A while back Ferrari promised it would be more unpredictable in the future. Indeed, most of us were quite surprised when we learned that the next mid-engine Ferrari – the 296 GTB - would be a V-6 plug-in hybrid. We were even more surprised (or less so) that Ferrari is also working on an SUV. Some things, however, never change, as Ferrari’s mid-engine models have almost always been offered as a Berlinetta (coupe) and a Spider. Now, the Ferrari GTB’s open-top counterpart – the 296 GTS – seems to be almost ready to hit the market.

The latest footage confirms that a production Ferrari 296 GTS is very close to completion. Those who want to feel the winds in their hair (or lack thereof) will soon be able to get Ferrari’s latest mid-engine supercar with a retractable hardtop.

The spy shots show us a fully camouflaged prototype, but the lines of the convertible top are clearly visible.

The chassis rigidity of the 296 GTS should be strong enough not to require additional bracing, but judging from previous open-top Ferrari models, we expect a weight penalty of around 220 pounds (100 kg) compared to the 296 GTB. That said, we don’t think the 296 GTS will be far off (if at all) from the 2.8-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time and 206 mph (330 km/h) top speed of its sibling, the Ferrari 296 GTB.

The interior is also expected to be the same, although less aggressive and more GT-oriented seats are not out of the question, as we have seen it in previous Spider variants of mid-engine Ferrari models.

Of course, we are going to have to wait until the car’s official debut to find out for sure what the 296 GTS would offer and how it would stack up to the 296 GTB in terms of performance and price. The open-top Ferrari is expected to be unveiled around the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022.