi plant.

The facility is also responsible for producing models including the Jeep Compass, DS N°8 and DS N°7, creating a diverse portfolio of vehicles aimed at international markets.

For Stellantis, Melfi represents an important manufacturing asset because of its combination of production expertise, technology and established industrial infrastructure.

Gamma adds another premium-oriented European product to the plant’s portfolio while simultaneously giving Lancia a significantly larger vehicle than the Ypsilon.

The production strategy also reinforces the relationship between Lancia and its home market. Italy remains the brand’s core market, but Gamma has been developed with broader European ambitions.

New Lancia Gamma expands the brand’s product strategy

The new Gamma arrives at a particularly important moment for Lancia.

Following the introduction of the new Ypsilon and the revival of the legendary HF performance badge, Gamma represents the next major stage in the brand’s wider transformation.

Its 4.67-meter body places it firmly into a larger and highly competitive segment, while its fastback crossover silhouette gives Lancia an opportunity to combine traditional Italian design with the practicality expected from a modern European crossover.

The model is based on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, which allows Lancia to offer both hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

That flexibility is central to Gamma’s strategy. Rather than committing exclusively to battery-electric propulsion, Lancia will offer customers a choice between hybrid and electric versions.

Lancia Gamma hybrid promises more than 1,000 km of range

The hybrid version of the new Lancia Gamma will offer a total driving range of more than 1,000 kilometers.

That figure is particularly significant in a European market where many buyers remain interested in electrification but continue to place a high value on long-distance usability and refueling convenience.

At the other end of the range, the fully electric Gamma will offer up to approximately 740 kilometers of driving range, according to Lancia’s announced specifications.

The combination of hybrid and electric powertrains gives Gamma a broad technical proposition and allows the model to target both traditional customers transitioning toward electrification and buyers already prepared to move to a fully electric vehicle.

375-hp all-wheel-drive Lancia Gamma will lead the range

Performance will also play an important role in the Gamma lineup.

Lancia has confirmed that an all-wheel-drive version producing 375 hp will sit at the top of the range.

The specification gives Gamma a considerably more dynamic character than would normally be associated with a family-oriented crossover, while also creating a clear opportunity for Lancia to connect the new model with the brand’s renewed performance ambitions.

The return of the HF nameplate and Lancia’s renewed involvement in motorsport provide additional context for the development of the high-performance Gamma.

Gamma marks another milestone in Lancia’s 120-year history

The launch of Gamma also coincides with an important anniversary for Lancia.

The brand is celebrating its 120th anniversary, making the new model particularly significant as Lancia attempts to establish a new identity for the modern European market.

Antonella Bruno, Managing Director of Stellantis Italy, described Gamma as a fundamental milestone in Lancia’s evolution.

The model combines several elements that have traditionally defined the brand: Italian design, engineering, manufacturing expertise and an emphasis on creating distinctive automobiles.

For Lancia, the challenge now is to turn those qualities into commercial growth across Europe.

Can Lancia Gamma change the brand’s European fortunes?

Gamma has been conceived to substantially expand Lancia’s potential customer base.

While Ypsilon continues to serve as the brand’s smaller model, Gamma enters a considerably larger segment and is intended to appeal to both private buyers and business customers.

That broad customer strategy is important because Lancia’s future depends on becoming more than a primarily Italian-market brand.

Italy remains its home and core market, but the new Gamma has been developed with a clear European growth strategy. Its combination of fastback styling, electrified powertrains, long-range capability and available all-wheel drive gives Lancia a product designed to compete in one of Europe’s most strategically important vehicle categories.

The new Lancia Gamma is therefore much more than a new crossover. It represents a test of whether the historic Italian marque can successfully combine its design heritage with modern electrification, advanced Stellantis technology and a significantly broader European market strategy.

With production centered in Melfi, design originating in Turin and a supply chain involving dozens of Italian companies, Gamma also serves as a showcase for Italy’s continuing role in the European automotive industry.

If Lancia can translate Gamma’s distinctive design, broad powertrain lineup and premium positioning into strong customer demand, the model could become one of the most important products in the brand’s modern revival.

Source: Lancia

NEW CARS

New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita Brings Open-Air Electric Driving to More Customers

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FIAT is expanding its popular electric city-car family with the introduction of the new Fiat Topolino Dolcevita, bringing open-air driving to more customers while adding another distinctly Italian twist to the brand’s smallest electric model.

Until now, the opening soft-top roof was associated with the exclusive Topolino Vilebrequin Collector’s Edition. With the arrival of the new Topolino Dolcevita, however, that distinctive feature becomes part of the regular Topolino range, making the pleasure of open-air electric mobility considerably more accessible.

Inspired by the carefree spirit of the Italian Dolce Vita, the new Topolino Dolcevita combines the practicality of an enclosed vehicle with the freedom of an open-air driving experience. It is a simple formula, but one that fits the character of the Topolino perfectly.

