Be afraid: Ferrari has unleashed a 720bhp 296 GT ‘Modificata’

Ferrari has revealed a new car. It is called the 296 GT Modificata. It is only available to a special group of Ferrari customers, is limited in its production, and is – to be frank – largely unhinged.

Because this is a Ferrari born from racing – spun off the 296 GT3 Evo and successor to the equally unhinged 488 Modificata – but bins all the bits that makes that GT3 eligible for fair racing. Hence why this Modificata is now much more powerful: 720bhp versus the GT3 Evo’s puny 590bhp. That’s a very healthy, lightly scary increase.

So scary in fact, it’ll lap Fiorano three seconds quicker than that GT3 car. Fiorano is a short, sharp track. Three seconds here is an eternity.

Changes over the GT3 car include new interior componentry for the 2.9-litre V6’s turbos, a new fuel system and additional low pressure pump, new exhaust, and new ratios for the six-speed sequential gearbox. So Ferrari.

There’s more ‘Ferrari’ in the new 296’s aero. This one gets new wings front and back, a new bonnet for better heat dissipation, plus more vents. And more powerful brakes. And an actual passenger seat to scare the wits out of your willing co-pilot. And many sensors to display many racing things. 

And of course the option to spend much more money on options.

“Over the years, the Maranello-based marque has chosen to create extreme versions of some of its existing race or production models; where these are intended for track use only, as they are not bound by the constraints of any technical or motorsports regulations, they can unleash their full potential for performance,” said Ferrari.

“However, there have also been a number of road-going ‘Modificata’ models throughout the history of the Prancing Horse.” This isn’t one of those road-going models, because it’s limited to the track and only for drivers in the Ferrari Club Competizioni GT. Which means buying this thing grants you access to 12 rounds/two years of racing tracks around the world.

Price and build numbers? Well, if you have to ask…