The 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB: A Hybrid Masterpiece Challenging Supercar Conventions
For a decade, I’ve navigated the exhilarating, often bewildering, landscape of high-performance automobiles. My journey
has seen the evolution of automotive engineering from raw, unfiltered powerhouses to sophisticated, electronically managed marvels. In this realm, few marques command the reverence and passion of Ferrari. And now, with the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB, Maranello has not just entered a new chapter; they’ve penned a revolutionary manifesto for the supercar segment. This isn’t merely an evolution; it’s a paradigm shift, and it’s setting a formidable benchmark for rivals, most notably the eagerly anticipated Lamborghini Temerario.
The arrival of the 296 GTB in 2022 marked an unprecedented departure for Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar lineage. The decision to retire the celebrated, multi-award-winning twin-turbo V8 in favor of a groundbreaking twin-turbocharged V6, bolstered by electric augmentation, was a bold statement. This strategic pivot positioned the 296 GTB at the vanguard of a supercar sector still in the nascent stages of electrification. While traditional rivals like the Lamborghini Huracán, with its sonorous naturally-aspirated V10, and the formidable McLaren 720S, with its potent V8, offered compelling propositions, the 296 GTB’s hybrid V6 architecture foreshadowed a new era of performance. Now, with whispers of a 903bhp, 10,000rpm V8 hybrid from Lamborghini – the Temerario – preparing to enter the fray, the 296 GTB’s brilliance becomes even more pronounced. This isn’t just about raw power; it’s about the intelligent, integrated application of that power, a testament to Ferrari’s engineering prowess.
The 296 GTB, with its 819 horsepower, isn’t merely a headline-grabbing figure; it’s a holistic redefinition of what a mid-engined Ferrari can be. As a plug-in hybrid, it boasts an EV-only range of approximately 15 miles, a nod to sustainability without compromising the core Ferrari driving experience. This innovation is underpinned by an entirely new, 120-degree, twin-turbo V6 engine, a marvel of compact engineering, mounted low within a bespoke aluminum chassis. The wheelbase has been subtly reduced by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors, and the occupants are positioned slightly further forward, contributing to a more visceral connection with the road.
The electric motor itself is a potent unit, contributing a substantial 165 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. The V6 alone unleashes a breathtaking 654 horsepower and 546 lb-ft. While Ferrari, with its characteristic discretion, refrains from quoting a combined peak torque figure, likely due to the intricate interplay between the V6 and the electric motor, it’s safe to assume this figure is monumental. The V6 unit itself is a triumph of weight reduction, shedding 30kg over its V8 counterparts. This potent heart is mated to a lightning-fast eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the sophisticated battery pack, a long, slender structure, is cleverly integrated behind the seats, minimizing its impact on weight distribution and vehicle dynamics.
No modern Ferrari would be complete without a suite of acronyms detailing its advanced electronic chassis systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari has introduced the six-axis sensor, dubbed 6w-CDS. This sophisticated piece of technology precisely measures acceleration and rotational velocity across the X, Y, and Z planes, providing an unparalleled understanding of the car’s dynamic state. It replaces traditional yaw sensors and, in conjunction with a sensor on the steering rack, offers the car’s systems real-time insight into driver inputs and tire grip levels at the contact patch. This data is then leveraged by systems like the renowned Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff to optimize cornering speeds while maintaining unwavering stability. Furthermore, the 6w-CDS enables the novel ABS-evo system, available in RACE mode and above. Through the car’s brake-by-wire system, ABS-evo not only reduces braking distances but also enhances braking performance during trail-braking maneuvers, a crucial technique for maximizing corner entry speed.
Ferrari’s commitment to aerodynamic innovation is vividly demonstrated in the 296 GTB’s active aerodynamics. For the first time, this technology is employed not for drag reduction but for generating significant downforce. The marque quotes a remarkable 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with a substantial 100kg of that figure being directly attributed to the deployable rear wing. The thermal management system is equally impressive. Two radiators in the front house engine and gearbox cooling, complemented by two additional condensers dedicated to battery cooling. Hot air is strategically expelled from beneath the car, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with the airflow directed to the intercoolers located along the flanks. Small apertures beneath the headlamps are dedicated to brake cooling, while a subtle wing integrated into the roofline cleverly creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, channeling air towards the rear of the car as if guided by a perfectly sculpted surface. The majority of the 296 GTB’s downforce, however, is generated from beneath the car. Meticulous attention has been paid to the underbody design, the rear diffuser, and the critical underbody-to-ground clearance, all engineered to maximize the effectiveness of these downforce-generating surfaces.
