Ferrari 296 GTB 2025: The Benchmark for Hybrid V6 Supercars
For years, the conversation surrounding mid-engined supercars revolved around a singular philosophy: bigger displacement equals more power and more sound. However, the arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB in 2022 marked a seismic shift in Maranello’s approach. This isn’t just another V8 Ferrari; it’s a radical redesign that traded the multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8 for a groundbreaking twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain.
The Ferrari 296 GTB essentially took the initiative in a segment still transitioning to hybrid technology. While the Lamborghini Huracán offered a naturally-aspirated V10 soundtrack, and the McLaren 720S relied on established V8 muscle, the 296 GTB introduced a new benchmark. The upcoming Lamborghini Temerario promises to counter this with 903bhp and 10,000rpm, but the 819bhp V6 hybrid Ferrari 296 GTB remains the standard to beat.
A Bold Leap into V6 Hybridization
The 296 GTB is significant as Ferrari’s first V6-powered road car, harking back to the delectable 246 GT Dino (which never wore the Prancing Horse badge in its time). It’s also the first to feature a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger installation and a plug-in hybrid system with an EV range of around 15 miles. This strategic shift wasn’t just about downsizing; it was about reimagining performance architecture.
The all-new 120-degree twin-turbo V6 engine is the heart of this machine, augmented by an electric motor. Significantly, the 296 GTB drives only the rear wheels, unlike the four-wheel-drive SF90. This configuration preserves the raw, visceral connection between driver and road that defines the Ferrari experience.
The Numbers Game: 819 Reasons to Admire
The headline figure of 819bhp is staggering, and the inevitable question arises: where does this power escalation end? For Ferrari, it seems, the answer is here. The 120-degree V6 engine alone produces a stunning 654bhp and 546lb ft, while the electric motor adds a substantial 165bhp and 232lb ft.
While Ferrari tactfully avoids quoting combined peak torque due to the complex interplay between the engine and motor, the resulting surge of power is undeniable. Furthermore, the V6 unit is 30kg lighter than Ferrari’s V8 counterparts and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The battery pack, a streamlined oblong structure, is strategically positioned behind the seats to maintain ideal weight distribution.
The Pinnacle of Automotive Engineering
Any Ferrari wouldn’t be complete without a suite of advanced electronic chassis systems, and the 296 GTB is no exception. The car features a cutting-edge six-axis sensor known as 6w-CDS. This system measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z planes, effectively replacing the conventional yaw sensor.
When combined with the steering rack sensor, the 6w-CDS provides the car with a comprehensive understanding of the driver’s intentions and the available grip levels. It orchestrates systems like Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff to maximize cornering speeds while maintaining absolute stability. Additionally, the 296 GTB introduces ABS-evo, a brake-by-wire system that shortens braking distances and improves trail-braking performance in RACE mode and above.
Aerodynamics: Power Meets Elegance
For the first time, Ferrari has utilized its active aerodynamics technology not to reduce drag, but to enhance downforce. The system generates a quoted 360kg at 155mph, with 100kg of that coming from a deployable rear wing that rises from the car’s rear bodywork.
The Ferrari 296 GTB features two radiators in the nose for engine and gearbox cooling, along with two additional condensers for the battery. Hot air is expelled from underneath to avoid interfering with the intercoolers along the sides. The small apertures below the headlights feed cooling air to the brakes, while the integrated roof-mounted wing creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, channeling air to the rear of the car as if guided by a surface.
Crucially, the majority of the 296 GTB’s downforce is generated under the car. Significant attention has been paid not only to air channeling and the rear diffuser but also to the height of the underbody off the ground, maximizing the effectiveness of the downforce-generating surfaces.
The Assetto Fiorano Pack: The Ultimate Track Machine
The 296 GTB models tested at the launch were all fitted with the Assetto Fiorano pack. This performance-enhancing package replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units derived from GT racing and adds further carbon aerodynamic devices to the nose, increasing front downforce by 20kg.
Inside, the Assetto Fiorano package includes more carbon fiber, such as door panels, and exterior carbon trim, resulting in a total weight saving of 12kg. This increases to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. For those seeking maximum track capability, the Assetto Fiorano pack is available with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The package also offers an exterior graphics package inspired by the iconic 250LM of the 1960s.
A Modern Interpretation of a Legend
From a design perspective, the 296 GTB is striking and distinctly modern. It stands apart from anything else in the segment, subtly echoing the styling of the 250LM, even without the optional graphics package.
Performance and Driving Experience: A New Era for Ferrari
To initiate motion, simply give the steering wheel boss a double press and engage first gear. The 296 GTB always starts in Hybrid mode, allowing you to silently glide away using electric power. You can override this using the haptic driver mode ‘buttons’ on the left side of the steering wheel or switch to Performance or Qualifying modes. In these settings, both power sources work in harmony, with Performance prioritizing battery recharging while Qualifying maximizes power output regardless of battery charge.
Driving quietly through villages is an unexpectedly refined pleasure, and the damping is so sophisticated that the 296 GTB is a comfortable grand tourer. It even offers a reasonable luggage space in the ‘frunk’—a rarity in this segment.
However, the question on every enthusiast’s mind is: what does the 296 GTB feel like when both the engine and electric motor are working at full capacity? The answer lies in its response to low-rev acceleration in high gears. The 296 GTB simply surges forward without lag, making you question the need for gear changes. With eight gears and an engine that revs to 8500rpm, the 296 GTB delivers a thrilling and exhilarating experience.
As the specifications suggest, the acceleration is intense and addictive. This is a seriously rapid machine, accompanied by a soundtrack that perfectly complements the tuneful V6 rasp with engaging turbo spool effects.
Ride and Handling: Exhilaration Meets Precision
The Ferrari 296 GTB excels in handling agility, proving that Ferrari delivered on its promise of a fun-to-drive supercar. It feels highly responsive without bordering on nervous. The steering is characteristically light and fast but offers enough detail to keep the driver engaged. While grip levels are exceptionally high, the 296 GTB remains throttle-adjustable, making for an incredibly exciting driving experience.
The car feels significantly lighter than its 1470kg dry weight suggests, exhibiting a lack of inertia that encourages smooth, precise inputs. The CT Off mode allows for audacious driving with the reassurance of electronic safety nets, but even with everything disabled, the 296 GTB can be coaxed into oversteer in a way that belies its 819bhp output.
On the track, the 296 GTB makes even long straights feel short. The power is easily accessible to break rear traction, but the car is also highly sensitive to braking and steering inputs. Precision yields the greatest reward.
The incredible turn-in accuracy and responsiveness dramatically shorten the entry phase of every corner. Instead of easing the car into turns, the 296 GTB sets its line instantly, thanks to the Multimatic dampers and the ultra-quick steering. The added roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup ensures precision and control even during aggressive cornering. Whether you’ve just stepped out of a conventional sports car or a supercar, the 296 GTB offers phenomenal agility and precision lap after lap.
The Interior Experience: Refinement Meets Technology
The cabin architecture of the 296 GTB is heavily influenced by the SF90, featuring a fully digital interface with haptic switchgear that is a defining characteristic of modern Ferraris. While this setup offers a wealth of information, it can be complicated to use. Simple operations sometimes require multiple attempts, and discerning whether a press has registered successfully can be difficult. Nevertheless, the cabin feels like a special place to be.
Ferrari 296 GTB vs. The Competition
When faced with such advanced technology, there is always the risk that a car becomes less than the
