Ferrari 296 GTB: Electrifying Performance Meets Timeless Maranello Magic
For a decade, the pursuit of automotive excellence has seen me immersed in the thrilling, often blistering, world of high-performance vehicles. I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of the supercar, from raw, naturally aspirated beasts to the sophisticated, electronically governed machines of today. And in that journey, the Ferrari 296 GTB has emerged as a truly significant milestone, a testament to Maranello’s enduring brilliance and its audacious embrace of the future. Even with formidable rivals like the upcoming Lamborghini Temerario on the horizon, boasting an electrifying 10,000rpm, 903bhp hybrid powertrain, the 296 GTB remains a compelling, even paradigm-shifting, offering.
The arrival of the 296 GTB in 2022 marked a pivotal moment for Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar lineage. It signaled a bold departure from the highly acclaimed, multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8, ushering in a new era with a potent twin-turbo V6 augmented by an electric motor. This was Ferrari taking a decisive stride into a segment that, while undeniably prestigious, was still in the nascent stages of its hybrid transition. In its early days, the 296 GTB found its traditional adversaries in machines like the Lamborghini Huracán, a symphony of naturally aspirated V10 charisma and raw, unfiltered sound, and the formidable McLaren 720S, a masterclass in twin-turbo V8 power-to-weight supremacy. While the subsequent McLaren 750S builds upon that established theme, the 903bhp, 10,000rpm hybrid Lamborghini Temerario price and performance figures represent a direct and potent challenge to Maranello’s 819bhp hybrid Berlinetta.
Indeed, the 296 GTB carries serious firepower. Its all-new, 120-degree, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, working in concert with an electric motor, drives exclusively the rear wheels. This setup, a distinct departure from the four-wheel-drive SF90, catapults the 819bhp 296 GTB into a realm that boldly redefines supercar conventions. The sheer spectacle of its power output is, frankly, staggering. It’s easy to get lost in contemplation of where this relentless escalation of performance will ultimately lead – and, more pertinently, where one might realistically deploy such immense capabilities. But that, as they say, is a story for another day.
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is its pioneering spirit. It stands as the first V6-powered Ferrari road car (a nod to the cherished 246 GT Dino, which, it’s worth noting, never bore the iconic Prancing Horse emblem in its era). Furthermore, it’s the first to adopt a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger configuration and embraces plug-in hybrid technology, offering a commendable all-electric range of approximately 15 miles. The compact V6 engine is nestled low within a sophisticated new aluminum chassis. The wheelbase has been judiciously shortened by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, and the occupants are positioned slightly further forward, contributing to a more centralized and engaging driving experience.
The electric motor alone contributes a formidable 165bhp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, in isolation, churns out an astonishing 654bhp and 546 lb-ft. The headline combined figure stands at 819bhp. Ferrari, in its characteristic enigmatic fashion, refrains from quoting a combined peak torque figure, likely due to the intricate interplay between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. However, it’s safe to infer that this combined torque is nothing short of prodigious. Across the entire powertrain, the V6 unit offers a weight saving of 30kg over Ferrari’s V8 engines. It’s seamlessly integrated with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a sleek, elongated structure, is ingeniously housed behind the seats, contributing to the car’s balanced weight distribution.
No Ferrari would be complete without an arsenal of acronym-laden, sophisticated electronic chassis control systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari has developed its revolutionary six-axis sensor, christened 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 supersedes conventional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor mounted directly on the steering rack, this sophisticated setup provides the car with an unprecedented understanding of driver inputs and real-time grip levels at the tire contact patch. This intelligence is then fed to other systems, including the acclaimed Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff, to maximize cornering speeds while steadfastly preserving stability and driver confidence. A standout innovation enabled by this technology is the new ABS-evo system, which, in RACE mode and above, leverages the 296’s brake-by-wire system. This not only shortens braking distances but also dramatically enhances braking performance during trail-braking maneuvers into corners.
Significantly, for the first time, Ferrari is deploying its active aerodynamics not to minimize drag, but to actively generate downforce. The company quotes a remarkable figure of 360kg of downforce at 155mph. A substantial portion of this, up to 100kg, is directly attributed to the deployable rear wing integrated into the car’s sculpted tail.
The thermal management of this complex hybrid powertrain is a marvel of engineering. The front of the car houses two radiators dedicated to engine and gearbox cooling, complemented by two additional condensers responsible for battery thermal regulation. Exhaust hot air is meticulously channeled beneath the car, ensuring it doesn’t impede the crucial flow of cooling air directed to the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. The discreet apertures located beneath the headlamps serve the vital function of drawing in air to cool the braking system. Furthermore, a wing ingeniously integrated into the roofline creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, effectively guiding airflow to the rear of the car as if it were following a sculpted surface. The lion’s share of the 296’s downforce is generated from beneath the car. Here, meticulous attention has been paid not only to the intricate channeling of air and the aggressive rear diffuser but also to the critical underbody ground clearance, optimizing the effectiveness of these crucial downforce-generating surfaces.
