Ferrari 296 GTB Review: The Benchmark for Lamborghini Temerario
Since its 2022 introduction, the Ferrari 296 GTB has established itself as a paradigm shift in mid-engined supercar engineering. Abandoning the celebrated twin-turbo V8 in favor of a compact, high-revving twin-turbo V6 augmented by electric power, the 296 GTB led the charge in an elite segment still evolving toward hybridization. While its contemporary, the naturally aspirated Lamborghini Huracán, offered V10 charm and raucous acoustics, and the McLaren 720S (later the 750S) relied on pure twin-turbo V8 muscle, Ferrari’s 819hp hybrid Berlinetta fundamentally altered the competitive landscape. The impending arrival of the 903hp, 10,000rpm twin-turbo V8-hybrid Lamborghini Temerario presents the ultimate challenge to Maranello’s pioneering hybrid achievement.
The Ferrari 296 GTB boasts prodigious output, immediately prompting questions about the limits of power escalation in production supercars—a concern that seems top of mind for Lamborghini, given the Temerario’s specifications. This discussion of performance, however, often obscures the significance of the 296 GTB itself. It marks Ferrari’s first V6-powered road car (the Dino 246 GT never bore the Prancing Horse badge during its production run), pioneers the “hot-vee” turbocharger layout, and incorporates plug-in hybrid technology with a modest electric-only range of roughly 15 miles. The compact V6 sits low within a new aluminum chassis, offering a 50mm reduction in wheelbase compared to its V8 predecessors, with the driver positioned slightly forward for improved weight distribution.
The powertrain architecture is sophisticated. The electric motor delivers a substantial 165hp and 232lb-ft of torque, perfectly complementing the 654hp and 546lb-ft generated by the V6. While Ferrari strategically refrains from quoting combined peak torque figures, presumably due to the complex synchronization of these power sources, the cumulative output is considerable. Overall, the V6 unit shaves 66 pounds off the weight of a typical Ferrari V8, and it mates to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The rectangular battery pack resides discreetly behind the passenger compartment.
No Ferrari would be complete without its signature suite of electronic chassis systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari introduced the “six-axis sensor,” referred to as 6w-CDS, which measures acceleration and rotational velocity across all three spatial planes (X, Y, and Z).
Replacing the conventional yaw sensor, and in conjunction with a sensor mounted on the steering rack, the 6w-CDS provides the car with real-time awareness of driver inputs and dynamic grip levels at the contact patch. This data feeds into the Side Slip Control (SSC) and active E-Diff systems, maximizing cornering speeds while maintaining stability. Additionally, this architecture enables ABS-evo—an advanced brake-by-wire system that improves braking performance under trail braking, particularly in RACE mode and above.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari utilizes active aerodynamics not to reduce drag, but to generate downforce. The firm claims a figure of 360kg at 155mph, with the active rear wing contributing up to 100kg of that downforce.
Cooling strategies are meticulously integrated into the design. Two radiators in the front fascia manage engine and gearbox heat, supplemented by two condensers dedicated to battery cooling. Exhaust heat is routed downward to avoid disrupting the airflow entering the intercoolers positioned along the car’s flanks. The small apertures beneath the headlamps draw air to cool the front brakes, while the integrated roof spoiler acts as a “virtual rear screen,” guiding airflow toward the rear of the vehicle. The majority of the 296 GTB’s downforce originates from the underbody, where extensive attention has been paid not only to airflow management and the rear diffuser but also to the ride height, optimizing the efficiency of these surfaces.
The initial brief test drives of the 296 GTB on a circuit confirmed that the cars were equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic items derived from GT racing and adds carbon aerodynamic enhancements to the nose, increasing front downforce by 20kg.
Inside, the cabin benefits from further carbon fiber applications, such as the door panels, and exterior components, resulting in a total weight reduction of 12kg, or 15kg when the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. Cars equipped with the Fiorano pack can also be ordered with a custom exterior graphics package inspired by the livery of the 250LM from the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 GTB, we find it a visually striking machine, distinct from anything else in the segment. It possesses a clear design affinity with the 250LM of the 1960s, even without the more divisive graphics package.