Fiat Topolino Dolcevita adds an open-air twist

The biggest change for the new Fiat Topolino Dolcevita is, naturally, its opening soft-top roof. Rather than being limited to a special collector model, the feature is now available to a much wider audience.

That gives the Topolino a stronger lifestyle character while preserving the compact electric vehicle’s urban-focused personality. Drivers can enjoy greater exposure to the surroundings when conditions allow, turning everyday city journeys into something a little more enjoyable.

It is also a clever extension of the Topolino concept. This is not an electric vehicle designed around outright performance or long-distance touring. Instead, the Topolino focuses on accessible urban transportation, simplicity and personality.

The Dolcevita version adds another layer to that formula without fundamentally changing what makes the Topolino distinctive.

From Vilebrequin to Dolcevita

The new Fiat Topolino Dolcevita follows a series of increasingly expressive versions of the electric quadricycle.

The Topolino family has evolved from models such as the Corallo and Sport to the highly distinctive Vilebrequin Collector’s Edition. Each version has demonstrated how FIAT can use the tiny electric vehicle as a canvas for different interpretations of Italian urban mobility.

The Dolcevita name is particularly appropriate. It evokes the relaxed, stylish and carefree atmosphere associated with Italy’s famous Dolce Vita era, while the open roof reinforces the connection between the vehicle and the pleasures of outdoor driving.

Rather than treating the soft-top roof as an exclusive novelty, FIAT is now using it to broaden the appeal of the Topolino.

A different approach to electric urban mobility

The Fiat Topolino occupies an unusual position in today’s electric vehicle market.

Instead of attempting to replicate the size, performance and equipment levels of conventional battery-electric cars, the Topolino takes a much smaller and simpler approach. As an electric quadricycle, it is designed primarily for urban environments where compact dimensions and ease of use can be more important than outright range or performance.

That philosophy has helped the Topolino establish a distinctive identity across Europe.

The new Dolcevita version builds on that concept rather than moving away from it. Its open-air configuration gives the vehicle an additional lifestyle dimension while retaining the simple and accessible character that has become central to the Topolino name.

Fiat Topolino continues to gain momentum in Europe

FIAT says the Topolino continues to perform strongly across European markets, reinforcing its position in the growing electric quadricycle segment.

According to the company, Topolino sales have increased by as much as 30 percent compared with the previous year. That growth highlights the continuing demand for small, accessible electric vehicles designed specifically for urban environments.

The Topolino’s appeal also comes from its ability to offer something different from conventional electric cars. Its compact proportions, distinctive styling and limited-speed urban-focused concept make it as much a mobility solution as a traditional automobile.

The introduction of the Dolcevita could broaden that appeal even further by giving customers another reason to choose the Topolino.

Italian style meets electric city mobility

Few electric vehicles take the idea of lifestyle quite as literally as the Fiat Topolino.

The new Dolcevita combines a compact footprint with an open-air driving experience, creating a vehicle that feels particularly suited to relaxed urban journeys. The emphasis is not on speed or performance but on simplicity, accessibility and enjoyment.

That philosophy is consistent with FIAT’s wider approach to the Topolino. From the original model through the Corallo, Sport and Vilebrequin editions, the company has continued to experiment with ways of making the small electric quadricycle more expressive.

The Dolcevita may be the most natural extension of that strategy yet.

New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita: what it means

The arrival of the Fiat Topolino Dolcevita is significant because it takes one of the most desirable features from a limited-edition model and makes it available to a broader group of customers.

The opening soft-top roof was previously one of the defining features of the Topolino Vilebrequin Collector’s Edition. Its introduction to the wider range effectively transforms an exclusive design feature into a more accessible part of the Topolino experience.

For FIAT, it is another example of how the Topolino can evolve without losing its core identity.

For customers, it means there is now another way to experience electric urban mobility: with a roof that can open, a tiny footprint and plenty of Italian character.

The Topolino’s Dolce Vita moment

The Fiat Topolino was never intended to be a conventional electric car, and the new Dolcevita makes that distinction even clearer.

With its opening soft-top roof, compact dimensions and unmistakably Italian personality, the new model adds an element of fun to zero-emission urban transportation. It turns a practical city vehicle into something that is also about the experience of getting around.

As the Topolino family continues to expand across Europe, FIAT is betting that customers will respond not only to the practicality of electric mobility but also to the emotional appeal of a vehicle designed around simplicity and style.

The new Fiat Topolino Dolcevita therefore represents more than another version of the electric quadricycle. It brings open-air driving to a wider audience while reinforcing the idea that affordable urban electric mobility does not have to be dull.

With the Dolce Vita spirit now built into the Topolino range, FIAT is giving its smallest electric vehicle another reason to stand out on Europe’s city streets.

Source: Fiat