Ferrari 296 GTB: Electrifying Performance Meets Timeless Italian Prowess in the Hybrid Supercar Era
For over a decade, the supercar landscape has been in a perpetual state of evolution. As an industry veteran with a decade immersed in this thrilling domain, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts that have redefined automotive excellence. One of the most profound transformations has been the integration of hybrid powertrains, a move that initially sparked debate but has ultimately ushered in an era of unprecedented performance and technological sophistication. Within this exciting new paradigm, the Ferrari 296 GTB stands as a beacon of innovation, a testament to Maranello’s enduring commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Even as formidable rivals like the rumored Lamborghini Temerario emerge, the 296 GTB continues to captivate with its mind-blowing capabilities.
The arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB in 2022 marked a significant departure from tradition for the iconic Italian marque. Forsaking the multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8 that had powered its predecessors, Ferrari embarked on a bold new path, introducing a revolutionary twin-turbocharged V6 engine augmented by an electric motor. This strategic pivot placed the 296 GTB at the vanguard of a rapidly advancing supercar segment, one still in the nascent stages of embracing full hybridisation.
In its initial competitive arena, the 296 GTB squared off against the likes of the Lamborghini Huracán, a purist’s dream powered by a sonorous, naturally aspirated V10. While the Huracán offered unparalleled V10 charisma and a symphony of raw engine notes, it couldn’t match the sheer horsepower of its electrified adversary. The McLaren 720S, with its potent twin-turbo V8, also presented a formidable challenge. While the subsequent McLaren 750S refines an already successful formula, focusing on its power-to-weight supremacy, the whispers of Lamborghini’s 903bhp, 10,000rpm twin-turbo V8 hybrid, codenamed Temerario, signal a direct and uncompromising riposte to Maranello’s 819bhp electrified Berlinetta.
Indeed, the Ferrari 296 GTB is a powerhouse, a true feat of engineering that redefines performance benchmarks. Its all-new, 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine, seamlessly integrated with an electric motor, drives exclusively the rear wheels. This configuration, unlike the four-wheel-drive SF90 Stradale, contributes to its agile character. The resulting 819bhp output from the combined powertrain was nothing short of revolutionary, shattering conventional supercar expectations.
It’s easy to become fixated on such stratospheric power figures, pondering the ultimate limits of such performance escalation and, more pragmatically, where one might realistically deploy such velocity. However, the 296 GTB’s significance extends far beyond raw numbers. It represents the first V6-powered Ferrari road car, a spiritual successor to the beloved 246 GT Dino, though the Dino never bore the iconic Prancing Horse emblem during its production run. Furthermore, it pioneers Ferrari’s “hot-vee” turbocharger layout and boasts plug-in hybrid capabilities, offering an impressive all-electric range of approximately 15 miles. The compact V6 is positioned low within a new aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase reduced by 50mm compared to its V8-engined predecessors, with occupants seated slightly further forward to optimize weight distribution.
The electric motor alone contributes a formidable 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 engine independently churns out a remarkable 654bhp and 546lb ft. The combined output culminates in the headline-grabbing 819bhp figure. Ferrari, wisely, refrains from quoting a peak combined torque figure, likely due to the intricate interplay between the internal combustion engine and electric motor. Nevertheless, it is safe to assume this combined torque figure is nothing short of immense. Weighing approximately 30kg less than a comparable V8 engine, the V6 is mated to an exquisite eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a sleek oblong structure, is strategically housed behind the seats, ensuring optimal weight balance.
No Ferrari would be complete without an arsenal of advanced electronic chassis control systems, and the 296 GTB is no exception. Ferrari has developed an innovative six-axis sensor, dubbed the 6w-CDS (six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor), capable of precisely measuring acceleration and rotational velocity across the X, Y, and Z planes. This advanced sensor replaces conventional yaw sensors and, working in conjunction with a sensor on the steering rack, provides the car with an unparalleled understanding of both driver inputs and tire grip levels at the contact patch. This data allows the car to finely tune systems such as Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff, maximizing cornering speeds while maintaining unwavering stability and driver confidence. It also enables a groundbreaking new system, ABS-evo, available in RACE mode and above. Utilizing the 296’s brake-by-wire technology, ABS-evo significantly reduces braking distances and enhances braking performance, particularly during trail braking into corners.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari is employing its active aerodynamics not to reduce drag, but to actively generate downforce. The company claims an impressive 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with up to 100kg of this generated by a deployable rear wing.
