Ferrari 296 GTB Review 2025: Can Maranello Hold Off the Lamborghini Temerario?
In the high-stakes world of exotic automotive engineering, three years is an eternity. Yet, as we settle into 2025, the F
errari 296 GTB remains a staggering achievement in mechanical and digital harmony. When this car first arrived in 2022, it marked a controversial pivot for the brand—dropping two cylinders to birth the first legitimate V6-powered Ferrari road car since the Dino (which, purists will remind you, never actually wore the cavallino rampante badge).
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted violently. We are staring down the barrel of the new Lamborghini Temerario, a 903-horsepower hybrid monster revving to 10,000 RPM. On paper, Sant’Agata seems to have brought a nuclear weapon to a knife fight. But having spent the better part of a decade analyzing the evolution of the mid-engine supercar, I can tell you that spec sheets rarely tell the whole story. The Ferrari 296 GTB wasn’t designed just to chase numbers; it was designed to redefine the emotional connection between driver and machine in the electrified era.
The Engineering Marvel: Why the “Little V12” Still Reigns
To understand why this car holds its ground in 2025, you have to look past the cylinder count. The heart of the Ferrari 296 GTB is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. However, this isn’t an engine chopped in half to meet emissions standards. It is a bespoke masterclass in packaging.
The cylinders are banked at a wide 120-degree angle. This “hot-vee” configuration places the IHI turbochargers inside the V of the engine. For the driver, this means two things: a center of gravity that sits incredibly low in the chassis, and a significant reduction in turbo lag. When you mat the throttle, the response is telepathic.
Combined with the rear-mounted electric motor, the system output is a massive 818 horsepower (829 cv). While the Temerario boasts higher peak numbers, the Ferrari 296 GTB delivers its power with a linearity that mimics a naturally aspirated engine. The torque fill from the electric motor masks any hesitation from the combustion engine, creating a surge of acceleration that feels endless.
Sound is subjective, but Ferrari engineers dubbed this engine the “piccolo V12” (little V12) during development, and the name sticks. As the revs climb toward the 8,500 RPM redline, the harmonics scream with a high-pitched tenor that separates it distinctly from the guttural bellow of the old V8s or the McLaren Artura’s more industrial soundtrack.
Design and Aerodynamics: Form Following Function
Visually, the Ferrari 296 GTB has aged gracefully over the last few years. It eschews the angry, jagged vents of its predecessors for cleaner, simpler lines reminiscent of the legendary 250 LM. But don’t let the beauty fool you; the aero is aggressive.
The active rear spoiler, inspired by the LaFerrari, integrates seamlessly into the tail. When deployed, it generates significant downforce—up to 794 lbs at 155 mph when equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. The “tea-tray” front splitter channels air underneath the car to a sophisticated diffuser, sucking the chassis to the pavement.
For buyers in the US market, where aesthetics often drive the purchase decision as much as performance, the 296 strikes a perfect balance. It turns heads in Miami or Los Angeles without looking like a track toy that got lost on the way to the circuit.
Driving Dynamics: The “Fun to Drive” Philosophy
Ferrari’s internal mission for the 296 was simply “Fun to Drive.” It sounds like marketing fluff until you get behind the wheel. The wheelbase is nearly two inches shorter than the F8 Tributo, making the car feel hyper-agile. It rotates around your hips with a willingness that borders on startling.
The secret sauce here is the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS). In 2025, electronic intervention is standard, but Ferrari’s implementation is superior. The system monitors acceleration and rotation on three axes (X, Y, Z). It communicates with the ABS Evo controller and the side-slip control to allow you to push right up to the limit of adhesion.
In “CT Off” mode, the Ferrari 296 GTB allows for heroic degrees of slip angle, letting you slide the tail out while the electronics gently keep you from spinning into the guardrail. It makes you feel like a Formula 1 driver, even if your experience is limited to weekend canyon runs.
Unlike the Lamborghini Huracán of old, which relied on brute force and AWD grip, the 296 is a rear-wheel-drive scalpel. The steering is light—typical of modern Ferraris—but precise. You think about the apex, and the car is already there.
The Hybrid Equation: Performance vs. Efficiency
We cannot discuss this car without addressing the hybrid elephant in the room. The Ferrari 296 GTB is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a 7.45 kWh battery. It offers roughly 15 miles of all-electric range.
