Ferrari appears to be preparing yet another variant of its 296 lineup, and this one looks set to strip away the hybrid hardware that defines the rest of the range. A camouflaged prototype has been spotted testing in Germany, fueling speculation that the Italian automaker is reviving a storied nameplate: the Challenge Stradale.

The 296 family already spans the standard GTB, the convertible GTS, the track-focused Speciale, and the race-only GT Modificata, but Ferrari evidently believes there's still room to expand further. The Challenge Stradale name dates back to the early 2000s, when it was first used on an extreme edition of the 360. Since then, the badge's spirit has lived on through cars like the 430 Scuderia, the 458 Speciale, the 488 Pista, and now the 296 Speciale. The 296 Challenge Stradale is shaping up to be the true successor to that lineage, and Ferrari has reportedly already trademarked the name.

The prototype caught testing wears heavy red camouflage across its front and rear sections, but enough of the car's profile, greenhouse, and lighting elements are visible to confirm its 296 underpinnings. It's believed the road-legal model will essentially translate the track-only 296 Challenge racer — or possibly its upcoming Evo version — for public roads, separate from the FIA-regulated 296 GT3.

Expect reworked bumpers and aerodynamic touches aimed at shaving lap times, along with side skirts that differ subtly from those on the 296 Speciale. Around back, the test car sports a pair of raised, round exhaust tips, which are likely placeholders. There's no visible fixed rear wing yet, though that could still appear before production. As with past Ferrari mules, the oversized camouflage panels are mainly there to disguise the finished bodywork underneath.

The bigger story may be under the hood. Reports suggest the 296 Challenge Stradale will abandon the plug-in hybrid setup used throughout the rest of the lineup in favor of a non-electrified twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. Going by the unrestricted track-only GT Modificata, that engine could be tuned to deliver as much as 720 horsepower (537 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque — notably less than the 296 Speciale's combined 868 horsepower (647 kW), but with the trade-off of significantly reduced weight from losing the battery and motor components.

If the rumors hold, the 296 Challenge Stradale could make its official debut in 2027, giving Ferrari enthusiasts another limited-run, mid-engined supercar to covet.

Source: Carscoops

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