Ferrari 296 GTB: Electrifying Performance Meets Timeless Ferrari DNA
For a decade now, the automotive landscape has been in constant flux, a symphony of combustion engines and evolving electrification. As an industry observer with ten years immersed in this dynamic sector, I’ve witnessed firsthand the monumental shifts shaping the future of performance vehicles. The Ferrari 296 GTB, a groundbreaking hybrid supercar, represents a pivotal moment in this evolution. While it’s been gracing our roads for a couple of years, its impact remains as potent as ever, especially as formidable rivals like the Lamborghini Temerario loom on the horizon, pushing the boundaries of hybrid supercar performance with claims of 10,000rpm and a staggering 903bhp.
The arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB in 2022 marked a significant departure from Ferrari’s established mid-engined supercar formula. It eschewed the multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8, a cornerstone of their recent performance identity, in favor of a novel twin-turbo V6 augmented by electric power. This bold move positioned the 296 GTB at the vanguard of a supercar segment that, at the time, was only beginning to embrace the complexities of hybrid integration. Its initial competitive set included the Lamborghini Huracán, a champion of naturally-aspirated V10 charisma and raw auditory delight, and the ferocious McLaren 720S, which relied on its own formidable twin-turbo V8. While the McLaren 750S represents an evolutionary refinement, prioritizing power-to-weight superiority, the anticipated 903bhp, 10,000rpm hybrid Temerario from Lamborghini is clearly positioned as a direct counterpoint to Maranello’s 819bhp hybrid Berlinetta.
Indeed, the Ferrari 296 GTB boasts truly astonishing firepower. Its all-new, 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine, coupled with an electric motor, drives the rear wheels exclusively – a departure from the all-wheel-drive setup of the SF90. The combined output of 819bhp signifies a profound redefinition of supercar conventions. It’s easy to become mesmerized by such colossal power figures and ponder the ultimate trajectory of performance escalation. One also inevitably questions the practical applications of such prodigious velocity in everyday driving scenarios. However, these are discussions for another time.
The 296 GTB stands as the first V6-powered road-going Ferrari (the iconic 246 GT Dino, while sensational, never bore the Prancing Horse emblem during its production run). It also pioneers Ferrari’s ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger configuration and integrates a plug-in hybrid system, offering an all-electric range of approximately 15 miles. This compact V6 is strategically mounted low within a newly developed aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase shortened by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, with occupants positioned slightly further forward. The electric motor contributes a substantial 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 alone unleashes a remarkable 654bhp and 546lb ft. The headline 819bhp figure is the culmination of this combined effort. Ferrari, perhaps due to the intricate interplay between the V6 and electric motor, abstains from quoting a peak combined torque figure. However, it’s safe to assume this combined torque output is nothing short of monumental. Overall, the V6 saves a commendable 30kg over a comparable Ferrari V8 and is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a long, slender structure, is neatly housed behind the seats.
No Ferrari would be complete without an arsenal of sophisticated electronic chassis control systems. For the 296, Ferrari has engineered a six-axis sensor array, dubbed the 6w-CDS (six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor). This advanced system meticulously measures acceleration and rotational velocity across the X, Y, and Z planes. It effectively replaces traditional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor integrated into the steering rack, the 6w-CDS grants the car an unparalleled understanding of driver input and real-time grip levels at the tire contact patch. This data is then utilized to optimize systems like Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff, maximizing cornering speeds without compromising stability or driver confidence. Furthermore, this integration enables a novel system known as ABS-evo. Activated in RACE mode and above, ABS-evo, leveraging the 296’s brake-by-wire architecture, not only reduces braking distances but also enhances braking performance during trail-braking maneuvers into corners.
