Ferrari’s Gulf Tribute: Six Bespoke 296 GTBs Paint the Middle East
Ferrari just dropped six limited-edition 296 GTBs in Abu Dhabi that make regular Ferraris look downright pedestrian.
Each represents one Gulf nation with a distinct color scheme that would make even the most jaded collector reach for their checkbook.
Gold-Dipped Hybrids for Oil Royalty
The Maranello outfit unveiled these six specials during the Abu Dhabi F1 weekend, celebrating 30 years of selling Italian exotics to oil barons and business magnates across the Gulf.
Each car wears a unique exterior color matching its designated country: green for Saudi Arabia, white for UAE, blue for Oman, maroon for Qatar, black for Bahrain, and brown for Kuwait.
Gold wheels come standard. Because subtlety isn’t what you buy a Ferrari for.
Inside, every car gets Beige Honolulu leather with gold metallic accents. The prancing horse headrest embroidery? Gold, naturally.
Speciale Treatment Arrives in Dubai
Not content with just six special editions, Ferrari also unleashed the 296 Speciale in Dubai this May.
The Speciale cranks the hybrid V6 powertrain to 880 hp – making it the most powerful rear-wheel-drive Ferrari ever built.
It builds on the already formidable 296 GTB platform that delivers 819 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque from its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid setup.
The performance upgrades focus on what matters:
- Motorsport-derived aerodynamics that actually function
- Enhanced chassis response for sharper turn-in
- Recalibrated hybrid system for instantaneous power delivery
Engineering Over Excess
Giorgio Turri, Ferrari’s Middle East General Manager, didn’t waste words about these cars being “revolutionary” or “groundbreaking.”
Instead, he emphasized the driving experience – the visceral connection between driver and machine that Ferrari, at its best, delivers better than anyone.
The 296 platform proves Ferrari’s hybrid strategy isn’t just emissions compliance. It’s weaponized electrification.
These six Gulf editions aren’t just paint jobs. They’re rolling declarations that in a region where automotive excess is the baseline, Ferrari still knows how to stand out.
For those keeping score at home: no, you can’t buy one. They’re already spoken for.
And the 296 Speciale? You’ll need connections, cash, and Ferrari’s approval – the holy trinity of supercar acquisition.
