Ferrari 296 GTB: A Hybrid Masterpiece Challenging Supercar Conventions in 2025
For over a decade, the supercar landscape has been dominated by the roar of V8s and the visceral thrill of naturally aspi
rated engines. However, the automotive world is in constant flux, and standing at the vanguard of this evolution is the Ferrari 296 GTB. For the past few years, this Italian marvel has redefined what’s possible in a hybrid supercar, and even with a formidable 903bhp, 10,000rpm Lamborghini rival now on the horizon, the 296 GTB continues to captivate with its groundbreaking technology and exhilarating performance.
As a seasoned industry professional with ten years navigating the intricate world of high-performance vehicles, I’ve witnessed firsthand the relentless pursuit of innovation. The arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB in 2022 marked a significant departure from Maranello’s established playbook. Eschewing the lauded twin-turbo V8 that had graced its predecessors, Ferrari boldly embraced a new twin-turbo V6 architecture, augmented by a sophisticated electric powertrain. This move positioned the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB as a pioneer in a segment of the supercar market that is only just beginning to fully embrace electrification.
In its initial launch phase, the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB review found its primary competitor in the Lamborghini Huracán, celebrated for its naturally aspirated V10 symphony. While the Huracán offered an intoxicating soundtrack and raw, unadulterated V10 charisma, it was outgunned in terms of raw power. The McLaren 720S, with its potent twin-turbo V8, also presented a formidable challenge. While the McLaren 750S represents an evolution of an already potent formula, prioritizing an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, the new Ferrari 296 GTB and its imminent Lamborghini Temerario rival represent a new breed of hybrid titans. The 903bhp, 10,000rpm hybrid Temerario, with its twin-turbo V8, is unequivocally Lamborghini’s direct riposte to Maranello’s 819bhp electrified Berlinetta.
Let’s be clear: the Ferrari 296 GTB horsepower is nothing short of astonishing. Featuring an entirely new 120-degree twin-turbo V6 engine, seamlessly integrated with an electric motor driving only the rear wheels – a distinction from the all-wheel-drive SF90 – the 819bhp 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB has fundamentally challenged established supercar paradigms. The sheer output figure is, frankly, mind-boggling, prompting contemplation on the eventual limits of such power escalation and, crucially, the practical application of such performance. However, these are existential questions for another discussion.
What is undeniable is the significance of the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB price and its technological prowess. It stands as the first V6-powered Ferrari road car (the beloved 246 GT Dino never officially bore the Prancing Horse emblem in its era), the first to incorporate a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger configuration, and a plug-in hybrid with a respectable 15-mile all-electric range. This compact V6 engine is mounted low within a new aluminum chassis, featuring a wheelbase reduced by 50mm compared to its V8 predecessors. This packaging optimization allows the occupants to sit slightly further forward, enhancing the sense of immediacy.
The electric motor alone contributes an impressive 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 engine independently delivers a staggering 654bhp and 546lb ft. Combined, these powerplants yield the headline 819bhp figure. Ferrari, wisely, refrains from quoting a combined peak torque figure, likely due to the complex interplay between the engine and electric motor. However, it’s safe to assume this combined output is, to say the least, substantial. Furthermore, the V6 unit itself is approximately 30kg lighter than a comparable Ferrari V8, and it’s mated to an agile eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a sleek, elongated structure, is ingeniously housed behind the seats, contributing to the car’s balanced weight distribution.
No Ferrari would be complete without an array of acronyms denoting its cutting-edge electronic chassis systems. For the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB performance, Maranello has developed the six-axis sensor known as 6w-CDS. This advanced system precisely measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z planes, replacing conventional yaw sensors. In conjunction with a sensor on the steering rack, it grants the car an unparalleled understanding of driver input and real-time grip levels at the tire contact patch. This information is then leveraged by systems like Side Slip Control and the active E-Diff to maximize cornering speeds while maintaining unwavering stability and security. It also enables a novel system, ABS-evo, available in RACE mode and above. Employing the 296’s brake-by-wire technology, ABS-evo not only shortens braking distances but also enhances braking performance during trail-braking maneuvers into corners.
