Novitec makes the Ferrari 296 GTS an even more radical and eye-catching "Spider"

Novitec is one of those tuners who carry out their modifications with great enthusiasm, regardless of the sports car they select, but if on top of that it is a sports car designed with an extraordinary balance between design and radicalism, such as the Ferrari 296 GTS, the bet is undoubtedly a winning one. The Germans are specialists in tuning the sports cars from the Maranello house, and the 296 GTS could not be missing from their catalogue.

It is not the first time that a Ferrari 296 has passed through Novitec’s workshops, but the 296 GTB had done so specifically on two occasions, the most recent being at the beginning of this year with a preparation in which carbon fibre was the great protagonist, along with other mechanical touches. Now these components arrive on the convertible version, the 296 GTS, or as Ferrari calls it in its Spider version.

The aerodynamic package created by Novitec has been developed not only to improve the aesthetics of the Ferrari 296 GTS but also to be functional and improve its performance, made in exposed carbon fibre to which a glossy varnish has been applied to make it even more spectacular. With great discretion, a two-part front splitter has been fitted that accentuates the wedge of the 296 GTS’s nose, but also its width, with the two small fins that blend perfectly with side skirts featuring a slightly different design from the originals.

The skirts also perfectly accentuate the new 21-inch wheels for the front axle and 22-inch for the rear, with a design resembling a tuning fork and a centre-lock style, which, incidentally, were developed in collaboration with Vossen. In addition, just ahead of the rear axle we find the striking air intakes for cooling the 296 GTS’s hybrid engine, now featuring a carbon-fibre trim as well as the mirror housings. At the rear, an elaborate rear diffuser fits the radicalism that Novitec wants to bring to this model, accompanied by a spoiler of the “duck tail” type that increases downforce at high speeds.

Furthermore, in its overall view, the Ferrari 296 GTS looks more “flattened” thanks to the new suspension installed by Novitec, which lowers its height by 35 mm. A “problem”, together with the front spoiler, when tackling speed bumps or small kerbs, which Novitec has solved by installing a hydraulic kit that raises the height by 40 mm at the touch of a button inside. To return to normal height, you simply press the button again, or exceed 80 km/h, at which point the system does it automatically.

Mechanically, Ferrari gave the 296 GTS the same hybrid system as the 296 GTB, consisting of a 3,300 cc twin-turbo V6 engine and an MGU-K installed between the engine and the 8-speed DCT gearbox, resulting in a combined output of 830 CV. Novitec raises that power with modifications such as a bespoke intake, a new high-performance exhaust line made of stainless steel or optionally Inconel (both with the option of butterfly valves that vary the sound), changes to the turbo, and a new 100-cell metal catalytic converter, all to extract a combined output of 868 CV.

To round things off, Novitec fits new thermal insulation to reduce the temperature of the engine bay, which can optionally be a 999 fine gold plating, the same plating that can also be applied to the spectacular 102 mm twin exhaust outlets, each one if you don’t like them with the carbon-fibre cladding. Inside, Novitec offers a wide selection of materials, finishes and colours so that each customer can personalise their Ferrari 296 GTS to their taste.