Ferrari 296 GTB 2025 Review: Will the Lamborghini Temerario Redefine the Hybrid Hypercar?
For the past couple of years, Ferrari’s V6 hybrid supercar has been the benchmark for what an electrified performance machine can achieve. Even as we look ahead to rivals like the Lamborghini Temerario—tipped to arrive with a staggering 10,000rpm, 903bhp V8 hybrid setup—the 296 GTB remains a compelling proposition, blending cutting-edge technology with the visceral soul of the Prancing Horse.
A Paradigm Shift in Supercar Design
The introduction of the 296 GTB in 2022 marked a fundamental departure for Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar lineage. Dispensing with the revered, multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8, Maranello embraced a radical new direction: a twin-turbocharged V6 engine seamlessly integrated with electrical augmentation. This move positioned the 296 GTB at the vanguard of a segment still gradually embracing hybrid power, setting a new standard for performance and efficiency.
At its debut, the 296 GTB faced stiff competition from the naturally aspirated V10-powered Lamborghini Huracán. While the Huracán offered a more traditional, high-revving V10 charisma and raw acoustic presence, the 296 GTB’s performance credentials dwarfed it. It also stood against the ferocious McLaren 720S, which maintained its twin-turbo V8 prowess. However, the landscape has since evolved. While the McLaren 750S represents a refined iteration of an established theme, prioritizing power-to-weight supremacy, the 903bhp, 10,000rpm twin-turbo V8 Lamborghini Temerario emerges as a direct and uncompromising challenger to Ferrari’s 819bhp hybrid Berlinetta.
Technical Mastery and Unprecedented Performance
The 296 GTB is engineered to impress. At its core lies an all-new, 120-degree twin-turbo V6 engine working in concert with a powerful electric motor. Unlike the hybrid hypercar flagship SF90, the 296 employs a rear-wheel-drive layout, ensuring a purer, more engaging driving experience. Delivering a combined output of 819bhp, the 296 GTB redefined supercar conventions, proving that downsizing the combustion engine does not mean sacrificing performance.
The sheer power output of the 296 GTB is undeniably awe-inspiring. It inevitably raises questions about the future trajectory of hypercar performance and the practical limits of where such power can be utilized—a discussion that Lamborghini seems determined to address with the Temerario.
Crucially, the 296 GTB is the first V6-powered Ferrari road car, harking back to the delectable 246 GT Dino (though it never officially wore the Prancing Horse emblem during its production run). It also pioneered the ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger configuration—where the turbos sit within the engine’s V-angle to minimize lag and package them tightly—and features a plug-in hybrid system with an EV-only range of approximately 15 miles.
The compact V6 is mounted low in a new aluminum chassis, featuring a 50mm shorter wheelbase compared to its V8-engined predecessors. This geometric optimization, combined with a slightly forward seating position for the occupants, enhances agility and responsiveness.
Powertrain Dynamics: The Harmony of V6 and Electric Power
The electric motor contributes a substantial 165bhp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The V6 alone delivers a staggering 654bhp and 546 lb-ft. Ferrari notably refrains from publishing the combined peak torque figure, likely due to the sophisticated interaction between the engine and electric motor management systems, though it is safe to assume the total is substantial.
The synergy between these power sources provides several advantages. The V6 unit itself is approximately 30kg lighter than one of Ferrari’s V8 engines, while remaining coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The battery pack, a long oblong structure, is positioned behind the rear seats, contributing to an optimized weight distribution.
Advanced Chassis Electronics: A New Era of Control
No Ferrari is complete without a sophisticated array of acronym-laden electronic chassis systems, and the 296 GTB is no exception. It introduces Ferrari’s proprietary six-axis sensor, known as 6w-CDS. This advanced unit measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z axes, replacing the conventional yaw sensor.
In conjunction with a sensor on the steering rack, the 6w-CDS system provides an unprecedented understanding of the vehicle’s dynamic state. It monitors not only driver inputs but also the grip levels at the tire contact patches. This data allows the system to optimize Side Slip Control (SSC) and the active E-Diff to maximize cornering speeds without compromising stability.
The 296 GTB also features ABS-evo, a braking system that leverages the brake-by-wire technology. This enhancement allows for shorter braking distances and improved stability during trail braking, particularly noticeable when pushing the car on the track.
Aerodynamic Ingenuity: Harnessing the Air
For the first time, Ferrari is utilizing its active aerodynamics not to reduce drag, but to generate downforce. The vehicle claims a maximum figure of 360kg at 155mph, with the rear wing contributing up to 100kg of that total through active deployment.
The cooling system is a marvel of packaging efficiency. Two radiators in the nose handle engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two condensers for battery thermal management. Hot air is expelled from the underbody to prevent interference with the cooling air directed into the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. The small apertures beneath the headlights are designed to intake air for brake cooling, while the wing integrated at the rear roofline helps create a ‘virtual’ rear screen, effectively channeling airflow to the rear of the car as if guided by a surface.
The majority of the 296 GTB’s downforce is generated beneath the car. Engineers paid meticulous attention to the height of the underbody and the efficiency of the diffuser, ensuring these surfaces work in harmony to produce maximum downforce with minimal drag.
The Assetto Fiorano Experience: Track-Focused Performance
The 296 GTB models tested at the launch were all equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units inspired by GT racing technology and adds further carbon aerodynamic elements to the nose, increasing front downforce by an additional 20kg.
The package includes more carbon fiber throughout the cabin, such as the door panels, and on the exterior, resulting in a total weight saving of 12kg. This can be further increased to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. Furthermore, Fiorano cars can be fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires instead of the standard Pilot Sport 4S tires, offering enhanced grip and track capability. A special exterior graphics package, inspired by the 250LM of the 1960s, is also available.
Having experienced the 296 GTB extensively, we can attest to its beauty. It stands apart from anything else in the market and arguably rivals the 250LM, even without the distinctive graphics package.
Performance and 0-62mph: Instant Gratification
Engaging the Ferrari 296 GTB is a simple process: a double tap on the bottom of the steering wheel boss, followed by engaging first gear. The car always defaults to Hybrid mode, utilizing electric power for initial movement unless manually overridden. As long as throttle inputs are managed gently and the battery has sufficient charge, the 296 GTB can operate on pure electric power.
Drivers can select EV mode to force electric-only operation, regardless of throttle demand. Alternatively, the Performance and Qualifying modes activate both power sources. In Performance mode, the systems work together while prioritizing battery charging, whereas Qualifying mode delivers ultimate performance with no regard for the battery’s state of charge.
Cruising quietly through urban environments is an unexpected pleasure. The damping is exceptionally refined, making it a surprisingly comfortable grand tourer. Even the front storage area, the ‘frunk’, is reasonably sized, offering more practicality than the Ferrari SF90. However, the question on everyone’s mind is: what does the 296 GTB feel like when both the engine and electric motor are unleashed?
The answer lies in the mid-range acceleration. Plant the throttle in a high gear at low revs, and the 296 GTB simply bolts forward with zero perceptible lag. This instant response might make one question the need for gears at all, given the potency on tap. Nevertheless, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is a marvel, paired with an engine that revs to 8500rpm. When you truly uncork the 296, the sensation is absolutely staggering.
The acceleration figures speak for themselves: 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. The rate of acceleration is intensely rapid, inducing a delightful mix of exhilaration and nervous laughter. It is addictive, visceral, and profoundly engaging. While the Ferrari 2