For the first time, Ferrari has deployed its active aerodynamics technology not for drag reduction, but for generating downforce. The manufacturer claims an impressive 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with up to 100kg of that attributed to the deployable rear wing. The front of the car houses two radiators dedicated to engine and gearbox cooling, complemented by two additional condensers for battery thermal management. Hot air is expertly expelled beneath the car, ensuring it does not interfere with the airflow directed to the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. The discreet apertures located below the headlamps are engineered to draw in air for brake cooling. The wing integrated into the roofline plays a crucial role in creating a ‘virtual’ rear screen, effectively channeling air towards the car’s rear as if guided by a sculpted surface. The majority of the 296’s downforce is generated from the underbody, where meticulous attention has been paid not only to airflow management and the rear diffuser but also to the critical ground clearance, thereby maximizing the efficacy of the downforce-generating surfaces.
The Ferrari 296 GTB examples we experienced during the launch event were all equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This performance-oriented option replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units, derived from those employed in GT racing. It also introduces additional carbon fiber aerodynamic enhancements to the front fascia, boosting front-end downforce by an additional 20kg. The interior benefits from further carbon fiber applications, such as the door panels, and the exterior also sees increased carbon usage, contributing to an overall weight reduction of 12kg. This saving can be extended to 15kg with the optional Lexan rear engine cover. A further enhancement available with the Fiorano package is the option of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S. Fiorano-equipped cars can also be specified with an exterior graphic package inspired by the iconic 250LM from the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time observing and interacting with the Ferrari 296 GTB in person, I can attest to its striking aesthetic appeal. It possesses a distinct visual identity, a departure from anything else on the road, and subtly evokes the spirit of the 1960s 250LM, even without the more pronounced graphic schemes.
Performance and Acceleration: A New Benchmark
Initiating movement in the Ferrari 296 GTB is a straightforward process: a double press of the lower button on the steering wheel boss followed by engaging first gear. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, allowing it to pull away using electric power alone unless overridden by the driver via the haptic mode selectors on the left side of the steering wheel. Provided throttle application remains measured, the 296 will continue on electric power, assuming sufficient battery charge.
The driver can also elect to ‘force’ the car into pure EV mode, irrespective of powertrain demands. Beyond this, there are Performance and Qualifying modes. In these modes, both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor operate in tandem. Performance mode aims to maintain battery charge while delivering exhilarating acceleration, whereas Qualifying mode prioritizes absolute maximum performance, disregarding the battery’s state of charge.
The serene experience of gliding silently through urban environments is a surprisingly welcome facet of the Ferrari 296 GTB. The damping calibration is so refined that it provides a remarkably comfortable platform for covering long distances. Moreover, there’s a practical luggage compartment located in the front ‘frunk,’ a welcome addition absent in the SF90. However, the true heart of the matter for enthusiasts like ourselves lies in the sensation of unleashing both the engine and the electric motor to their full potential.
The inherent potency of the 296 GTB is immediately apparent when planting the throttle at low revs in a higher gear. The car surges forward with absolutely no discernable lag, prompting a momentary reconsideration of the necessity of gear changes, such is its immediate and overwhelming thrust. Nevertheless, there are eight gears to exploit, and an engine that revs to an impressive 8500rpm. When the Ferrari 296 GTB truly unleashes its capabilities, the effect is nothing short of startling.
As the performance metrics suggest, the rate of acceleration is of the ‘hold-on-tight’ variety, bordering on the intense, yet paradoxically addictive. This is a car of exceptional velocity. Its auditory character is equally compelling, with a harmonious blend of turbocharger effects overlaying the tuneful rasp of the V6. The 0-62mph sprint is completed in a mere 2.9 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 205mph, underscoring its hypercar credentials.
Dynamics and Handling: Precision Redefined
What truly elevates the Ferrari 296 GTB is the remarkable responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s assertion that the car’s primary objective was to be ‘fun to drive’ is unequivocally validated. It exhibits exceptional agility without succumbing to nervous instability. The steering, typically light and rapid, also conveys a surprising level of tactile feedback. While grip levels are predictably immense, the car’s delightful adjustability on the throttle is guaranteed to elicit broad smiles.
Despite its dry weight of 1470kg, the 296 GTB feels considerably lighter. There’s a palpable absence of inertia that encourages the driver to engage intimately with the vehicle, employing subtle inputs and reveling in its precision and accuracy. The CT Off (Control Traction Off) mode allows for audacious maneuvers, yet provides the underlying reassurance of an intelligent electronic safety net. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the inherent balance of the Ferrari 296 GTB allows for controlled oversteer, an astonishing feat in a car producing 819bhp.
