The Ferrari 296 Speciale and Lamborghini Revuelto are probably the world’s most impressive plug-in hybrid supercars. The V12 and the three electric motors of the Revuelto make it far heavier, while the 296 Speciale is low on power, but also on weight. So which one reigns supreme in the plug-in-hybrid supercar world?
They both look like they eat SUVs and crossovers for breakfast. They both come from worlds of performance. And they are both electrified. They sound like the perfect rivals, but are they really that similar at the end of the drag strip?
The Ferrari 296 Speciale is powered by a plug-in system that integrates a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, working alongside a single, Formula One-derived MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit, Kinetic) dual-rotor electric motor. Together, they produce 868 horsepower (880 metric horsepower) and 557 pound-feet (755 Newton meters) of torque.
Those are enough to make it rocket from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 2.7 seconds, run the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds with a trap speed of 151 mph (243 kph), and max out at 205 mph (330 kph). A Formula One-derived, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission puts the power through the rear wheels with the help of an electronic differential.
Photo: Carwow | YouTube
The plug-in hybrid system has to push forward 3,109 pounds (1,410 kilograms). A high-performance track-focused braking system, with massive carbon-ceramic ventilated discs, controlled by an advanced electronic brake-by-wire system, provides the stopping power.
In the meantime, its Lamborghini-badged rival, the Revuelto, rolled off the production line in Sant’Agata Bolognese with a plug-in hybrid setup that integrates a 6.5-liter V12 with naturally aspirated firepower and three electric motors, with two mounted on the front axle, independently driving the four wheels, and one integrated directly into the rear-mounted eight-speed dual-clutch auto box.
The system pumps out 1,001 horsepower (1,015 metric horsepower) and 783 pound-feet (1,062 Newton meters) of torque. It makes the Revuelto rocket from 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds quicker than the Ferrari 296 Speciale, run the quarter mile in just 9.4 seconds at 146 mph (235 kph), and top out at 218 mph (350 kph).
An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission throws the power to the pavement in an all-wheel-drive setup. The Revuelto, with its three electric motors, weighs more than the 296 Speciale: 3,907 pounds (1,772 kilograms), but has way more power and all-wheel drive. So which one is it going to be the winner that takes it all?
Photo: Carwow | YouTube
Because there is only one way to determine the fastest of Maranello’s and Sant’Agata Bolognese’s plug-in hybrids, Mat Watson of Carwow took both to the track and let them race. Which is the absolute king down the straights, and which brakes better?
The Ferrari 296 Speciale: Base MSRP starts at $475,364, while the Lamborghini Revuelto is a $608,358 deal in America, before options and taxes. Due to Ferrari’s Atelier/Tailor Made programs and Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customization, heavily optioned builds (adding carbon fiber packages, custom paint, and titanium components) routinely inflate the final window sticker by $100,000 to $200,000.
Because production slots for these hyper-hybrids are heavily restricted, early-delivery vehicles on the used exotic market carry massive premiums. For example, the first pre-owned 296 Speciale models entering the US market have seen asking prices as high as $1.9 million.
Joe is the owner of the Ferrari. He has just bought the car and has already taken it to the racetrack. He’s got less power on his hands but also less weight, and that is what he is counting on. He surely wins the attention race: his Ferrari is finished in purple, which Ferrari calls Viola 51, and features racing stripes in Rosso Corsa, while the Lamborghini wears what seems to be the Nero Nemesis.
Photo: Carwow | YouTube
Mat drives the Lamborghini Revuelto, while Joe handles his own car, the Ferrari 296 Speciale. On the first pass, the Revuelto rockets off the line and seems to be powerful enough to win. But the 296 Speciale immediately makes up for the lost time and ground for what seems to be a photo finish.
The roll race down the half mile is up next. They start in the sportiest drive mode (the Qualify for the Ferrari and the Corsa for the Lamborghini) and are ready to launch at 30 mph (48 kph) in third gear. This time, it is the Ferrari’s turn to behave like a land rocket right from the get-go, leaving Mat Watson horror-struck. What has just happened?
They try a roll race starting in second gear, as Mat hopes that his turbos will kick in at the right time. His strategy works and puts him in the lead, while it is Joe’s turn to try to keep up in his plug-in hybrid purple Ferrari.
Then, to test the hybrid torque, they launch from 50 (80 kph) or 60 mph (97 kph) in eighth gear. At launch, Mat waves goodbye to Joe as he leaves him behind and unable to recover, so the Lambo wins again to crown itself the king of the roll races.
Photo: Carwow | YouTube
Then, Mat and Joe switch to manual mode. Once again, the extra power that the Lamborghini comes with puts it in the lead, despite the heavier frame. But Mat has to admit: that 296 Speciale looks great in his rearview mirror. Joe complains his gearbox shits strange. However, Mat loses the braking test, as his Lamborghini pays tribute to the extra weight.
History repeats itself in the next roll race, as it is a photo finish once again. But the cameraman saw it best: it was the Ferrari the winning car. Mat shoots ahead in the second race, but the Ferrari builds up speed and makes up for the lost ground, for a photo finish again. But the numbers are quite relevant. The Lamborghini Revuelto took 10.0 seconds for the quarter mile, while the Ferrari needed 10.2 seconds for the run.
At the end of the day, it is next to impossible to pick the winner. The Lamborghini Revuelto is far more powerful, but it is also the heavier of the two, while the Ferrari 296 Speciale shows that it is always brain over brawn.
