Ferrari 296 GTB 2025: The Electrifying Benchmark That Redefines Supercar Performance
For over a decade, the automotive landscape has been continuously reshaped by technological advancements, and the s
upercar segment, long the bastion of raw, naturally aspirated power, has been at the forefront of this seismic shift. Ten years ago, the idea of a V6 hybrid powering a Ferrari supercar would have been met with skepticism, if not outright dismissal. Yet, here we stand in 2025, with the Ferrari 296 GTB not just existing, but fundamentally rewriting the rulebook for what a high-performance, road-legal machine can achieve. This isn’t merely an evolution; it’s a revolution that has set a new benchmark, one that rivals like the anticipated Lamborghini Temerario are now tasked with surpassing.
The Ferrari 296 GTB arrived in 2022 as a bold declaration of intent from Maranello. It dared to deviate from the celebrated and multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8 that had powered its predecessors, embracing a completely new twin-turbo V6 architecture, crucially augmented by electric power. This audacious move positioned the 296 GTB as a trailblazer in a segment that, while experiencing the early tremors of electrification, was still largely dominated by internal combustion. It was a proactive leap, anticipating future powertrain trends and delivering a halo car that was both incredibly potent and remarkably efficient.
In its initial years, the 296 GTB’s primary contemporary rival was the Lamborghini Huracán, a car that championed the emotive roar and visceral connection of a naturally aspirated V10. While the Huracán offered an undeniable auditory and sensory experience, it was outgunned in raw horsepower by the hybridised Maranello machine. The McLaren 720S, with its formidable twin-turbo V8, also occupied a similar performance bracket. While its successor, the 750S, represents an evolutionary refinement, focusing on power-to-weight supremacy, the coming of the 903bhp, 10,000rpm V8 hybrid Lamborghini Temerario represents a direct, aggressive response to Ferrari’s electrified V6. It’s a clear signal that the era of pure internal combustion dominance in the hypercar space is rapidly drawing to a close.
Make no mistake, the Ferrari 296 GTB packs an almost unfathomable amount of firepower. Its all-new 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine, paired with a sophisticated electric motor, drives only the rear wheels – a deliberate choice distinguishing it from the SF90 Stradale’s all-wheel-drive hybrid setup. This configuration unleashes a combined output of 819bhp, a figure that, even by today’s stratospheric standards, shatters conventional supercar expectations. It compels us to ponder not only the limits of this power escalation but also the practicalities of deploying such immense performance on public roads.
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is its pioneering status. It marks Ferrari’s first-ever road car to feature a V6 engine – excluding the Dino 246 GT, which, while bearing a spiritual connection, never officially carried the Prancing Horse emblem in its era. Furthermore, it’s the first Ferrari to adopt a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger arrangement, a design that enhances efficiency and responsiveness. As a plug-in hybrid, it offers a purely electric range of approximately 15 miles, a feature that provides a glimpse into the future of daily supercar usability. This compact V6 is ingeniously mounted low within a bespoke aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase reduced by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, with the occupants positioned slightly further forward, contributing to a more intimate driving experience.
The electric motor itself contributes a substantial 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 alone delivers a staggering 654bhp and 546lb ft. The headline combined figure of 819bhp is impressive, but Ferrari wisely refrains from quoting a peak combined torque figure, likely due to the complex interplay between the V6 and electric motor. However, it’s safe to assume the resultant torque is nothing short of colossal. Critically, this V6 powertrain offers a weight saving of approximately 30kg over Ferrari’s V8 engines, and it’s seamlessly integrated with an advanced eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The compact battery pack, a long, slender unit, is ingeniously housed behind the seats.