For the first time in its history, Ferrari is deploying its active aerodynamics technology not for drag reduction, but to generate downforce. The company quotes a remarkable 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with a significant 100kg of that generated by a deployable rear wing. The front of the car features two radiators for engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two additional condensers for battery thermal management. Hot air is expertly expelled from the underbody to avoid disrupting the airflow directed to the intercoolers along the flanks. The subtle apertures beneath the headlamps are dedicated to cooling the brakes, while a wing integrated into the roofline creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, effectively channeling air towards the rear of the vehicle as if guided by a physical surface. The majority of the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB handling downforce is generated beneath the car, where meticulous attention has been paid not only to airflow management and the rear diffuser but also to the underbody’s ground clearance, optimizing the effectiveness of these downforce-generating elements.
The initial circuits where we sampled the Ferrari 296 GTB were all equipped with the optional Assetto Fiorano package. This performance-oriented upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units derived from GT racing technology. It also incorporates additional carbon fiber aerodynamic elements on the front fascia, increasing front downforce by an additional 20kg. Further weight savings are achieved through increased use of carbon fiber in the cabin (such as the door panels) and exterior components, contributing to an overall reduction of 12kg. This figure can rise to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. For those seeking the ultimate track-focused experience, the Fiorano package also offers the option of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S. Furthermore, Fiorano-equipped cars can be personalized with an exterior graphics package, paying homage to the iconic 250LM of the 1960s.
Having had the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and experience the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB in person, I can attest to its striking aesthetic. It’s a truly beautiful machine, distinctly different from anything else on the road, and subtly evokes the spirit of the 1960s 250LM, even without the more overt graphic treatments.
Performance and Acceleration: A New Benchmark
Initiating movement in the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB is as simple as a double-press on the lower section of the steering wheel boss, followed by selecting first gear. The car defaults to Hybrid mode, meaning it will depart silently on electric power alone, unless overridden by the driver through the intuitive haptic ‘buttons’ located on the left side of the steering wheel’s boss. As long as the throttle input is judicious, the 296 will continue on pure electric power, provided sufficient battery charge remains. Drivers can also elect to ‘force’ the car into EV mode, irrespective of powertrain demands. Beyond this, there are dedicated Performance and Qualifying modes. In both of these, both power sources work in tandem; Performance mode aims to maintain battery charge while delivering exhilarating power, while Qualifying mode prioritizes absolute maximum performance, with less regard for battery state.
The serene experience of gliding through villages on electric power is an unexpected delight, and the sophisticated damping makes it a remarkably comfortable cruiser for covering long distances. Even the ‘frunk’ at the front offers a surprisingly practical luggage space, a notable advantage over the SF90. But what truly matters, to both you and me, is the sensation when both the engine and electric motor are unleashed in their full glory.
The revelation occurs when you firmly plant the throttle at low revs in a higher gear: the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB simply surges forward, devoid of any discernible lag, compelling you to question the very necessity of gears, such is its instantaneous potency. However, with eight gears at your disposal and an engine that willingly revs to 8500rpm, the full unleashing of the 296’s capabilities is nothing short of startling. The acceleration figures (0-62mph in a mere 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph) translate to a sensation of relentless, almost unnerving forward thrust, accompanied by nervous laughter. Yet, it’s a sensation that is profoundly addictive. The sound is equally captivating, a symphony of turbocharger effects blending harmoniously with the tuneful V6 rasp.
Ride and Handling: A Masterclass in Agility
What truly sets the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB apart is the astonishing responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s assertion that the car’s primary objective was to be ‘fun to drive’ is unequivocally validated. It feels exceptionally agile without ever bordering on nervous. The steering is typically light and razor-sharp, yet it provides a remarkable level of feedback. While grip levels are, as expected, stratospheric, the car remains delightfully throttle-adjustable in a manner that guarantees a wide grin.
It feels considerably lighter than its quoted dry weight of 1470kg, and there’s a remarkable lack of inertia that encourages a more collaborative driving style. Small, precise inputs are rewarded with immediate and accurate responses, fostering a deep connection between driver and machine. Engaging CT Off mode allows for incredible driver latitude, yet the underlying electronic stability systems provide a reassuring safety net. Even with all electronic aids deactivated, the 296’s inherent natural balance allows it to be playfully coaxed into oversteer in ways one might never have imagined possible in a car with 819bhp.
On a circuit, the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB handling has the uncanny ability to seemingly shrink even the longest start-finish straight. What becomes even more apparent is the car’s surgical precision. The power is readily available to break rear traction at numerous points around the lap, but the 296 is also acutely sensitive to braking and steering inputs. It quickly becomes evident that precise control inputs yield the greatest rewards. The turn-in accuracy and response are phenomenal, dramatically shortening the entry phase of every corner. Instead of gradually easing the car into turns and building load, the 296 settles immediately, its Multimatic dampers working in concert with the hyper-quick steering and the enhanced roll support of the Assetto Fiorano setup. Even for those transitioning from more conventional sports cars, the speed, precision, and agility of the new Ferrari 296 GTB are simply phenomenal and an absolute joy to experience lap after lap.