Is 15 miles a lot? No. But it changes the ownership experience. You can leave your neighborhood in total silence, avoiding the ire of the HOA, before firing up the V6 on the highway. This dual personality is what makes the 296 one of the most usable supercars on the market.
However, the battery isn’t really there for saving the planet; it’s there for “torque fill.” The electric motor provides instant shove while the turbos spool up. This eliminates the rubber-band effect found in older turbo cars.
The Competition: Lamborghini Temerario and McLaren Artura
This brings us to the 2025 showdown. The Lamborghini Temerario is the new challenger. With a twin-turbo V8 hybrid revving to 10,000 RPM and over 900 horsepower, it is physically stronger than the Ferrari.
However, power-to-weight ratios tell a different story. The Ferrari 296 GTB is relatively light for a hybrid, with a dry weight of around 3,240 lbs. If the Temerario follows the trend of the Revuelto, it will likely be heavier. In the canyons of Malibu or on the technical turns of Laguna Seca, weight is the enemy. The Ferrari’s agility may still give it the edge in real-world driving dynamics, even if the Lambo wins the drag race.
Then there is the McLaren Artura (and the upgraded 750S). The Artura matches the Ferrari’s V6 hybrid layout but lacks the sheer manic energy and polish of the Italian. The 750S is a formidable lightweight weapon, but it feels like the peak of the old guard, lacking the futuristic powertrain integration of the 296.
Interior and Technology: A Digital Cockpit
If there is a criticism to be leveled at the Ferrari 296 GTB, it is the cabin interface. Ferrari has moved almost entirely to capacitive touch buttons. The engine start, the mirror adjustments, and even the navigation controls are haptic surfaces on the steering wheel.
To be frank, it can be frustrating. Physical buttons allow for muscle memory; touchscreens require you to look down. However, the 16-inch curved digital instrument cluster is gorgeous, putting all vital telemetry directly in the driver’s eye line.
The passenger gets their own slim display to view speed and RPMs, allowing them to share in the terror or excitement, depending on your driving style. The seats are supportive, and the fit and finish are lightyears ahead of Ferraris from a decade ago. This feels like a true luxury product.
Ownership Costs and Market Analysis
Buying a supercar in 2025 is a significant financial maneuver. With a base price hovering around $340,000 and well-optioned examples pushing past $450,000, the Ferrari 296 GTB is a serious investment.
Supercar Financing and Leasing:
Smart buyers often look at exotic car leasing or specialized luxury car finance options. Because Ferraris traditionally hold their residual value better than McLarens or Aston Martins, lease payments can sometimes be surprisingly competitive compared to cars with steeper depreciation curves.
Insurance Considerations:
Exotic car insurance is a niche market. Premiums for a hybrid supercar like the 296 will be substantial, but many carriers now offer policies based on usage. If you only drive the car 2,000 miles a year, you shouldn’t pay the same as someone daily driving it. It is vital to shop for specialized coverage that offers “agreed value” protection, ensuring you are covered for the market replacement cost, not just the depreciated book value.
Maintenance:
Ferrari’s 7-year genuine maintenance program remains a massive selling point. It covers all standard maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life, which is transferable to new owners. This significantly lowers the cost of ownership compared to rivals and boosts resale value.
The Verdict: Is the 296 GTB Still the King?
As we evaluate the supercar hierarchy in 2025, the Ferrari 296 GTB stands as a landmark achievement. It successfully bridged the gap between the internal combustion past and the electrified future without losing the brand’s soul.
The Lamborghini Temerario will undoubtedly be louder and faster in a straight line. It will attract those who want the most extreme stats. But the Ferrari 296 offers a delicacy of handling and a powertrain sophistication that is hard to beat. It is a car that flatters the novice and challenges the expert.
It proves that a V6 can be exotic. It proves that a hybrid can be emotional. And most importantly, it proves that Ferrari is ready for whatever the future holds.
If you are in the market for a mid-engine supercar that offers the perfect blend of track-ready performance and road-going usability, the 296 GTB is not just a contender; it is still the benchmark.
Are you ready to experience the future of Maranello? Contact your local Ferrari dealer today to schedule a test drive or inquire about current allocation availability.
