Ferrari 296 GTB: A Hybrid Symphony Redefining Supercar Excellence
For a decade now, the automotive landscape has been in a perpetual state of evolution, a dynamic flux driven by innovation and a relen
tless pursuit of performance. As an industry veteran with ten years steeped in the visceral world of high-performance vehicles, I’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts that have redefined what a supercar can be. The arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB review was not merely another model launch; it represented a fundamental reinterpretation of automotive artistry, a bold statement from Maranello that challenged established paradigms. This isn’t just another car; it’s a masterclass in hybrid integration and a benchmark that rivals, particularly the highly anticipated Lamborghini Temerario, must now contend with.
The 296 GTB, a name that resonates with heritage yet heralds a radical departure, stepped into the arena in 2022, signaling a profound transformation for Ferrari’s mid-engined icon. The departure from the multi-award-winning, sonorous twin-turbo V8 was a bold, almost audacious move. In its place, Ferrari introduced a groundbreaking twin-turbo V6, augmented by an electric motor. This wasn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it was a strategic pivot, placing the 296 GTB at the vanguard of a supercar segment that was only tentatively beginning its transition to electrification. The Ferrari 296 GTB price at its inception reflected this pioneering spirit.
At its debut, the 296 GTB’s most direct competitor was the Lamborghini Huracán, a car defined by its naturally aspirated V10’s raw, unadulterated soundtrack and charismatic delivery. While the Huracán offered an intoxicating sensory experience, it paled in comparison to the 296 GTB’s sheer power output. Then there was the formidable McLaren 720S, a V8-powered titan focused on its supremacy in power-to-weight ratios. While the subsequent McLaren 750S represents an evolution of that theme, the 903bhp, 10,000rpm hybrid Lamborghini Temerario emerges as a direct, almost defiant response from Sant’Agata Bolognese to Maranello’s electrifying vision. The Ferrari 296 GTB performance figures are, quite frankly, astronomical.
The sheer magnitude of the 296 GTB’s power output is undeniably captivating. With its all-new 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine and an integrated electric motor powering only the rear wheels – a distinction from the SF90 Stradale – the 819bhp marvel fundamentally shattered existing supercar conventions. It’s easy to become mesmerized by such stratospheric figures, to ponder the ultimate apex of power escalation – a question that looms large, especially with the Ferrari 296 GTB horsepower of the Temerario on the horizon. More pertinently, one might ask where, in the real world, such prodigious performance can be fully unleashed. But that, as they say, is a story for another time.
What sets the 296 GTB apart is its pioneering spirit. It marks Ferrari’s first V6-powered road car (the sublime 246 GT Dino, though a V6, never bore the Prancing Horse emblem during its production run), the first to feature a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger arrangement, and crucially, a plug-in hybrid with a usable all-electric range of approximately 15 miles. The compact V6 unit is strategically positioned low within a novel aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase reduced by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, which also allows occupants to sit slightly further forward. The electric motor contributes an impressive 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 alone unleashes a staggering 654bhp and 546lb ft. The combined headline figure of 819bhp is remarkable, though Ferrari judiciously refrains from quoting a combined peak torque figure, likely due to the complex interplay between the V6 and electric motor. Nevertheless, it is safe to assume this figure is nothing short of prodigious. The V6 assembly itself is over 30kg lighter than Ferrari’s V8 counterparts and is seamlessly mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a sleek, elongated structure, is housed discreetly behind the seats.
No Ferrari would be complete without an array of sophisticated electronic chassis management systems, and the 296 GTB is no exception. Ferrari has developed an advanced six-axis sensor, dubbed 6w-CDS, capable of precisely measuring acceleration and rotational velocity across the X, Y, and Z planes. This system effectively replaces conventional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor integrated into the steering rack, it provides the car with an unparalleled understanding of driver input and real-time grip levels at the tire contact patches. This data feeds into other vital systems like Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff, orchestrating optimal cornering speeds while meticulously preserving stability and driver confidence. Furthermore, it enables the introduction of ABS-evo, a system that, in RACE mode and above, leverages the 296’s brake-by-wire technology to not only shorten braking distances but also enhance performance during trail-braking into corners. The Ferrari 296 GTB handling characteristics are profoundly influenced by these advancements.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari is deploying its active aerodynamics not to reduce drag, but to actively generate downforce. The marque quotes a remarkable figure of 360kg at 155mph, with up to 100kg of this being produced by a deployable rear wing. The front of the car houses two radiators for engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two condensers for the battery pack. Hot air is strategically expelled underneath to avoid any interference with the cooling air directed to the intercoolers along the car’s flanks. The subtle apertures below the headlamps are dedicated to brake cooling, while the integrated wing at the rear of the roofline plays a crucial role in creating a ‘virtual’ rear screen, efficiently channeling airflow towards the rear of the vehicle as if guided by an invisible surface. The majority of the 296’s significant downforce is generated from beneath the car. Here, meticulous attention has been paid not only to airflow management and the rear diffuser but also to the underbody’s ground clearance, all designed to maximize the effectiveness of these crucial downforce-generating surfaces. The Ferrari 296 GTB aerodynamics represent a significant leap forward.
