Ferrari 296 GTB 2025 Review – The Benchmark for Lamborghini’s Next-Gen Supercar
The Prancing Horse has successfully merged V6 power with electric innovation, but the competition is heating up with the rumored introduction of the Lamborghini Temerario.
When Ferrari introduced the 296 GTB in 2022, it marked a watershed moment for the brand. This sleek, mid-engined supercar signaled a bold departure from the twin-turbo V8 powerplants that had defined Ferrari’s production models for years. In their place, Ferrari integrated a sophisticated 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, ingeniously fused with a hybrid electric system. This architectural pivot was both timely and strategic; as the hypercar segment began its inevitable evolution towards hybridization, the 296 GTB emerged as a pioneer, establishing a new benchmark for the class.
However, the supercar landscape is unforgiving, and Ferrari’s calculated risk immediately invited scrutiny. Traditional competitors, such as the naturally aspirated V10-powered Lamborghini Huracán, found themselves rapidly displaced in the public imagination by the sheer ferocity of this new configuration. Yet, the true challenge to the 296 GTB’s reign did not emanate from existing models, but from the promise of Lamborghini’s impending innovation. With whispers of a 903bhp hybrid powerhouse, dubbed internally as the “Temerario,” slated to make its debut, Maranello’s 819bhp plug-in hybrid Berlinetta finds itself squarely in the crosshairs of its fiercest rival.
The arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB was not merely a refresh of the existing lineup; it was a fundamental rewrite of the Italian supercar formula. It is the first production road car to wear the Prancing Horse emblem to be powered by a V6 engine, though fans of the classic Dino will recall the legacy of that iconic nameplate. Furthermore, the 296 GTB is the first Ferrari to feature a “hot-vee” turbocharger arrangement, where the exhaust manifolds and turbochargers are positioned in the valley of the engine block. This design significantly reduces turbo lag and centralizes heat mass.
The electric component is no mere afterthought; it is integral to the performance philosophy. Delivering 165bhp, the electric motor complements the 654bhp V6 to yield a combined output of 819bhp, propelling the rear wheels exclusively. Unlike the four-wheel-drive SF90 Stradale, the 296 GTB maintains a purist, rear-wheel-drive dynamic, a decision that speaks volumes about Ferrari’s commitment to driver engagement.
It’s easy to become mesmerized by the headline power figures. When numbers like 819 horsepower are deployed in a two-seater chassis, the implications are profound. Yet, as the automotive industry accelerates toward greater efficiency and electrification, one must question the end game of this power escalation—and whether there are still roads where such performance can be truly utilized.
The chassis architecture of the 296 GTB represents another significant technological leap. The V6 engine is mounted lower than its V8 predecessors, and the wheelbase has been shortened by 50mm, effectively tightening the car’s handling characteristics. The occupants are positioned slightly further forward to optimize weight distribution and driver connection to the chassis. While Ferrari does not explicitly cite combined peak torque, likely due to the complex interplay between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, the V6 unit alone produces a remarkable 546lb ft.
Complementing this powertrain is an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that has become the gold standard for high-performance applications, lauded for its speed, smoothness, and seamless integration. The battery pack, a long-form lithium-ion unit, is strategically located behind the seats, keeping the center of gravity low.
Crucially, Ferrari has not relied on sheer power alone to differentiate the 296 GTB. It is equipped with a suite of advanced electronic chassis control systems, anchored by a cutting-edge six-axis sensor known as 6w-CDS. This technology measures acceleration and rotational velocity across the X, Y, and Z planes, replacing the conventional yaw sensor and providing the car with an almost precognitive understanding of its dynamics.
In conjunction with the 6w-CDS, the 296 GTB employs Side Slip Control (SSC) and an active electronic differential (E-diff) to maximize cornering speeds while maintaining unwavering stability. This sophisticated synergy enables the debut of ABS-evo in RACE mode and above. By leveraging the brake-by-wire system, the 296 GTB achieves significantly shorter braking distances and vastly improved control during trail-braking maneuvers, a critical element for performance driving.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari has deployed active aerodynamics not to minimize drag, but to maximize downforce. The rear wing, integrated seamlessly into the rear decklid, generates up to 100kg of downforce at 155 mph, contributing to the total claimed figure of 360kg at that speed.
