The Electrifying Heartbeat of Modern Supercars: A Decade of Driving the Ferrari 296 GTB’s Legacy
For a seasoned enthusiast who’s spent ten years immersed in the exhilarating world of performance autom
obiles, the advent of electrification hasn’t just been a trend – it’s been a revolution. We’ve witnessed the raw, visceral appeal of naturally aspirated engines slowly cede ground to the potent, yet often sterile, force-fed V8s. Then came the hybrids. Initially met with a healthy dose of skepticism by purists, this new era of electrified performance is now firmly established, and at its forefront, pushing boundaries and redefining expectations, stands the Ferrari 296 GTB.
Having been on the scene for a couple of years now, the 296 GTB continues to captivate and astound, even as whispers of an even more potent, 10,000rpm, 903bhp Lamborghini rival, the Temerario, echo through the automotive landscape. It’s a testament to Ferrari’s unwavering commitment to innovation that their V6 hybrid supercar, a machine that dared to depart from the much-lauded V8, remains such a compelling proposition in the face of such fierce, and frankly, audacious, competition.
The arrival of the 296 GTB in 2022 marked a significant inflection point for Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar lineage. The departure from the multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8 in favor of a groundbreaking twin-turbo V6, augmented by an electric motor, positioned the 296 GTB as a pioneer in a segment that was only just beginning its inevitable transition to hybrid power. Back then, its primary sparring partners were the Lamborghini Huracán, with its soul-stirring naturally aspirated V10, and the ferocious McLaren 720S, still championing the twin-turbo V8. While the subsequent McLaren 750S has evolved that theme, focusing on power-to-weight supremacy, the Lamborghini Temerario, with its staggering 903bhp, 10,000rpm hybrid powertrain, represents Lamborghini’s direct challenge to Maranello’s 819bhp electrified Berlinetta.
Yes, the 296 GTB is a force to be reckoned with, packing an extraordinary amount of firepower. Its all-new 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine, paired with an electric motor powering only the rear wheels – a departure from the four-wheel-drive SF90 – delivers a combined output of 819bhp. This wasn’t just an incremental upgrade; it was a complete reimagining of what a Ferrari supercar could be, shattering conventions with its audacious blend of combustion and electric propulsion.
It’s easy to be awestruck by such staggering performance figures, and one might ponder the ultimate limits of this power escalation – and more importantly, where and how one might truly exploit such capabilities. But for now, let’s focus on the machine itself. The 296 GTB holds the distinction of being Ferrari’s first V6-powered road car (the enchanting 246 GT Dino, while a V6, never bore the iconic prancing horse badge in its era). It also introduces a novel ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger configuration and, crucially, operates as a plug-in hybrid, offering an estimated 15 miles of pure electric range. This compact V6 is nestled low within a new aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase reduced by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, which subtly shifts the occupants’ seating position slightly forward.
The electric motor contributes an impressive 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 alone unleashes a monumental 654bhp and 546lb ft. The combined output reaches that headline-grabbing 819bhp. Ferrari understandably refrains from quoting a combined peak torque figure, likely due to the complex interplay between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. However, it’s safe to assume the resulting torque figure is nothing short of prodigious. The V6 unit itself is approximately 30kg lighter than a comparable Ferrari V8, and it’s mated to a lightning-fast eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a long, slender unit, is strategically positioned behind the seats, contributing to the car’s balanced weight distribution.
No modern Ferrari would be complete without an arsenal of sophisticated electronic chassis control systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari has developed an advanced six-axis sensor, dubbed the 6w-CDS (six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor). This system meticulously measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z axes, effectively replacing traditional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor integrated into the steering rack, it grants the car an unparalleled understanding of both the driver’s intentions and the precise grip levels at the tire contact patches. This data feeds into systems like Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff, orchestrating maximum cornering speeds while steadfastly preserving stability and driver confidence. Furthermore, it enables a novel ABS-evo system, operational in RACE mode and above. This system, leveraging the 296’s brake-by-wire technology, not only shortens braking distances but also enhances braking performance during trail-braking maneuvers into corners, a crucial element for lap-time optimization.