Interior: A Futuristic, Yet Familiar, Environment
The cabin architecture will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has experienced the SF90, as the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB borrows heavily from its elder sibling. The fully digital interface and its accompanying haptic switchgear, liberally applied across the steering wheel and traditional Ferrari pods flanking it, represent a significant learning curve. It is undeniably complex, but to be fair, there is a substantial amount of information to convey. The primary frustration lies in the fact that simple operations occasionally require a second press if the first hasn’t registered, or one is left uncertain whether a press has been successfully acknowledged. Nevertheless, it remains a remarkably special environment to inhabit.
evo Car of the Year 2022 Verdict: A Contender for the Crown
In 2022, evo magazine’s prestigious Car of the Year competition saw the Ferrari 296 GTB and the McLaren Artura locked in an incredibly tight battle, with only a “fag paper’s width” separating them in the final scores. The judges were equally divided, with three narrowly favoring the Ferrari and three scoring the McLaren marginally higher.
Those who placed the 296 GTB ahead, including myself, praised its “spectacular” nature. “Beautiful to look at, outrageously fast, amazingly exploitable and so technically clever,” enthused Jethro Bovingdon. “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 offered a compelling endorsement: “The first genuinely beautiful Ferrari since the F355.” He further elaborated, “The hybrid system works very well and 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.”
The Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid system’s seamless integration received widespread acclaim. However, a significant concern emerged on the final night when a battery failure left one car stranded, with no apparent means of restarting it. While Ferrari had provided advance warnings and instructions to mitigate this possibility, the situation highlighted a potential vulnerability for owners. As Gallagher observed, “It’s a huge oversight that the company who introduced individual rear-wheel steering to its cars can’t engineer a simple fail-safe to prevent this happening.” Fortunately, this incident occurred after the scoring was complete.
Ferrari’s signature super-quick steering proved divisive, and the brake feel didn’t quite match the very best in the group. The tech interface also faced widespread criticism for its excessive complexity. Despite these critiques, the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB remained irresistibly seductive. Vivian’s initial skepticism turned to admiration: “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, editor of evo, concluded, “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. 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 and Rivals: Redefining the Supercar Equation
The integration of such advanced technology inherently carries the risk of the final product being less than the sum of its parts, a challenge we observed with the SF90, which, while dazzling in its power, proved somewhat unnerving in its driving characteristics. However, the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB represents a significant departure. As demonstrated at eCoty 2022, where it secured a joint third place alongside the McLaren Artura, it possesses a far more organic feel. Its masterful blend of potent power and engaging dynamics strikes a perfect chord, effectively redefining what a supercar in the £250,000 price bracket can achieve. A forthcoming Versione Speciale variant is anticipated this year, promising even greater power, performance, and intensity. The enduring hope is that the standard 296’s inexplicably natural feel will be preserved.
It is precisely this aspect of the 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB’s constitution that we hope Lamborghini has prioritized in its development of the hybrid Temerario supercar. Over 900bhp is an obscene amount of power to manage in a series production supercar; it possesses the potential to corrupt the entire driving experience if the rest of the vehicle isn’t meticulously engineered to harness it. If Lamborghini has indeed struck the right balance – and their success with the Revuelto provides ample reason for optimism – then we are poised for an extraordinary twin test between these two behemoths, potentially boasting a combined output of a staggering 1700bhp.
Alternatively, we could expand this into a 2400bhp triple threat by including the McLaren 750S, which, by comparison, now seems almost diminutive with its “mere” 740bhp. However, as noted, it brings a remarkably lithe kerb weight of 1389kg to the table, resulting in a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio. The McLaren’s raw engagement, ergonomic perfection, crisp steering, and deftly balanced chassis undeniably set it apart against 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: 819bhp @ 8000rpm
Combined Torque: 546lb ft @ 6250rpm
Weight: 1470kg (dry) (566bhp/ton)
0-62mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 205mph
Approximate Price: £250,000+
The evolution of the supercar is a captivating journey, and the Ferrari 296 GTB stands as a monumental achievement in this ongoing narrative. If you’re ready to experience the pinnacle of hybrid supercar performance and handling, we invite you to explore the possibilities and connect with our specialists to discuss how you can make this automotive masterpiece a reality.