The aerodynamic efficiency of the Ferrari 296 GTB is a masterclass in integrated design. Two radiators in the front are dedicated to engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two additional condensers for battery thermal management. Hot air is expertly expelled from beneath the car, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the flow of cool air directed towards the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. Small apertures below the headlights are ingeniously designed to channel air towards the brakes for optimal cooling, while a roofline-integrated rear wing creates a “virtual” rear screen, efficiently guiding airflow to the car’s posterior as if sculpted by a physical surface. The majority of the 296’s downforce is generated from beneath the car, where meticulous attention has been paid not only to air channeling and the rear diffuser but also to maintaining the optimal underbody height to maximize the effectiveness of these downforce-generating surfaces.
The limited circuits on which we first experienced the 296 GTB were exclusively fitted with the Assetto Fiorano package. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with specialized Multimatic units, derived from GT racing technology, and incorporates additional carbon fiber aerodynamic elements on the front end, boosting front downforce by 20kg. The package also introduces more carbon fiber within the cabin, such as the door panels, and on the exterior, contributing to a further 12kg weight saving. This can be extended to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. As a further enhancement for Assetto Fiorano equipped cars, customers can opt for Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S. Owners of Fiorano models can also personalize their vehicles with an exterior graphics package, paying homage to the iconic liveries seen on the 250LM in the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 “in the metal,” it’s undeniable that its aesthetic appeal is extraordinary. It possesses a unique character, distinct from anything else on the road, and its retro styling subtly evokes the spirit of the 250LM, even without the more overt graphics package.
Performance and Acceleration: A Hybrid Symphony of Speed
Initiating the driving experience is a simple double-press of the lower section of the steering wheel boss, followed by engaging first gear. The 296 GTB defaults to Hybrid mode, allowing for silent, electric-only propulsion from a standstill, unless otherwise dictated by driver input. By judiciously managing throttle application, the car can maintain electric-only operation, provided sufficient battery charge is available. Drivers can also explicitly select EV mode, overriding all other powertrain demands. Further driving modes include Performance and Qualifying. In these settings, both the V6 engine and electric motor operate in tandem. Performance mode prioritizes sustained power delivery while also managing battery charge, whereas Qualifying mode unleashes the absolute pinnacle of performance, irrespective of the battery’s state of charge.
The experience of gliding silently through picturesque villages is an unexpected delight, complemented by a remarkably sophisticated damping system that transforms the cabin into a surprisingly comfortable environment for covering long distances. The “frunk” offers a respectable luggage capacity, a welcome convenience absent in the SF90. However, the true question on everyone’s mind – both yours and mine – is how this hybrid marvel truly performs when both the engine and electric motor are unleashed to their full potential.
The answer lies in what happens when you floor the throttle at low revs in a high gear. The Ferrari 296 GTB simply surges forward with an astonishing lack of lag, causing one to momentarily question the very necessity of gears, such is its immediate potency. Yet, with eight gears at its disposal and an engine that willingly revs to an electrifying 8500rpm, the full unleashing of the 296’s capabilities is an absolutely startling experience.
As the performance figures suggest – a breathtaking 0-62mph sprint in a mere 2.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 205mph – the rate of acceleration is of the “hold-on-tight” variety, bordering on overwhelming yet undeniably addictive. This is a car of immense speed, and it sounds magnificent too, with a captivating blend of turbocharger effects overlaying the melodic rasp of the V6.
Ride and Handling: Precision and Playfulness Redefined
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is the astonishing responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s assertion that the car was engineered to be “fun to drive” is no idle claim. It exhibits a remarkable agility without ever feeling skittish. The steering, as is typical of Ferrari, is light and quick, yet it also conveys a wealth of tactile information. While grip levels are predictably immense, the car remains delightfully throttle-adjustable, eliciting an irrepressible grin with every input.