In a fascinating development, Ferrari is employing its active aerodynamics not for drag reduction, but for generating downforce. The manufacturer quotes an impressive 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with a significant portion, up to 100kg, being contributed by a deployable rear wing.
The car’s thermal management is a masterclass in engineering. Two radiators are integrated into the front for engine and gearbox cooling, complemented by two condensers dedicated to cooling the battery pack. Hot air is expertly expelled from beneath the car, ensuring it doesn’t impede the flow of cooling air directed to the intercoolers along the car’s flanks. The discreet apertures below the headlamps are dedicated to brake cooling, while a rear roofline-integrated wing creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, effectively channeling air towards the rear of the car as if guided by a physical surface. The majority of the 296’s downforce is generated from underneath, where meticulous attention has been paid not only to air channeling and the rear diffuser but also to maintaining optimal underbody ground clearance, maximizing the effectiveness of these downforce-generating surfaces.
The 296 GTBs we sampled on the circuit during their launch were all equipped with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. This extensive upgrade swaps the standard dampers for Multimatic units, derived from GT racing technology, and incorporates additional carbon aerodynamic elements on the front splitter, contributing an extra 20kg of front downforce. The package also judiciously employs more carbon fiber throughout the cabin, including the door panels, and on exterior elements, resulting in a total weight saving of 12kg. This saving can be further enhanced by an additional 3kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. For those seeking ultimate track performance, the Fiorano package can be further augmented with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the already capable standard Pilot Sport 4S. Visually, Fiorano-equipped cars can also be optioned with a distinctive exterior graphics package, paying homage to the iconic 250LM from the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time scrutinizing the 296 GTB in person, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable. It possesses a unique beauty, unlike anything else on the road, with subtle echoes of the 1960s 250LM, even without the more polarizing graphics.
Performance and Driving Dynamics: Electrifying Acceleration and Surgical Precision
Engaging the powertrain is initiated by a double press on the lower section of the steering wheel boss, followed by selecting first gear. The 296 GTB defaults to Hybrid mode, allowing for silent, electric-only departure unless the driver consciously overrides this via the intuitive haptic mode selectors on the left side of the steering wheel boss. With judicious throttle application, the car will continue to glide on electric power alone, provided sufficient battery charge is available.
Drivers can also manually engage ‘eDrive’ mode, forcing purely electric propulsion regardless of throttle demands. Alternatively, ‘Performance’ and ‘Qualifying’ modes offer escalating levels of exhilaration. In ‘Performance’ mode, both power sources collaborate to deliver potent acceleration while simultaneously working to maintain battery charge. ‘Qualifying’ mode, however, unleashes the full, unadulterated fury of the powertrain, prioritizing ultimate performance above all else, with no concern for the battery’s state of charge.
The experience of gliding silently through urban landscapes is an unexpected delight. The adaptive damping system is remarkably sophisticated, making it a surprisingly comfortable and refined machine for covering long distances. There’s even a practical luggage compartment in the ‘frunk’ – a welcome feature absent in the SF90. But the question on everyone’s mind, the one that truly ignites the imagination, is what happens when both the V6 and the electric motor are unleashed in their full glory?
The answer becomes immediately apparent when you plant the throttle from low revs in a high gear: the 296 simply lunges forward with a ferocity that momentarily makes you question the very necessity of gear ratios, such is its immediate potency. And yet, there are eight gears to exploit, and an engine that eagerly spins to 8500rpm. When you truly uncork the 296, the effect is nothing short of astonishing.
As the figures suggest – a blistering 0-62mph sprint in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 205mph – the rate of acceleration is of the exhilarating, hold-on-tight, nervous-laughter variety. It verges on the intense, yet is paradoxically addictive. This is a profoundly rapid automobile. And the sound? It’s equally captivating, with a symphony of turbocharger whistle harmonizing with the sonorous rasp of the V6, creating a truly unique auditory experience.