For those seeking the ultimate expression of the 296 GTB’s capabilities, the Assetto Fiorano package is an essential consideration. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units, derived directly from GT racing technology. It also adds further carbon fiber aerodynamic elements to the nose, increasing front downforce by an additional 20kg. The weight-saving theme continues with increased carbon fiber usage in the cabin, including door panels, and on the exterior, contributing to a total weight reduction of 12kg. This can be further enhanced by an optional Lexan rear engine cover, shaving off an additional 3kg. For the true track enthusiast, the Assetto Fiorano package also offers Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, a step up from the already capable Pilot Sport 4S. Visually, the Fiorano variant can be further distinguished by an optional exterior graphics package, a stylish homage to the iconic 250LM of the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 GTB, I can attest to its striking visual presence. It’s a design that commands attention, possessing a unique character that, even without the controversial graphics pack, evokes the spirit of the classic 250LM.
Performance and Dynamics: A Hybrid Symphony
Initiating a drive in the 296 GTB is a deliberate, engaging process. A double press on the lower part of the steering wheel boss, followed by selecting first gear, brings the hybrid powertrain to life. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, utilizing electric power for initial acceleration unless the driver actively selects otherwise via the intuitive haptic driver mode buttons on the steering wheel. With judicious throttle application, the 296 can glide silently on electric power alone, provided the battery has sufficient charge.
The driver has the flexibility to “force” EV mode, ensuring silent, emission-free travel irrespective of performance demands. Beyond this, Performance and Qualifying modes unleash the full might of the combined powertrain. Performance mode balances exhilarating acceleration with battery management, while Qualifying mode prioritizes ultimate performance, regardless of the battery’s state of charge.
The experience of silently gliding through urban landscapes is surprisingly rewarding. The damping calibration is exceptionally sophisticated, making the 296 GTB a remarkably comfortable cruiser for longer journeys. Even the luggage space in the front ‘frunk’ is more practical than in its SF90 sibling, a welcome consideration for touring. But the true magic of the 296 GTB is revealed when both the V6 engine and the electric motor are fully engaged.
Plant the throttle at low revs in a high gear, and the surge of acceleration is immediate and potent. The absence of perceptible turbo lag is remarkable, prompting a momentary questioning of the necessity for gears, such is the instantaneous delivery of torque. Yet, with eight gears at its disposal and an engine that willingly revs to 8500rpm, the experience of unleashing the 296 GTB at its peak is nothing short of astonishing. The acceleration is profound, bordering on overwhelming, inducing a peculiar blend of nervous laughter and addictive exhilaration. This is a seriously rapid machine, and its auditory accompaniment is equally captivating, with a rich V6 rasp harmoniously interwoven with the characterful symphony of turbochargers.
Ride and Handling: Precision Redefined
What truly sets the 296 GTB apart is the astonishing responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s assertion that the car was designed to be “fun to drive” is not an exaggeration; it’s a fundamental truth. The handling is exquisitely agile without ever feeling nervous or unpredictable. The steering, typically Ferrari-light and quick, offers a surprising level of feedback, allowing the driver to feel intimately connected to the road surface. Grip levels are, as expected, immense, but what truly elevates the experience is the car’s throttle adjustability. It invites the driver to play, to explore the limits of adhesion in a way that elicits genuine grins.
Despite its 1470kg (dry) weight, the 296 GTB feels significantly lighter. There’s a remarkable lack of inertia, encouraging the driver to work with the car, employing subtle inputs and reveling in its pinpoint accuracy and precision. The CT Off mode provides an incredible safety net, allowing for audacious maneuvers with the implicit reassurance that an advanced electronic brain is constantly safeguarding stability. Yet, even with all electronic aids deactivated, the inherent balance of the 296 GTB allows for playful slides and controlled oversteer, a feat many would deem impossible in a car with 819 horsepower.
On the track, the 296 GTB possesses the uncanny ability to make even the longest straight feel dramatically shorter. Its prowess as a sharp, focused instrument is undeniable. The sheer power available can easily unsettle the rear tires at numerous points around a circuit, but the 296 GTB is also exquisitely sensitive to braking and steering inputs. Precision is paramount, and rewards are proportional to the accuracy of the driver’s control inputs. The turn-in accuracy and responsiveness are simply phenomenal, dramatically shortening the entry phase of every corner. Instead of easing into turns and allowing loads to build, the 296 GTB settles instantly, its Multimatic dampers and hyper-quick steering working in perfect concert with the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even for drivers accustomed to more conventional sports cars, the sheer speed, precision, and agility of the 296 GTB are breathtaking and consistently rewarding.