No modern Ferrari would be complete without an arsenal of acronyms denoting its cutting-edge electronic chassis control systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari has developed the revolutionary six-axis sensor known as 6w-CDS (Six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor). This sophisticated system measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z planes, effectively replacing traditional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor on the steering rack, it provides the car with an unparalleled understanding of driver inputs and real-time grip levels at the tire contact patches. This data is then used to optimize systems like Side Slip Control and the active electronic differential (E-diff), maximizing cornering speeds while maintaining absolute stability and driver confidence. This technology also enables the groundbreaking ABS-evo system in RACE mode and above. Coupled with the car’s brake-by-wire technology, ABS-evo significantly shortens braking distances and enhances braking performance, particularly during trail-braking maneuvers into corners.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari is employing its active aerodynamics not to minimize drag, but to generate prodigious amounts of downforce. The company claims a remarkable 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with an astonishing 100kg of that generated by a deployable rear wing. This focus on aerodynamic efficiency extends throughout the car’s design. Two radiators in the front handle engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two condensers for the battery. Hot air is strategically expelled underneath the car to avoid disrupting the airflow directed to the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. Smaller apertures below the headlamps channel air to cool the brakes, while a cleverly integrated wing at the rear of the roofline creates a “virtual” rear screen, guiding airflow to the car’s tail as if it were following a defined surface. The majority of the 296’s downforce is sculpted from beneath the car, where meticulous attention has been paid not only to air channeling and the rear diffuser but also to the critical underbody ground clearance, thereby amplifying the effectiveness of these downforce-generating surfaces.
The pre-production Ferrari 296 GTB models we sampled on a circuit during the launch were all equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with racing-derived Multimatic units and adds further carbon fiber aerodynamic elements to the front, increasing front downforce by an additional 20kg. The package also incorporates more carbon fiber in the cabin, including the door panels, and on the exterior, contributing to a total weight saving of 12kg. This can be further enhanced by an optional Lexan rear engine cover, bringing the total saving to 15kg. For those seeking ultimate track capability, the Assetto Fiorano package allows for the specification of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the already highly capable standard Pilot Sport 4S. Aesthetically, Assetto Fiorano cars can also be optioned with an exterior graphics package inspired by the iconic 250LM from the 1960s.
Having experienced the Ferrari 296 GTB firsthand, its design is undeniably captivating. It possesses a distinct visual identity, drawing subtle inspiration from the classic 250LM even without the more overt graphics package, creating a look that is both timeless and futuristic.
Performance Unveiled: The Hybrid Heartbeat of the 296 GTB
Initiating movement in the 296 GTB is as simple as a double press of a button on the lower steering wheel boss, followed by selecting first gear. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, meaning it will depart silently on electric power alone, unless commanded otherwise via the intuitive haptic driver mode buttons on the wheel. Gentle throttle application allows for sustained electric-only propulsion, provided the battery has sufficient charge. For those seeking an exclusively silent experience, a dedicated EV mode can be engaged, overriding any powertrain demands. Beyond this, Performance and Qualifying modes unlock the full potential of the hybrid powertrain. In Performance mode, both the V6 engine and electric motor work in concert, with the system actively managing battery charge. Qualifying mode, however, prioritizes ultimate performance above all else, with no regard for the battery’s state of charge.
The ability to glide silently through urban environments offers an unexpected and civilized pleasure. The damping system is so exceptionally sophisticated that it transforms long journeys into remarkably comfortable affairs. Even luggage accommodation in the front ‘frunk’ is surprisingly practical, a welcome improvement over the SF90. But the question that truly ignites our curiosity is: what happens when both the V6 and electric motor are unleashed in their full, unadulterated glory?
The answer is evident when planting the throttle at low revs in a higher gear: the Ferrari 296 GTB surges forward with an almost instantaneous response, no hint of turbo lag. It’s a sensation so potent that it briefly makes one question the necessity of gears. However, with eight meticulously crafted ratios and an engine that screams to an astonishing 8500rpm, the full unleashing of the 296 is nothing short of startling.
The acceleration figures are nothing short of breathtaking – a sub-3-second 0-62mph time and a top speed exceeding 205mph. The rate of acceleration is of the “hold on tight and try not to laugh” variety, bordering on overwhelming, yet it possesses a strangely addictive quality. This is a car of immense speed, but it’s also accompanied by a captivating auditory experience. The V6 delivers a tuneful rasp, overlaid with subtle, engaging turbocharger sound effects, creating a symphony of performance.
Ride and Handling: A Masterclass in Agile Dynamics
What truly elevates the Ferrari 296 GTB is the astonishing responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s stated aim of making this car “fun to drive” is not hyperbole; it’s a tangible reality. The car feels incredibly agile without ever succumbing to nervousness. The steering is typically light and rapid, yet it conveys a remarkable level of feedback, allowing the driver to feel intimately connected to the road. While grip levels are predictably immense, the car also remains remarkably throttle-adjustable, eliciting grins with every nuanced input.
