2025 Ferrari 296 GTB Review: Can It Hold the Throne Against the Lamborghini Temerario?
By the time you finish reading this, the landscape of the supercar world will have shifted yet again. For the las
t decade, I have tested nearly every machine to roll out of Maranello, from the screaming 458 Italia to the polarizing SF90 Stradale. But few cars have stirred the pot—and the soul—quite like the Ferrari 296 GTB.
When it launched in 2022, critics were sharpening their knives. A V6 in a flagship Ferrari? Sacrilege, they cried. Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative has flipped. The Ferrari 296 GTB has not only proven itself as the defining supercar of the modern hybrid era, but it is also now facing its stiffest competition yet: the incoming, 10,000-rpm Lamborghini Temerario.
As an industry analyst and test driver with over ten years in the seat, I’ve revisited the Ferrari 296 GTB to answer one burning question: With the 900-horsepower hybrid war heating up, does Maranello’s “piccolo V12” still reign supreme?
The Engine: Engineering Witchcraft in a V6 Era
Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. The transition from the award-winning twin-turbo V8 to a V6 hybrid powertrain was a gamble. However, calling the Ferrari 296 GTB engine just a “V6” does a disservice to the engineering marvel hidden under the rear deck.
This is a 120-degree, 3.0-liter V6. By widening the angle of the cylinder banks, Ferrari engineers were able to install the turbochargers inside the “V” (a “hot-vee” configuration). This drastically reduces piping length, lowers the center of gravity, and virtually eliminates turbo lag. When combined with the rear-mounted electric motor, the Ferrari 296 GTB produces a staggering 819 horsepower (830 cv) and 546 lb-ft of torque.
The result is not just speed; it is character. Unlike the muted vacuum-cleaner sound of many modern turbos, the Ferrari 296 GTB sings. Maranello’s engineers tuned the harmonics to mimic the frequencies of a naturally aspirated V12, and from the driver’s seat, the illusion is intoxicating. It screams to an 8,500-rpm redline with a ferocity that makes you forget cylinder counts entirely.
Performance: The 0-60 MPH Benchmark
In the world of exotic car financing and bragging rights, numbers matter. The Ferrari 296 GTB 0-60 time is clocked officially at 2.9 seconds, though in real-world testing on prepared surfaces, we have seen it dip closer to 2.7 seconds. It will hit 124 mph in just 7.3 seconds.
But straight-line speed is cheap these days. A heavy electric sedan can throw you into the back of your seat. What makes the Ferrari 296 GTB distinct is the quality of that speed. The electric motor (MGU-K) fills in the torque curve instantly while the turbos spool, creating a linear, relentless surge of power that feels naturally aspirated but hits like a freight train.
The rear-wheel-drive setup is a refreshing choice in a segment moving toward AWD. While the SF90 uses front motors to claw for grip, the Ferrari 296 GTB relies on purity. It trusts the driver, and thanks to arguably the best traction control system in existence, it manages that 819 horsepower without terrifying you.
Design and Aerodynamics: The 250 LM Legacy
Visually, the Ferrari 296 GTB is a masterclass in clean, reductive design. Gone are the aggressive vents and slashes of the F8 Tributo. Instead, we have smooth, muscular haunches and a visor-style windshield that wraps around the cabin.
The design team openly credits the 1963 Ferrari 250 LM as the inspiration. You see it in the flying buttresses and the vertical rear screen. It is compact, aggressive, and undeniably beautiful.
However, form follows function. The car features an active rear spoiler inspired by the LaFerrari. It generates up to 794 lbs of downforce at 155 mph when equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. Under the body, complex vortex generators suck the car to the pavement.
For those looking to protect this aesthetic investment, high-quality ceramic coating for supercars and Paint Protection Film (PPF) are absolute necessities. The low nose and wide hips are magnets for road debris, and maintaining the resale value of a Ferrari 296 GTB requires proactive care.
The Interior: The Digital Cockpit Dilemma
If there is a point of contention with modern Ferraris, it is the interior interface. The Ferrari 296 GTB adopts the fully digital philosophy introduced by the SF90. The instrument cluster is a curved 16-inch HD screen controlled by haptic touchpads on the steering wheel.
I will be blunt: I miss physical buttons. While the display is crisp and offers incredible customization—allowing you to keep navigation, telemetry, and media in view—the “Start/Stop” button being a capacitive touch sensor lacks the tactile drama of the old red button.
That said, the cabin geometry is perfect. You sit low, the view over the front fenders is excellent (essential for placing the car on narrow roads), and the seats offer a great balance of support and comfort. For longer journeys, the frunk (front trunk) is surprisingly usable, capable of swallowing two weekend bags—something that makes luxury vehicle leasing for road trips a viable option with this model.