On a circuit, the 296 GTB possesses the ability to make even lengthy straights feel diminished. What becomes even more apparent is its surgical precision. The power is readily available to break traction at the rear at numerous points around the track, but the 296 is also acutely sensitive to braking and steering inputs. It quickly becomes evident that precision in control inputs yields the most profound rewards. The astonishing turn-in accuracy and response dramatically abbreviate the entry phase of every corner. Instead of easing into turns and allowing load to build, the 296 establishes its line instantaneously, aided by its Multimatic dampers. The hyper-quick steering harmonizes beautifully with the enhanced roll support provided by the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even for drivers accustomed to more mature sports cars, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the Ferrari 296 GTB are phenomenal and a constant source of joy, lap after lap.
Interior Design: A Fusion of Familiarity and Future Tech
The cabin architecture of the Ferrari 296 GTB will be instantly recognizable to those familiar with the SF90, as it adopts many of that car’s design cues. The entirely digital interface and its accompanying haptic switchgear, liberally distributed across the steering wheel and traditional Ferrari pods flanking it, present a unique, albeit occasionally challenging, user experience.
While undeniably complex, it’s important to acknowledge the sheer volume of information and functionality being conveyed. The primary frustration arises when simple operations sometimes require a second attempt to register, or when there’s ambiguity about whether an input has been successfully received. Nevertheless, the overall sensation is that of being within a truly special environment.
Verdict: A Return to Form and the Future of Supercars
In the highly competitive arena of performance vehicles, the risk often exists that an abundance of technology can lead to a sum of parts less than its potential. This was a sentiment we encountered with the SF90, which, while dazzling in its power output, could sometimes feel somewhat detached in its driving characteristics.
However, the Ferrari 296 GTB represents a distinct evolution. Its commendable performance at the 2022 evo Car of the Year awards, where it shared joint third place with the McLaren Artura, highlighted its more organic feel. Its harmonious blend of raw power and engaging dynamics strikes a perfect chord, fundamentally redefining expectations for a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket. A forthcoming Versione Speciale variant of the 296 is anticipated to deliver even greater power, performance, and intensity. Our sincere hope is that the standard 296’s remarkably natural driving feel is preserved.
It is this core aspect – the natural, intuitive driving experience – that we fervently hope Lamborghini has prioritized when honing its hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an almost obscene amount of power for a series-production supercar. Without a meticulously resolved chassis to manage it, such power can become overwhelming. If Lamborghini has achieved the right balance – and their success with the Revuelto certainly offers grounds for optimism – then we are poised for an extraordinary twin-test showdown. The prospect of a 1700bhp Lamborghini Temerario going head-to-head with the 819bhp Ferrari 296 GTB is a thrilling one, promising a spectacle of automotive engineering and performance.
Alternatively, one could even envision a 2400bhp triple threat, incorporating the McLaren 750S. This latter car, perhaps now quaintly described as the ‘minnow’ of the group with its 740bhp, compensates with a relatively lithe 1389kg kerb weight, delivering a competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s raw character, ergonomic excellence, crisp steering, and chassis finesse undeniably set it apart from the comparatively more distant feel of the Ferrari. The Ferrari 296 GTB is not just a car; it’s a statement about the future of performance driving.
Specifications: Ferrari 296 GTB
Engine: 2992cc, twin-turbocharged V6, plus 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
Price: £250,000+
The Ferrari 296 GTB represents a bold leap forward, demonstrating that electrification can enhance, rather than detract from, the visceral thrill of driving a supercar. Its blend of exhilarating performance, sophisticated dynamics, and undeniable Ferrari DNA makes it a compelling proposition.
Ready to experience the future of automotive innovation firsthand? Discover the electrifying performance and timeless elegance of the Ferrari 296 GTB at your nearest authorized Ferrari dealer today, and embark on a driving journey that redefines exhilaration.