The 296 GTBs we had the privilege of experiencing on the circuit during their launch were all equipped with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. This performance-enhancing upgrade swaps the standard dampers for advanced Multimatic units, directly derived from those employed in GT racing. It also incorporates additional carbon fiber aerodynamic elements at the front, contributing an extra 20kg of downforce. Inside the cabin, further judicious use of carbon fiber, evident in components like the door panels, and on exterior elements, shaves off a further 12kg from the overall weight. This weight saving can be extended to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. For those seeking ultimate grip, the Fiorano package also opens the door to specifying Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the already highly capable standard Pilot Sport 4S. Assetto Fiorano-equipped cars can also be customized with an exterior graphics package, artfully inspired by the iconic 250LM of the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time interacting with the 296 GTB in its physical form, I can attest to its sheer aesthetic brilliance. It possesses a captivating beauty, a design that feels utterly unique and refreshingly avant-garde, subtly echoing the legendary 250LM of the 1960s, even without the more polarizing graphics option.
Performance Dynamics and the Thrill of Acceleration
Initiating movement in the 296 GTB is as simple as a double-press of the lower button on the steering wheel boss, followed by selecting first gear. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, meaning it will glide away silently on electric power alone unless deliberately prompted otherwise via the intuitive haptic driver mode selectors on the left side of the steering wheel boss. Provided you exercise restraint with the throttle, it will continue its silent progress purely on electric power, contingent, of course, on sufficient battery charge.
You can, however, actively ‘force’ the car into full EV mode, irrespective of your throttle demands. Beyond that, the Performance and Qualifying modes offer distinct calibration strategies. In the former, both power sources collaborate with the added objective of maintaining optimal battery charge. In Qualifying mode, the focus shifts entirely to unadulterated, maximum performance, with battery state of charge becoming a secondary consideration.
The experience of gliding silently through picturesque villages offers an unexpected and profound pleasure. The damping system is so exquisitely sophisticated that it transforms the cabin into a surprisingly comfortable sanctuary for covering considerable distances. Even the ‘frunk’ at the front provides a surprisingly practical luggage area, a welcome improvement over the SF90. But let’s be honest, what both you and I are truly yearning to know is: what does it feel like when both the V6 engine and the electric motor are unleashed to their full potential?
The answer lies in what happens when you plant the throttle from low revs in a higher gear. The 296 GTB simply surges forward with an almost instantaneous response, devoid of any discernible lag. It compels you to momentarily question the very necessity of gear changes, such is its sheer potency. Yet, there are eight gears to exploit, and an engine that eagerly spins to an 8,500rpm redline. When you truly uncork the 296, the resultant acceleration is nothing short of astonishing.
As the performance figures suggest (0-62mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of over 205mph), the rate of acceleration is the kind that elicits a firm grip on the steering wheel and a nervous, exhilarating laugh. It verges on the overwhelming, yet it’s simultaneously and undeniably addictive. This is a seriously rapid automobile. And it sounds sensational too, with a captivating blend of turbocharger effects harmonizing with the sonorous rasp of the V6 engine.
Chassis Dynamics: Precision, Agility, and Exhilaration
What truly elevates the 296 GTB is the astonishing responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s assertion that the car’s primary objective was to be ‘fun to drive’ is unequivocally validated. It feels acutely agile without ever teetering on the edge of being nervous. The steering, characteristically light and rapid, also conveys remarkable tactile information. While the grip levels are predictably immense, the car remains delightfully throttle-adjustable in a manner that invariably brings a broad grin to your face.
Despite its published dry weight of 1470kg, the 296 GTB feels significantly lighter. There’s a palpable lack of inertia that encourages an intuitive, collaborative driving style. Small, precise inputs are rewarded with immediate and accurate responses, fostering a deep sense of connection with the machine. Engaging the CT Off mode allows for astonishing feats of daring, with the reassuring presence of an electronic guardian far more intelligent than oneself. However, even with all electronic aids disengaged, the inherent balance of the 296 GTB is such that it can be coaxed into controlled oversteer in a way one might never have believed possible for a car producing 819bhp.
On the racetrack, the 296 GTB possesses the uncanny ability to diminish even the longest start-finish straight. What becomes even more apparent is its surgical precision. The power is readily available to break rear-end traction at numerous points around the lap. Yet, the 296 is remarkably sensitive to braking and steering inputs. One quickly learns that absolute precision with the controls yields the greatest rewards.
The astonishing turn-in accuracy and immediacy dramatically shorten the entry phase of every corner. Rather than easing the car into turns and allowing loads to build gradually, the 296 GTB takes an immediate set, aided by its Multimatic dampers. The hyper-quick steering complements the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup beautifully. Even if you’ve just stepped out of a more conventional sports car, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the 296 GTB are phenomenal, offering an experience that is an absolute joy, lap after lap.
The Digital Cockpit: A Glimpse into Ferrari’s Future
The cabin architecture will feel familiar to anyone who has experienced the SF90, as the 296 GTB inherits a substantial amount of its design language from that car. The purely digital interface, coupled with its complimentary haptic switchgear, presents a somewhat challenging learning curve. These controls are liberally applied to the steering wheel and traditional Ferrari pods located on either side of the steering column.