Interior: A Digital Frontier with Human Touches
The cabin architecture of the 296 GTB will feel familiar to anyone who has experienced the SF90 Stradale. Ferrari has carried over much of its design language, including the all-digital interface and the accompanying haptic switchgear. These controls, liberally applied to the steering wheel and traditional Ferrari pods flanking it, are undoubtedly complex. This complexity, however, stems from the sheer volume of information and functions the driver needs to manage. Occasionally, simple operations require a second press, or the confirmation of a successful input isn’t immediately apparent. Despite these minor usability quibbles, the cabin exudes a special, focused ambiance, befitting a Ferrari supercar.
A Decade of Driving: Reflections and Verdict
In my ten years behind the wheel of countless performance cars, the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB stands out as a pivotal moment. It represents not just a technological leap but a profound emotional connection to the driving experience. The internal debate at evo Car of the Year 2022, where the 296 GTB narrowly missed out on outright victory to the McLaren Artura, highlights just how close the competition was. Judges were split, a testament to the exceptional quality of both vehicles. Those who favored the Ferrari lauded its “spectacular” design, “outrageously fast” performance, and “amazingly exploitable” dynamics, coupled with a “technically clever” V6 that demonstrated how to downsize with dramatic flair. The hybrid system was praised for its seamless integration, so much so that it felt like a natural extension of the driving experience, rather than an intrusive add-on.
However, a notable incident during the evo testing, where a depleted battery left a car stranded, exposed a potential vulnerability in the hybrid system’s fail-safe mechanisms. While Ferrari had provided guidance on preventing such scenarios, the oversight in engineering a simple fail-safe was a point of contention. Despite this, the 296 GTB’s seductive qualities – its uncanny directional changes, phenomenal damping, and seemingly endless reserves of power – left a lasting impression. It was a “return to form,” a car where technical sophistication and hybrid integration felt profoundly natural and unobtrusive. Ferrari had demonstrably learned from the SF90, distilling its learnings into a series production model that many consider to be among its very best.
Price and Rivals: The Shifting Supercar Landscape
When a vehicle is so densely packed with cutting-edge technology, there’s always the risk of it becoming less than the sum of its parts. This was a concern with the SF90, which, while dazzling in its power, could sometimes feel uncommunicative to drive. The 296 GTB, however, navigates this challenge with remarkable finesse. Its organic integration of power and engaging dynamics strikes a perfect balance, effectively redefining expectations for a supercar in the $250,000-plus bracket. The upcoming Versione Speciale variant promises even greater intensity and performance, and one can only hope it retains the standard 296’s wonderfully natural feel.
It is to this very aspect – the natural, engaging driving experience – that we hope Lamborghini has paid the utmost attention in developing its hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900 horsepower is an almost obscene amount of power for a production supercar, and it has the potential to overwhelm if not meticulously integrated into the rest of the vehicle’s dynamics. If Lamborghini has achieved the same level of resolution as demonstrated in the Revuelto, we could be on the cusp of an electrifying 1700 horsepower twin test. Or, perhaps, a staggering 2400 horsepower triple threat, including the McLaren 750S, which, with its 740 horsepower, now appears almost diminutive in this rarefied company. However, the McLaren’s relatively lithe 1389kg kerb weight ensures a formidable power-to-weight ratio. Its raw appeal, ergonomic perfection, razor-sharp steering, and exquisitely balanced chassis offer a distinct contrast to the comparatively more detached Ferrari.
Ferrari 296 GTB Specifications
Engine: 2992cc, twin-turbocharged V6, plus electric motor
Transmission: Eight-speed, dual-clutch, active E-diff
Combined Power: 819 horsepower @ 8000rpm
Combined Torque: 546 lb-ft @ 6250rpm
Weight: 1470kg (dry) (566bhp/ton)
0-62mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 205mph
Price: Starting from approximately $320,000 USD (subject to market fluctuations and options)
The 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB is more than just a supercar; it’s a statement of intent from a brand that continues to push the boundaries of automotive excellence. If you’re ready to experience the pinnacle of hybrid performance and a driving sensation that redefines the supercar genre, the time to explore the 296 GTB is now.