Thermal management is a critical challenge in any hybrid supercar, and Ferrari has addressed this with a meticulous airflow strategy. The front of the car houses two radiators dedicated to engine and gearbox cooling, along with two condensers for the battery pack. Hot air is expelled underneath the vehicle to prevent it from disrupting the intercoolers situated along the flanks. Small apertures beneath the headlights are designed to draw air into the brake cooling ducts, while the roofline spoiler acts as a “virtual” rear screen, channeling airflow to the rear of the car as if it were following a continuous surface.
The primary source of downforce in the 296 GTB is the underbody. Engineers focused intensely on optimizing the diffuser and maintaining the optimal ground clearance to maximize the effectiveness of these aerodynamic surfaces.
The Ferrari 296 GTB we experienced at the launch was fitted with the Assetto Fiorano package. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units derived from GT racing, which provide superior mechanical feedback and stability under extreme cornering loads. The package also adds further carbon aerodynamic enhancements to the nose, increasing front downforce by 20kg and sharpening turn-in.
Inside the cabin, the Assetto Fiorano package includes lightweight carbon fiber door panels and other interior trim elements, resulting in an overall weight reduction of 12kg. Opting for the optional Lexan rear engine cover further shaves 3kg from the total. For track enthusiasts, the Fiorano package can be specified with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, offering significantly greater mechanical grip than the standard Pilot Sport 4S tires. A retro exterior graphics package, inspired by the classic 250LM, is also available.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 GTB, we can confirm that its aesthetics are undeniable. It is a truly beautiful machine, possessing a unique visual signature that sets it apart from anything else in the segment. Even without the optional livery, the car bears a striking resemblance to the iconic 250LM from the 1960s.
Performance and Acceleration
Getting underway is as simple as double-tapping the lower boss of the steering wheel and engaging first gear. The 296 GTB always defaults to Hybrid mode, meaning it will pull away on electric power alone unless instructed otherwise via the haptic mode selectors on the steering wheel. By modulating the throttle carefully, the car will continue on electric power alone, provided the battery has sufficient charge.
Drivers can elect to engage EV mode exclusively, regardless of the powertrain’s capabilities, or choose from Performance and Qualifying modes. In these settings, both power sources work in tandem. Performance mode prioritizes smooth delivery while managing battery levels, whereas Qualifying mode unleashes the car’s full potential, disregarding the battery’s state of charge.
There is a sublime pleasure in gliding through city streets in near-total silence. The damping is remarkably sophisticated, making the 296 GTB a comfortable companion for long journeys. Surprisingly, it even features a reasonable luggage compartment in the front trunk, a distinction it holds over the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
However, the true test of this vehicle lies in how it responds when the engine and electric motor are fully engaged. The clue is apparent in the low-end response: planting the throttle in a high gear results in immediate, visceral acceleration. The 296 simply leaps forward, with no hint of turbo lag. It’s so potent that one might momentarily question the necessity of gears, yet there are eight of them to explore, paired with an engine that revs to an astonishing 8,500rpm.
When you truly uncork the 296, the sensation is absolutely startling. The 0-62 mph acceleration is a breathtaking, heart-pounding experience, bordering on the absurd but undeniably addictive. This is a machine of devastating speed. It also sounds exceptional, combining turbo spool effects with a beautiful, tuneful V6 rasp that builds intensity as the revs climb.
Ride and Handling Dynamics
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is the responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari was correct when they stated their objective was to make this car “fun to drive.” The vehicle feels incredibly agile without ever becoming nervous or twitchy. The steering is characteristically light and precise, but crucially, it also delivers detailed tactile feedback. While grip levels are exceptionally high, as one would expect from such a machine, the 296 is also highly throttle-adjustable, enabling drivers to provoke spectacular slides that induce nothing but smiles.
It feels substantially lighter than its dry weight of 1,470 kg suggests. There is a remarkable lack of inertia throughout the chassis, encouraging the