Ride and Handling: A Masterclass in Agility and Driver Engagement
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is the extraordinary responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s promise of a car designed for pure driving enjoyment is not an exaggeration; it’s a fundamental truth. The car feels incredibly agile without ever becoming twitchy or nervous. The steering, typically light and incredibly quick, still manages to impart a surprising amount of feedback from the road surface. While the grip levels are, as one would expect, exceptionally high, the car remains delightfully throttle-adjustable, capable of inducing grins with every subtle adjustment.
Despite its dry weight of 1470kg, the 296 GTB feels significantly lighter. There’s a remarkable lack of inertia, an invitation to work with the car, making minute inputs and reveling in its uncanny accuracy and precision. Engaging ‘CT Off’ mode (Traction Control Off) allows for remarkable liberties, yet it’s always underpinned by the reassuring knowledge that an electronic guardian, far more intelligent than any human, is looking out for you. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the inherent balance of the 296 GTB allows it to be playfully coaxed into oversteer in a manner that seems almost impossible for a car with 819bhp.
On the track, the 296 GTB has the uncanny ability to make even the longest start-finish straight feel remarkably short. What becomes even more apparent is its surgical precision. While the power is readily available to break rear traction at numerous points around the lap, the 296 GTB is also acutely sensitive to braking and steering inputs. It quickly becomes clear that precision with the controls yields the most rewarding results. The turn-in accuracy and responsiveness are phenomenal, dramatically shortening the entry phase of every corner. Instead of easing the car into turns and gradually building load, the 296 GTB settles into its line instantaneously, aided by its Multimatic dampers and the hyper-quick steering, which harmonizes beautifully with the enhanced roll support provided by the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even for drivers accustomed to more conventional sports cars, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the 296 GTB are nothing short of exhilarating, offering a joyful experience lap after lap.
Interior: A Digital Frontier with a Familiar Ferrari Soul
The cabin architecture will feel familiar to anyone who has spent time in an SF90, as the 296 GTB inherits much of its interior design language. The all-digital interface and its associated haptic switchgear present a learning curve, particularly the extensive use of touch-sensitive controls integrated into the steering wheel and the traditional Ferrari pods flanking it.
It is undeniably complex, and to be fair, there is a significant amount of information to convey. However, the most frustrating aspect is how seemingly simple operations sometimes require a second, deliberate press after the initial attempt fails to register, or indeed, even to confirm that a press has been successful. Nevertheless, the cabin undeniably exudes a special, focused ambiance.
Evo Car of the Year 2022 Verdict: A Revolution Recognized
The sentiment from the esteemed jury at evo magazine for their 2022 Car of the Year awards underscored the profound impact of the 296 GTB. The competition was incredibly close, with the McLaren Artura running neck-and-neck. Judges were evenly split, with three narrowly favoring the Ferrari and three opting for the McLaren.
Those who championed the 296 GTB – including lead road tester Jethro Bovingdon – were effusive in their praise. “What a spectacular car,” Bovingdon enthused. “Beautiful to look at, outrageously fast, amazingly exploitable, and so technically clever. Its V6 shows McLaren how to downsize but turn up the drama, and it matches the Artura in terms of sheer control but feels a bit more playful and indulgent.”
Dickie Meaden echoed this sentiment, declaring it “the first genuinely beautiful Ferrari since the F355,” a sentiment many on the team shared. He further lauded the hybrid system’s seamless integration, noting, “it doesn’t change the driving experience as much as I’d feared. Probably because we’ve already got used to the torquey characteristics of the turbocharged V8 in the 488 and F8. The 296 is stonkingly quick, but doesn’t rely solely on speed thanks to the character of the V6, which has a soundtrack that’s always sweet and changes with throttle opening.”