Performance and Acceleration Dynamics
Engaging the powertrain is a simple two-finger press on the bottom of the steering wheel hub, followed by selecting first gear. The 296 GTB defaults to Hybrid mode, allowing the car to move away using electric power alone unless overridden. By moderating throttle input, the vehicle can continue running on electric power (provided the battery is charged).
Drivers can elect to “force” EV mode, overriding powertrain demands, or select the Performance or Qualifying modes. These modes engage both power sources: Performance optimizes power delivery while managing battery charge, whereas Qualifying prioritizes ultimate performance, indifferent to the battery’s state of charge.
The quiet glide through villages offers an unexpected pleasure, and the sophisticated damping makes it a surprisingly comfortable vehicle for covering long distances. The luggage capacity in the front trunk is respectable, a distinct advantage over the SF90. However, the essential question remains: what is the 296 GTB like when both the engine and electric motor are fully unleashed?
The answer is evident when planting the throttle at low revs in a high gear: the 296 GTB accelerates with absolute immediacy, negating any sense of lag and making one question the necessity of gears. Yet, there are eight speeds to exploit, and an engine that revs to 8,500rpm. When the 296 GTB is properly uncorked, the sensation is breathtaking.
As the figures indicate, the acceleration is exhilarating, bordering on intoxicating, yet weirdly addictive. This is a seriously rapid machine. The acoustics are equally impressive, with ample turbo sound effects layering the pleasing rasp of the V6.
Ride and Handling Philosophy
The most impressive aspect of the 296 GTB is the responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s objective—to make the car “fun to drive”—is fully realized. It exhibits remarkable agility without feeling nervous. The steering is typically light and fast, but crucially, it offers precise feedback. While grip levels are exceptionally high, the car remains throttle-adjustable in a way that is deeply rewarding and confidence-inspiring.
It feels substantially lighter than its dry weight of 1,470kg suggests, displaying a lack of inertia that encourages driver engagement through small inputs and precise control. The CT Off mode allows drivers to explore the car’s limits with the reassurance of an advanced electronic safety net, but even with all systems deactivated, the 296 GTB’s innate balance allows it to be teased into oversteer in a manner one would never expect from an 819hp supercar.
On a closed circuit, the 296 GTB makes even long straights feel abbreviated. What becomes even more apparent is the car’s precision. The power is sufficient to break traction at the rear at many points around the lap, but the 296 GTB is also extremely sensitive to braking and steering inputs, teaching the driver that precision yields the greatest reward.
The incredible turn-in accuracy and response dramatically shorten the entry phase of every corner. Rather than easing into turns and allowing loads to build, the 296 GTB settles into its line immediately, its Multimatic dampers and ultra-quick steering perfectly matching the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even if one has just exited a conventional sports car, the speed, precision, and agility of the 296 GTB are phenomenal and a joy to experience lap after lap.
Interior Experience
The cabin architecture is familiar to anyone who has sat in an SF90, as the 296 GTB borrows heavily from that car’s design language. The fully digital interface and its accompanying haptic switchgear are a point of contention, applied liberally across the steering wheel and on traditional Ferrari pods flanking the wheel.
It is undoubtedly complex, but this complexity stems from the sheer volume of information being presented. The primary frustration arises when simple operations require a second press after the initial attempt fails, or when the driver is uncertain whether a press has been registered successfully. Despite these ergonomic challenges, the cabin feels like a truly special place to be.
Technical Deep Dive: Suspension andAerodynamics
The 6w-CDS Sensor Suite
The integration of the 6w-CDS sensor represents a significant leap forward in vehicle dynamics control. This six-axis unit provides an unprecedentedly granular understanding of the car’s motion. By precisely measuring acceleration along the X, Y, and Z axes, as well as rotational velocity about the pitch, roll, and yaw axes,