Despite its dry weight of 1470kg, the 296 GTB feels significantly lighter, exhibiting a remarkable lack of inertia that encourages driver engagement. Small, precise inputs are met with immediate and accurate responses, fostering a deep sense of confidence and control. The CT Off (Chassis Track Off) mode allows for audacious exploration of the car’s limits, underpinned by the reassuring knowledge that an exceptionally intelligent electronic brain is still monitoring and subtly assisting. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the 296’s inherent balance allows it to be coaxed into controlled oversteer in a manner that one might deem impossible for a car producing 819bhp.
On a racetrack, the Ferrari 296 GTB has the uncanny ability to make even the longest straights feel considerably shorter. Its precision and sharpness are immediately apparent. While the power is readily available to break rear-wheel traction at numerous points around a circuit, the 296 is also incredibly sensitive to braking and steering inputs. Drivers quickly learn that meticulous control of these elements yields the greatest rewards. The turn-in accuracy and response are phenomenal, dramatically shortening the entry phase of every corner. Rather than requiring a gradual easing into turns to build load, the 296 settles instantly into its line, aided by its Multimatic dampers and hyper-quick steering that perfectly complements the increased 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 296 are an absolute joy to experience lap after lap.
Interior Design: A Futuristic, Yet Familiar, Cocoon
The cabin architecture of the 296 GTB will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has experienced the SF90 Stradale. It inherits much of its interior design philosophy from that flagship model, featuring a predominantly digital interface and a complex array of haptic switchgear. These controls are liberally scattered across the steering wheel and traditional Ferrari pods situated on either side. While undeniably intricate, it’s understandable given the vast amount of information and functions the car manages. The primary critique lies in the occasional need for a second press for commands to register, or the uncertainty as to whether an input has been successfully acknowledged. Despite these minor ergonomic challenges, the overall ambiance of the interior is undeniably special, befitting a Ferrari supercar.
Verdict: A Return to Form and a Glimpse of the Future
In the fiercely competitive supercar arena, there’s always the inherent risk that an abundance of advanced technology can lead to a sum that is less than its parts. This was a concern echoed in our experience with the SF90 Stradale, a car that, while dazzling in its power, left us somewhat unnerved by its challenging driving characteristics.
However, the Ferrari 296 GTB represents a distinct departure. During the evo Car of the Year 2022 awards, where it secured joint third place alongside the McLaren Artura, it demonstrated a far more organic and cohesive driving experience. Its expertly blended power and engaging dynamics strike a perfect chord, effectively redefining the capabilities of a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket. Whispers of a Versione Speciale variant of the 296 GTB, boasting even more power and intensity, are circulating, with the hope that this enhanced version retains the standard car’s remarkably natural feel.
It is precisely this aspect of the 296 GTB’s character that we hope Lamborghini has meticulously addressed in its forthcoming hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an almost obscene amount of power to contend with in a series-production supercar, and it has the potential to corrupt the driving experience if the rest of the car isn’t perfectly resolved to meet it. Given Lamborghini’s impressive execution with the Revuelto, there is ample reason to be optimistic. If they have indeed refined the Temerario to the highest standards, the prospect of a twin test pitting these two titans against each other, boasting a combined output of a mind-boggling 1700bhp, promises to be an unforgettable event.
Alternatively, we could expand this to a colossal 2400bhp triple threat by including the McLaren 750S. While now comically the “minnow” of this group with “only” 740bhp, the McLaren brings a comparatively svelte 1389kg kerb weight to the table, resulting in a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s raw, ergonomic rightness, crisp steering, and deft chassis control offer a contrast to the Ferrari’s more insulated nature.
The Ferrari 296 GTB stands as a testament to innovation, a sophisticated fusion of blistering performance, engaging dynamics, and forward-thinking electrification. It’s a car that not only captivates the senses but also sets an aspirational standard for the future of the supercar.
Ferrari 296 GTB 2025 Specifications:
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+
Estimated Price: £250,000+
Are you ready to experience the future of supercar performance? Discover the Ferrari 296 GTB and explore how you can become part of this electrifying new era of driving excellence.