Despite its dry weight of 1470kg, the 296 GTB feels significantly lighter. There’s a palpable absence of inertia throughout the entire vehicle, encouraging an intuitive, symbiotic driving style. Small, precise inputs are met with immediate and accurate responses, rewarding the driver with an unparalleled sense of connection. Engaging CT Off mode allows for extraordinary liberties, underpinned by the reassuring presence of an intelligent electronic guardian. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the 296’s inherent balance allows it to be teased into oversteer with a grace and predictability that belies its 819bhp output.
On the circuit, the 296 possesses the uncanny ability to compress even the longest straights. What becomes even more apparent is its surgical precision. While the power is readily available to break rear traction at numerous points around the lap, the 296 also responds acutely to braking and steering inputs, teaching the driver that precision is the key to unlocking its true potential. The turn-in accuracy and response are phenomenal, dramatically shortening the entry phase of every corner. Rather than gradually loading the chassis, the 296 settles into its line instantaneously, aided by the Multimatic dampers and the hyper-quick steering, which perfectly complements the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even for drivers accustomed to more conventional sports cars, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the 296 GTB are simply phenomenal, offering an exhilarating experience lap after lap.
Interior: A Digital Frontier
The cabin architecture will feel familiar to anyone who has experienced the SF90 Stradale, as the 296 inherits much of its design language. The fully digital interface and its accompanying haptic switchgear, liberally applied to the steering wheel and the traditional Ferrari stalks flanking it, present a learning curve. While undoubtedly complex, there is a vast amount of information to convey. However, the primary frustration arises when simple operations occasionally require a second press to register or when it’s unclear if an input has been successfully acknowledged. Despite these minor ergonomic challenges, the cabin undeniably feels like a special place to inhabit.
The Verdict: A Return to Form and the Future of Supercars
The Ferrari 296 GTB represents a profound statement in the evolution of the supercar. While the SF90 Stradale impressed with its raw power, it sometimes left us feeling somewhat detached from the driving experience due to its more demanding characteristics. The 296 GTB, however, is a different proposition altogether. As evidenced by its strong performance in the evo Car of the Year 2022 awards, where it secured a joint third place alongside the McLaren Artura, it strikes a harmonious balance. Its blend of electrifying power and engaging dynamics hits a sweet spot, redefining what a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket can achieve. The anticipation for a potential Versione Speciale variant, promising even greater intensity and performance, is palpable. The hope, of course, is that this enhanced model retains the 296’s inexplicably natural and connected driving feel.
It is this very aspect of the 296 GTB’s character that we hope Lamborghini has prioritized in the development of its hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an almost obscene amount of power for a series-production supercar, and it has the potential to overwhelm the chassis if not meticulously integrated. If Lamborghini has succeeded in harnessing this power effectively – and their track record with the Revuelto provides ample reason for optimism – we could be on the cusp of an epic twin test, potentially against a machine boasting around 1700bhp.
Adding further intrigue, a triple-threat showdown could involve the McLaren 750S, which, by comparison, appears almost diminutive with its 740bhp. However, the McLaren counters with a remarkably lithe 1389kg kerb weight, resulting in a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s raw, visceral appeal, ergonomic perfection, razor-sharp steering, and exquisitely balanced chassis offer a distinct contrast to the relatively more detached Ferrari.
Ferrari 296 GTB Key Specifications:
Engine: 2992cc V6, twin-turbocharged, augmented by electric motor
Transmission: Eight-speed, dual-clutch, active E-diff
Combined Power: 819bhp @ 8000rpm
Combined Torque: 546lb ft @ 6250rpm
Weight: 1470kg (dry) (566bhp/ton)
0-62mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 205mph
Estimated Price: £250,000+
The Ferrari 296 GTB isn’t just a car; it’s a declaration of intent, a fusion of tradition and innovation that sets a new benchmark for hybrid supercars. It invites you to experience the future of performance, where electrifying power meets the soul-stirring allure of Italian engineering.
Ready to explore the pinnacle of hybrid supercar performance? Discover the Ferrari 296 GTB for yourself and experience the future of automotive exhilaration firsthand.
