The Ferrari 296 Challenge, the new sports car for the competition, will debut at Mugello on October 28, 2023. 0

New Ferrari 296 Challenge made its official debut at the Autodromo del Internacional Mugello during the final of the Ferrari 2023 World Championship. Having envisioned some of its characteristics, Maranello presented a new sports car that will participate in the race. Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophymono-brand championship, which has been held for the thirty-second time.

This new model will hit the track for the first time since from the 2024 season, when he will be the protagonist of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli in the international series of Europe and North America; However, from the next sporting year, a debut is also expected in the national series of Great Britain and Japan. For interested teams the price is approximately 360 thousand euros (including VAT).

Compared to the previous 488 Challenge Evo, Prancing Horse’s technicians have taken an important step forward. In fact, compared to what was done before, much more profound changes were made to the Ferrari 296 GTB, from which the racing model was based. Thus, Maranello has created a somewhat extreme product that can significantly improve the performance of the 488 Challenge Evo.

Ferrari has worked extremely carefully on the aerodynamics to allow the car to carry as much load as possible. In its development, Maranello took advantage of the experience gained with the 296 GT3. Overall, the new track sports car can count on 870 kg vertical load at a speed of 250 km/h., with the large rear wing at maximum rake position. So let’s talk about An increase of 18% compared to the 488 Challenge Evo..

On the front axle, the majority of the load is generated primarily by the splitter and the front underbody. The aerodynamics of the rear, however, dominate. from the wing with tilt angle adjustment (7 positions). The front floor has been designed to operate under screen effect conditions in order to maintain a stable flow even at very low altitudes from the ground.

The central section is dominated by the S-Duct, an air duct that connects the lower body to the upper to maximize the efficiency of the central diffuser and reduce the sensitivity of the aerodynamic balance to the 296 Challenge’s lean. At the ends of the splitter, two side wings have been designed, which, for the first time on a closed-wheel racing car, implement a two-element type concept inspired by Formula 1, which defines less load sensitivity to trim changes.

The wing works harmoniously with the rear diffuser and the underbody, which at the rear is equipped with two pairs of vortex generators. Maranello’s technicians worked to develop aerodynamics not only to improve loading, but also to limit changes in vertical load and balance to a minimum, both on the straights and in the corners. This feature, according to Ferrari, allows “maintain a high degree of controllability and predictable response at high speeds, while providing unrivaled performance and driving pleasure.“.

The beating heart of the Ferrari 296 Challenge is Biturbo V6 with a displacement of 2992 cc. capable developing 700 hp (234 hp/l). Compared to the 296 GTB engine, the Challenge version had it. hybrid component removed. This approach allowed us to limit the weight of the machine and reduce the overall complexity fundamental to track applications. The new architecture included the development of a special exhaust line, more linear and located at the top of the engine compartment.

Compared to the engine of the road version, the specialists from Maranello made a number of additional changes to the engine of the racing car. For example, the maximum speed of the turbochargers is increased by 10% to 180,000 rpm, the boost pressure is increased by the same amount, and the spark ignition is moved forward, which provides a slight increase in pressure in the combustion chamber. The increase in power of the V6 engine required additional thermal protection for the engine compartment with special turbo insulation.

The layout of the cooling system was developed based on the decision to exclude the hybrid component. For example, the radiator is located at the front and the HVAC condenser is located in front of it. At the rear, two intercoolers and air filters from the road sibling’s engine are retained. The hood vent is equipped with matching fins that optimize air outlet.

For the new 296 Challenge, Ferrari chose braking system with CCM-R PLUS technology for brake discs with a diameter of 408 mm at the front and 390 mm at the rear. This decision is based directly on experience in the most extreme sports such as Formula 1.

The manufacturing technology uses long-fiber carbon oriented in three dimensions, resulting in a significant increase in resistance (+100%) and thermal conductivity (three times higher) compared to a traditional CCM solution. The braking surfaces are coated with a special ceramic layer of silicon carbide (SiC), which provides increased wear resistance and excellent friction coefficient stability in the most extreme operating conditions.

The service life of the CCM-R PLUS disc is three times longer than that of the previous implant model, without loss of performance throughout the entire period of use. For the new 296 Challenge, Ferrari has also developed the EVO Track electronic brake control ABS system featured on the 296 GTB, which uses information from the 6w-CDS (six-position chassis dynamics sensor) to provide a very precise speed reading to determine the target slippage of each wheel and optimize the distribution of braking. The 296 Challenge is equipped with new Pirelli tires which provide better cornering grip, less wear and more stability during the race.

Finally, in terms of the cockpit, Ferrari has benefited from experience gained both in the monomarque and in GT racing. The 488 Challange Evo racing wheel design has been revived with minor changes. Additionally, the cockpit has been updated with a new bridge control layout designed to keep the most frequently used functions at your fingertips.

To improve driver comfort, the round air conditioning vents have been redesigned, and the seat, derived from the 296 GT3, has been designed to provide better ergonomics, especially in the head, shoulder and elbow areas. The safety design has been studied down to the smallest detail and complies with FIA standards.

MOTOR

• Type V6 – 120° – Turbo – Dry sump
• The total engine capacity is 2992 cc.
• Bore and stroke 88 x 82 mm.
• Maximum power 700 hp at 7500 rpm.
• Maximum torque 740 Nm at 6000 rpm.
• Specific power 234 hp/l
• Maximum speed 8500 rpm.
• Compression ratio 9.4:1

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

• Length 4602 mm
• Width 1958 mm
• Height 1159 mm
• Wheelbase 2600 mm
• Front track 1715 mm
• Rear track 1647 mm.
• Dry weight 1330 kg.
• Tank capacity 140 l.

TIRES AND WHEELS

• Front 280/680 ZR19 J11
• Rear 300/720 ZR19 J12

BRAKES

• Front disc 408 x 233 x 38 mm.
• Rear disc 390 x 265 x 32 mm

TRANSMISSION AND GEARBOX

• 7-speed F1 dual clutch transmission

ELECTRONIC CONTROL

• TC/eDiff, EPS, ABS EVO/EBD