The circuit evaluations of the 296 GTB, conducted during its launch phase, were exclusively with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. This upgrade replaces the standard dampers with advanced Multimatic units, derived from GT racing technology, and introduces further carbon fiber aerodynamic elements to the nose, boosting front downforce by an additional 20kg. The cabin also benefits from increased carbon fiber usage, including the door panels, and exterior components, contributing to an overall weight saving of 12kg. This figure can be further enhanced to 15kg with the optional Lexan rear engine cover. An additional option for Assetto Fiorano equipped cars is the fitment of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, superseding the standard Pilot Sport 4S. The Fiorano variants can also be specified with an exterior graphics package, subtly echoing the iconic livery of the 1960s 250LM.
Having spent considerable time observing the 296 GTB in its physical form, it’s clear that it possesses a striking aesthetic. It stands apart from anything else on the road, its design lineage undeniably evoking the spirit of the 1960s 250LM, even without the divisive graphic package. The Ferrari 296 GTB styling is a masterstroke of modern automotive design.
To set the 296 GTB in motion, a double press on the lower section of the steering wheel boss followed by engaging first gear is all that’s required. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, initiating its journey on electric power alone, unless overridden by the driver via the haptic mode selectors on the left side of the steering wheel boss. As long as throttle application remains measured, the 296 will continue its silent progress using electric power, provided the battery retains sufficient charge.
Drivers also have the option to manually select ‘eDrive’ mode, irrespective of powertrain demands. Beyond this, there are dedicated Performance and Qualifying modes. In both of these, the internal combustion engine and electric motor work in concert. Performance mode aims to maintain battery charge levels, while Qualifying mode prioritizes absolute maximum performance, with little regard for the battery’s state of charge. The sensation of gliding silently through urban environments is an unexpected delight. The damping system is so sophisticated that it transforms long journeys into surprisingly comfortable affairs. Even luggage space is reasonably accommodated in the ‘frunk’ – a welcome departure from the SF90. However, the true question on everyone’s mind, yours and mine, is what does it feel like when both the engine and electric motor are truly unleashed?
The answer becomes apparent when you aggressively plant the throttle at low revs in a high gear: the 296 GTB surges forward with an immediate, lag-free response that compels you to question the very necessity of gear changes, such is its sheer potency. Yet, with eight gears at your disposal and an engine that revs to a thrilling 8500rpm, when you truly uncork the 296, the effect is nothing short of breathtaking. As the performance figures attest – a 0-62mph sprint of a mere 2.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 205mph – the acceleration is of the hold-on-tight, nervous laughter variety, bordering on the visceral, yet undeniably addictive. This is a car of immense, almost unsettling, rapidity. And the sound, too, is sublime, with a liberal dose of turbocharger effects harmonizing with the tuneful rasp of the V6. The Ferrari 296 GTB acceleration is truly in a class of its own.
What truly impresses is the sheer responsiveness of the 296 GTB’s chassis, and the sincerity of Ferrari’s claim that the car’s primary objective was to be ‘fun to drive’. It feels exceptionally agile without ever becoming nervous. The steering is characteristically light and rapid, yet it provides an impressive level of tactile feedback. While the grip levels are predictably immense, the car remains delightfully throttle-adjustable in a manner that invariably elicits a wide grin. It feels significantly lighter than its claimed 1470kg dry weight suggests. There’s an overarching sense of minimal inertia that encourages the driver to work with the car, making subtle inputs and reveling in its uncanny accuracy and precision. Engaging CT Off mode allows for audacious exploits, with the reassuring knowledge that an electronic guardian, far more intelligent than oneself, is vigilantly overseeing proceedings. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the 296’s inherent balance allows for tantalizingly controllable oversteer, a feat one might deem impossible in a car producing 819bhp.
On track, the 296 possesses the uncanny ability to compress even lengthy start-finish straights. What becomes even more apparent is its surgical precision. While the power is readily available to break rear-wheel traction at numerous points around the lap, the 296 is also acutely sensitive to braking and steering inputs. It quickly becomes evident that the greatest rewards are reaped through precise control. The astonishing turn-in accuracy and immediacy dramatically shorten the entry phase into every corner. Instead of easing the car into turns and gradually building load, the 296 immediately settles into its line, facilitated by the Multimatic dampers and the hyper-quick steering that harmonizes beautifully with the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even if you’ve recently transitioned from a more conventional sports car, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the 296 are phenomenal and an unadulterated joy to experience lap after lap. The Ferrari 296 GTB driving experience is a testament to obsessive engineering.
The cabin architecture will feel familiar to anyone who has had the privilege of sitting in an SF90 Stradale, as the 296 borrows heavily from its larger sibling. The fully digital interface and its accompanying haptic switchgear present a notable challenge. These are liberally applied to the steering wheel and integrated into traditional Ferrari pods flanking the steering column. While undoubtedly complex, it must be acknowledged that a significant amount of information needs to be conveyed. The most frustrating aspect is that simple operations sometimes require a second press after the initial attempt fails to register, or indeed, without knowing if a press has been successful at all. Nevertheless, it remains a special place to inhabit. The Ferrari 296 GTB interior is a blend of innovation and tradition.