Undeniably, the system is complex. To be fair, there is a significant volume of information to convey. However, the most frustrating aspect is how seemingly simple operations occasionally require a second press after the initial attempt fails to register, or indeed, leaves you uncertain whether the press was successful at all. Nevertheless, despite these usability quirks, it undeniably feels like a special place to be.
evo Car of the Year 2022 Verdict: A Return to Form
“Now it gets serious,” declared the evo team. “When the scores were tallied, there wasn’t even the road tester’s legendary fag paper’s width between the McLaren Artura and the 296 GTB. The judges were perfectly split too: three of us narrowly preferred the Ferrari to the McLaren; three scored the Macca ahead by a whisker.”
The three who placed the 296 in front were myself, Meaden, and Bovingdon. “What a spectacular car,” enthused Jethro. “Beautiful to look at, outrageously fast, amazingly exploitable, and so technically clever. Its V6 demonstrates to McLaren how to downsize while amplifying the drama, and it matches the Artura in terms of sheer control but feels a bit more playful and indulgent.”
“The first genuinely beautiful Ferrari since the F355,” was Dickie’s verdict, a sentiment echoed by many of us. “The hybrid system works exceptionally well and doesn’t alter the driving experience as much as I had feared. Perhaps because we’ve already grown accustomed to the torquey characteristics of the turbocharged V8 in the 488 and F8. The 296 is stonkingly quick, but it doesn’t rely solely on speed, thanks to the character of the V6, which possesses a soundtrack that is always sweet and evolves with throttle opening.”
“The Ferrari’s hybridization was widely praised for its seamless integration. However, on the final night, we were left stranded after the battery ran flat with no apparent means of bringing the car back to life. To be fair, Ferrari had warned us of the possibility and detailed the various measures we should take to ensure it didn’t happen. But it’s not inconceivable that an owner could find themselves similarly stuck. As Gallagher rightly pointed out, ‘that the company that pioneered individual rear-wheel steering for its cars can’t engineer a simple fail-safe to prevent this is a huge oversight.’ Fortunately for the 296, this incident occurred after all the cars had been scored.”
“Ferrari’s signature super-quick steering divided opinion, the brake feel didn’t quite match the very best in the group, and the tech interface was widely criticized for being overly complex. But otherwise, the 296 was irresistibly seductive. ‘I thought I wouldn’t like the Fezza all that much – too complex, rather gratuitous points of difference,’ said Vivian. ‘But I ended up somewhat bewitched: its uncanny way of changing direction; its astonishing damping and looney-tunes levels of grip; the linearity of its seemingly never-ending power…'”
“It’s a genuine return to form for Ferrari, a stark contrast to the SF90, which left us feeling somewhat cold last year. As Sutcliffe aptly put it: ‘The 296 is far more successful because its technical sophistication, and the integration of its hybrid technology in particular, feels much more natural and far less intrusive.’ Gallagher concurred: ‘Ferrari has learned so much from the SF90, absorbed those lessons, and distilled them into a series-production model that ranks among its very best.'” – Peter Tomalin, ecoty 2022.
Pricing and the Competitive Landscape
When a vehicle is so heavily imbued with cutting-edge technology, there’s always an inherent risk that it might become less than the sum of its parts. This was a sentiment we encountered with the SF90, which, while dazzling in its power output, could be somewhat unnerving in its challenging driving characteristics.
The 296 GTB, however, represents something distinctly different. As we discovered during the 2022 evo Car of the Year competition (where it secured a joint third place alongside the McLaren Artura), it feels profoundly more organic. Its harmonious blend of raw power and engaging dynamics strikes a remarkable sweet spot, effectively redefining what a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket can achieve. A Versione Speciale variant of the 296, previously codenamed internally, is anticipated to arrive this year, promising even greater power, performance, and intensity. We can only hope that the standard 296’s remarkably natural and intuitive feel is retained.
It is precisely this aspect of the 296 GTB’s inherent character that we hope Lamborghini has meticulously focused on while honing its hybrid Lamborghini Temerario price offering. Over 900bhp is an obscene amount of power to harness in a series-production supercar, a figure that could easily corrupt the entire driving experience if the rest of the vehicle isn’t perfectly resolved to meet it. If Lamborghini has truly mastered the formula – and the exemplary execution of the Revuelto offers compelling reason for optimism – then we are poised for an epic twin-test showdown.
Alternatively, we could expand the comparison to a jaw-dropping 2400bhp triple-header, including the McLaren 750S. This machine, now perhaps absurdly described as the minnow of this esteemed class with a mere 740bhp, does bring a comparatively lithe 1389kg kerb weight to the table, ensuring a fiercely competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s inherent rawness, ergonomic perfection, the crispness of its steering, and the sheer deftness of its chassis undoubtedly set it apart against the comparatively more distant feel of the Ferrari.
Ferrari 296 GTB Specifications:
Engine: V6, 2992cc, twin-turbocharged, 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+
The 296 GTB represents more than just a new model; it’s a bold declaration of Ferrari’s vision for the future of the supercar. If you’re ready to experience this electrifying blend of innovation and tradition, we invite you to explore financing options and schedule a private consultation with our Ferrari specialists today.
