296 GT3 Evo Archives - Brochureshub

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

Three years after Ferrari’s dramatic reveal of the 296 GT3 at the iconic 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the Prancing Horse returns to Belgium’s Ardennes forest with another evolutionary leap — the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. The legendary GT endurance race, a mainstay of the global calendar, once again plays host as Ferrari debuts its upgraded GT3 challenger, refined through the crucible of international motorsport.

A Proven Pedigree, Refined

Ferrari didn’t start from scratch. The 296 GT3 Evo is built on a foundation already proven on the world stage. Since its 2022 debut, the 296 GT3 has claimed five major titles, including a dominant run in the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup’s Pro class, while also securing victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In just 343 races, it has amassed 140 wins, 405 podiums, and 56 pole positions — a staggering resume that few GT cars in history can match.

This new Evo version is the result of an intensive development process that combines customer feedback, two seasons of competition data, and the technical insights from Ferrari’s LMGT3 program in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Powertrain: Familiar Heart, Sharper Tools

Under the skin, the 3.0-liter 120° twin-turbo V6 remains untouched — and rightly so. Praised for its compactness, weight balance, and explosive torque delivery, the engine continues to be mounted lower and farther forward than in the road-going 296 GTB, contributing to a lower center of gravity and improved chassis stiffness. The unit is tilted by two degrees to enhance diffuser packaging, a critical element for aero efficiency.

Where evolution takes hold is in the gearbox. Engineers have introduced an optimized gear ratio cascade, fine-tuned for better torque delivery across a broader speed range. The changes reflect two years of racing telemetry, helping to make the Evo more versatile on diverse circuits and conditions.

Aerodynamics: Fighting in the Slipstream

The biggest leap comes in aerodynamics. While the 296 GT3 already maxed out vertical load under current GT3 regulations, Ferrari’s team zeroed in on aerodynamic stability — particularly in traffic. Endurance racing often forces cars to run in dirty air, and the Evo is better equipped to cope.

Key updates include:

A revised front splitter and floor, optimized vortex generators, and new bumper appendages.
A redesigned rear diffuser, with more efficient channeling and expansion volumes.
New front wheel arch louvers, improving rear intake airflow even while drafting.

Ferrari has leaned heavily on CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing, improving its ability to model complex airflow scenarios. The result is a car that holds its aerodynamic balance in the most chaotic racing conditions, offering drivers greater confidence and consistency.

Functional Changes You Can See

Visually, the Evo introduces dual front bonnet intakes, enhancing cockpit and brake cooling — now delivering 20% more airflow to the front discs. Also borrowed from the LMGT3 is a redesigned rear wing, now featuring a quick-adjust system first seen on the WEC car, allowing for tool-less angle changes during setup or in pit lane.

Other key exterior tweaks include:

A revised rear wheel arch, adapted to accommodate a wider variety of tire types.
Repositioned mirrors, now angled and mounted for better visibility and reduced vibration — a direct result of vibration frequency analysis and CFD studies.

Chassis, Suspension & Driver Focus

Mechanical changes aren’t forgotten. The Evo benefits from new suspension kinematics front and rear, aimed at reducing component loads and improving reliability. The changes also simplify setup work in the pits — a nod to Ferrari’s continued commitment to “modularity” in race operations.

Inside, the driver-centric cockpit retains its core philosophy: intuitive controls, strong ergonomics, and robust safety. However, Ferrari has addressed one key comfort issue: air conditioning performance. A new supplemental fan boosts airflow, crucial for driver stamina in endurance stints.

Future-Proofed for 2026 and Beyond

With homologation pending final aero tweaks, the 296 GT3 Evo will make its racing debut in the 2026 season. Importantly for Ferrari’s global customer base, the Evo will also be offered as a retrofit kit, ensuring current 296 GT3 teams can upgrade without investing in a whole new chassis.