Driving Dynamics: The “Fun to Drive” Factor
Ferrari claimed the development goal for the Ferrari 296 GTB was simply “Fun to Drive.” It sounds like marketing fluff, but within two corners, you realize they weren’t lying.
The wheelbase is 50mm shorter than the F8 Tributo. This, combined with the low center of gravity from the wide V6 and the battery placement, makes the car feel hyper-agile. It rotates around your hips with telepathic immediacy.
A key component here is the 6w-CDS sensor (6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor). It feeds data to the ABS Evo controller, allowing you to brake deeper into corners than you thought possible. The system calculates grip levels at the tire contact patch in real-time, letting you trail-brake with the confidence of a GT3 racer.
In “Qualifying” mode, the hybrid system deploys everything it has. On a canyon road, the rhythm is hypnotic. Brake, turn, explosive exit. The transition between electric drive and combustion is seamless—a stark contrast to the clunky integration seen in early hybrids from other manufacturers.
For city driving, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capability allows for about 15 miles of silent, electric-only driving. Cruising through quiet neighborhoods in Beverly Hills or Miami without waking the neighbors is a neat party trick, and it keeps the oil temperature in check until you reach the open road.
The Challenger: Lamborghini Temerario vs. Ferrari 296 GTB
We cannot discuss the Ferrari 296 GTB in 2025 without mentioning the bull at the gate. The Lamborghini Temerario is the successor to the Huracán, and it has brought a twin-turbo V8 hybrid revving to 10,000 rpm to the fight.
On paper, the Lamborghini boasts over 900 horsepower, eclipsing the Ferrari. However, horsepower figures tell only half the story. The Lamborghini is all-wheel drive and significantly heavier. The Ferrari 296 GTB trades on lightness and agility.
The Ferrari feels like a scalpel; the Lamborghini is a sledgehammer. While the Temerario will likely win drag races on dusty surfaces thanks to AWD traction, the Ferrari 296 GTB offers a purity of steering feedback and chassis balance that is harder to engineer than raw power. The battle between these two will define the luxury car market for the next five years.
The Assetto Fiorano Package: Necessary or Not?
Buyers configuring their Ferrari 296 GTB face a critical choice: the Assetto Fiorano package. This track-oriented option sheds roughly 33 lbs thanks to extensive carbon fiber and a Lexan rear window. More importantly, it swaps the standard magnetorheological dampers for fixed-rate Multimatic dampers derived from GT racing.
Here is my expert advice: Unless you plan to track the car regularly, skip it. The standard dampers are magical, offering a “Bumpy Road” mode that makes the Ferrari 296 GTB compliant enough for daily driving. The Multimatic dampers are brilliant on smooth asphalt but can be punishing on imperfect city streets.
However, if you are looking at exotic car rentals or track days, the Assetto Fiorano package, especially when paired with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, transforms the car into a lap-time weapon that can hunt down hypercars costing three times as much.
Cost of Ownership and Market Value
The base price of a Ferrari 296 GTB hovers around the $340,000 mark, but realistically, no car leaves the showroom floor for under $400,000 once options are added. Carbon fiber wheels, premium paint samples, and racing seats quickly inflate the sticker price.
From an investment standpoint, the Ferrari 296 GTB has held its value remarkably well. As the first of the V6 hybrids, it represents a historical turning point for the brand.
Potential owners should also consider luxury car insurance premiums. Insuring a high-voltage hybrid supercar requires specialized policies, particularly given the replacement cost of the carbon fiber components and the complex battery system. It is advisable to work with brokers who specialize in high-performance vehicle leasing and insurance to secure appropriate coverage (Agreed Value policies are a must).
Verdict: The New King?
The Ferrari 296 GTB is not just a great Ferrari; it is one of the greatest sports cars ever made. It successfully bridges the gap between the analog joy of the past and the digital performance of the future.
While the Lamborghini Temerario offers more theatrical engine speeds and raw grunt, the Ferrari counters with sophistication, usability, and a chassis that feels alive. It is a car that flatters the novice and rewards the expert.
In 2025, amidst a sea of heavy, numb, ultra-powerful EVs and hybrids, the Ferrari 296 GTB stands out because it remembers that driving is about emotion, not just statistics. It is an engineering triumph that proves the V6 isn’t a downgrade—it’s the future.
Are you ready to experience the pinnacle of Italian engineering for yourself?
Don’t just read about the performance—feel it. Visit your local Ferrari dealer today to schedule a test drive of the 296 GTB, or contact our recommended partners for exclusive exotic car leasing options to get behind the wheel of the future, today. The road is calling.