While the Ferrari’s hybridisation was widely praised, a notable incident occurred where the car was left stranded after the battery depleted with no obvious means of recovery. Ferrari had indeed warned of this possibility and provided guidance to mitigate such occurrences. However, the judges acknowledged that an owner could potentially find themselves in a similar predicament. As Gallagher pointed out, “the company who introduced individual rear-wheel steering to its cars can’t engineer a simple fail-safe to prevent this happening is a huge oversight.” Fortunately for the 296, this occurred after all scoring was completed.
Ferrari’s signature ultra-quick steering proved divisive among the judges, and the brake feel didn’t quite match the very best in class. The tech interface also drew considerable criticism for its excessive complexity. However, despite these drawbacks, the 296 was deemed irresistibly seductive. Vivian admitted, “I thought I wouldn’t like the Fezza all that much – too complex, rather gratuitous points of difference. But I ended up somewhat bewitched: the spooky way it changes direction; its amazing damping and looney-tunes levels of grip; the linearity of seemingly never-ending power…”
Peter Tomalin, in his concluding remarks for evo Car of the Year 2022, summarized the 296’s triumph: “It’s a real return to form for Ferrari, after the SF90 left us cold last year. As Sutcliffe said: ‘The 296 is way more successful because its technical sophistication, and the integration of its hybrid technology in particular, feels much more natural, and far less intrusive.’ And Gallagher agreed: ‘Ferrari has taken so much from the SF90, learnt from that car and distilled it into a series production model that’s one of its very best.’”
Price, Rivals, and the Future of Supercars: A New Benchmark
When a car is so densely packed with advanced technology, there’s always a risk that it might become less than the sum of its parts. This was an observation made with the SF90, which, while dazzling in its power, could feel somewhat unnerving due to its challenging driving characteristics.
The 296 GTB, however, charts a distinctly different course. As evidenced by its strong showing at the evo Car of the Year awards, where it secured joint third place alongside the McLaren Artura, it feels far more organic. Its masterful blend of prodigious power and engaging dynamics strikes an exquisite sweet spot, effectively redefining the very essence of a £250,000-ish supercar. Rumors of a ‘Versione Speciale’ variant, promising even greater power, performance, and intensity, are circulating, and one can only hope that the standard 296’s remarkably natural and intuitive feel is preserved.
It is precisely this aspect – the natural feel and profound driver engagement – that we hope Lamborghini has meticulously addressed when honing its hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an almost obscene amount of power for a series production supercar, capable of overwhelming the chassis if not perfectly resolved. If Lamborghini has indeed achieved this delicate balance, much as they demonstrably did with the Revuelto, then we are poised for a truly epic twin-test battle, featuring a combined output of nearly 1700bhp!
One could even elevate this to a 2400bhp triple threat by including the McLaren 750S. In this esteemed company, the 740bhp McLaren might seem like the minnow. However, it brings to the table a comparatively petite kerb weight of 1389kg, ensuring a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s raw, unadulterated feedback, ergonomic perfection, razor-sharp steering, and exquisitely deft chassis mark it out against the comparatively more insulated Ferrari.
Ferrari 296 GTB: Key Specifications
Engine: 2992cc V6, twin-turbocharged, with electric motor assistance
Transmission: Eight-speed, dual-clutch, with active E-diff
Combined Power: 819bhp @ 8000rpm
Torque: 546lb ft @ 6250rpm
Weight: 1470kg (dry) (566bhp/ton)
0-62mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 205mph
Price: £250,000+
The journey of the Ferrari 296 GTB, from its bold V6 hybridization to its nuanced driving dynamics, represents more than just an evolution; it’s a declaration of intent for the future of supercar performance. As the automotive landscape continues to shift, the 296 GTB stands as a beacon, demonstrating that electrification, when masterfully executed, can amplify, rather than diminish, the raw emotion and exhilarating engagement that defines the supercar experience.
Ready to experience the future of performance? Explore exclusive financing options and schedule your personal consultation with a Ferrari specialist today to learn more about the groundbreaking 296 GTB and its place in automotive history.