In the 2022 evo Car of the Year awards, the competition intensified significantly. When the scores were tallied, the Artura and the 296 GTB were separated by a razor-thin margin, a testament to their exceptional qualities. The judges themselves were perfectly split: three narrowly favored the Ferrari, while three gave a slight edge to the McLaren. Those who placed the 296 GTB ahead were Jethro, Meaden, and Bovingdon. Jethro enthusiastically declared it a “spectacular car – beautiful to look at, outrageously fast, amazingly exploitable, and so technically clever. Its V6 shows McLaren how to downsize but turn up the drama, and it matches the Artura in terms of sheer control but feels a bit more playful and indulgent.”
Dickie’s verdict, echoed by many of us, was that it was “the first genuinely beautiful Ferrari since the F355.” He further elaborated, “The hybrid system works very well and doesn’t change the driving experience as much as I’d feared. Probably because we’ve already grown accustomed to the torquey characteristics of the turbocharged V8s in the 488 and F8. The 296 is stonkingly quick, but doesn’t rely solely on speed thanks to the character of the V6, which has a soundtrack that’s always sweet and changes with throttle opening.”
The seamless integration of Ferrari’s hybridisation was widely lauded. However, on the final night of testing, the group experienced a significant issue: the car was left stranded after the battery depleted with no apparent means of recovery. To Ferrari’s credit, they had preemptively warned of this possibility and outlined specific measures to prevent it. Yet, it’s not inconceivable that an owner might find themselves in a similar predicament. As Gallagher rightly pointed out, “the company that introduced individual rear-wheel steering to its cars can’t engineer a simple fail-safe to prevent this happening is a huge oversight.” Fortunately for the 296 GTB, this incident occurred after all scoring had been completed.
Ferrari’s signature ultra-quick steering divided opinion, and the brake feel, while competent, didn’t quite match the very best in the group. The technology interface also drew widespread criticism for its excessive complexity. Despite these drawbacks, the 296 remained irresistibly seductive. Vivian admitted, “I thought I wouldn’t like the Fezza all that much – too complex, rather gratuitous points of difference. But I ended up somewhat bewitched: the spooky way it changes direction; its amazing damping and looney-tunes levels of grip; the linearity of seemingly never-ending power…”
Peter Tomalin, in his evo ecoty 2022 verdict, summarized the sentiment perfectly: “It’s a real return to form for Ferrari, after the SF90 left us cold last year. As Sutcliffe stated, ‘The 296 is way more successful because its technical sophistication, and the integration of its hybrid technology in particular, feels much more natural, and far less intrusive.’ And Gallagher agreed: ‘Ferrari has taken so much from the SF90, learned from that car, and distilled it into a series production model that’s one of its very best.’”
When a vehicle is so heavily laden with advanced technology, there’s always a risk that it might become less than the sum of its parts. This was a sentiment we encountered with the SF90, which, despite its dazzling power output, unnerved us with its challenging driving characteristics. However, the 296 GTB represents a significant departure. As evidenced by its joint third-place finish alongside the McLaren Artura at the 2022 evo Car of the Year awards, it feels far more organic. Its harmonious blend of power and engaging dynamics strikes a perfect chord, effectively redefining what a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket can achieve. A Versione Speciale variant of the 296 is anticipated this year, promising even greater power, performance, and intensity. The crucial hope is that the standard 296’s inexplicably natural feel will be preserved.
It is precisely this aspect of the 296 GTB’s intrinsic character that we sincerely hope Lamborghini has prioritized in the development of its hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an obscene amount of power to harness in a series-production supercar, a figure that could easily prove detrimental if the rest of the vehicle isn’t meticulously resolved to manage it. If Lamborghini has achieved parity – and their mastery with the Revuelto provides ample reason for optimism – then we are poised for an epic twin-test battle. Alternatively, we could witness a staggering 2400bhp triple-threat showdown with the McLaren 750S, now perhaps unfairly described as the ‘minnow’ of the class with its comparatively modest 740bhp. However, the McLaren brings to the table a relatively petite kerb weight of 1389kg, ensuring a competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s inherent rawness, ergonomic excellence, the crispness of its steering, and the deftness of its chassis undeniably set it apart from the comparatively remote feel of the Ferrari. The ongoing dialogue between these automotive titans, particularly concerning new supercar releases, continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Ferrari 296 GTB Specifications:
Engine: V6, 2992cc, twin-turbo, plus electric motor
Transmission: Eight-speed, dual-clutch, active E-diff
Combined Power: 819bhp @ 8000rpm
Combined Torque: 546lb ft @ 6250rpm
Dry Weight: 1470kg (566bhp/ton)
0-62mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 205mph
Price: From £250,000+
The Ferrari 296 GTB is more than just a car; it’s an experience, a statement, and a glimpse into the future of automotive performance. If you’re captivated by this fusion of cutting-edge technology and unparalleled driving exhilaration, we invite you to explore our latest financing options or schedule your personalized demonstration drive today.
