2025 Ferrari 296 GTB Review: Can The Maranello Masterpiece Hold Off The Lamborghini Temerario?
The automotive landscape is shifting beneath our feet. For decades, the formula for a mid-engine exotic w
as simple: more cylinders, more noise, and raw, naturally aspirated aggression. But as we move deeper into 2025, the rules of engagement have changed. The Ferrari 296 GTB has been on our roads for a couple of years now, marking a pivotal moment in Maranello’s history. It dispensed with the legendary twin-turbo V8 bloodline, replacing it with a V6 plug-in hybrid architecture that initially raised eyebrows among purists.
However, any skepticism vanished the moment the throttle was pinned. This isn’t just a downsized compromise; it is arguably the most cohesive, agile, and technically impressive supercar Ferrari has built in the modern era. But the crown is never safe for long. With the arrival of the screaming, 903bhp Lamborghini Temerario, the 296 GTB faces its stiffest competition yet.
As an industry analyst and test driver with over a decade of experience tracking the evolution of the supercar market, I’ve driven them all—from the raw Huracán to the surgical McLaren 750S. The question today isn’t just whether the Ferrari 296 GTB is a good car; it’s whether its 819bhp hybrid heart is strong enough to withstand the incoming assault from Sant’Agata.
Engineering The “Little V12”: A New Era of Propulsion
To understand the brilliance of the Ferrari 296 GTB, you have to look past the cylinder count. This is the first road-going Ferrari to carry a V6 badge (the Dino 246 GT never officially wore the Prancing Horse), but the architecture is revolutionary. The engineers in Maranello opted for a 120-degree “hot-vee” configuration. By widening the angle of the cylinder banks, they could nest the turbochargers directly inside the V.
This design achieves two critical goals. First, it drastically lowers the center of gravity, which is essential for lateral dynamics. Second, it reduces the distance air travels from the exhaust to the turbine wheels, effectively eliminating turbo lag. The result is an engine that produces 654bhp on its own—a specific output record for a production car at launch.
But the magic happens when you introduce the electric motor. Sandwiched between the V6 and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is an MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic) capable of adding 165bhp and instant torque fill. Combined, the Ferrari 296 GTB outputs a staggering 819bhp.
When you are looking into exotic car lease deals, you realize that you aren’t paying for fuel economy here, despite the hybrid tag. You are paying for performance integration. The electric motor covers the bottom of the rev range, while the V6 screams to an 8,500rpm redline with a harmonic frequency so pure that Ferrari engineers internally nicknamed it the “piccolo V12” (little V12).
Design and Aerodynamics: Function Sculpted by Wind
Visually, the Ferrari 296 GTB is a triumph of reductionism. After the aggressive, vent-heavy styling of the F8 Tributo and the somewhat polarized SF90 Stradale, the 296 returns to clean, sweeping lines reminiscent of the 1960s 250 LM. The B-pillar design and the air intakes carved into the rear fenders are masterclasses in integrating cooling requirements without ruining the silhouette.
However, do not mistake elegance for simplicity. This car is an aerodynamic weapon. For the first time on a mid-rear-engined Ferrari berlinetta, an active aero device is used not to reduce drag, but to generate downforce. The active rear spoiler, inspired by the LaFerrari, deploys to generate up to 360kg of downforce at 155mph when equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package.
The front end utilizes a “tea-tray” aerodynamic device to manage airflow under the car, sucking the chassis to the tarmac. Whether you are parking at a valet stand or pushing limits on a circuit, the car looks purposeful. For those in the market, visiting a Ferrari dealer to see the interplay of light and shadow on these fenders is a must; photos rarely do the surfacing justice.
The Driving Experience: Road and Track
The stat sheet is impressive—0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 205 mph—but numbers tell you nothing about the soul of the machine. The defining characteristic of the Ferrari 296 GTB is its agility. By shaving 50mm off the wheelbase compared to the F8 Tributo, Ferrari has created a car that rotates with telepathic immediacy.
City Driving and EV Mode
Starting the car is an exercise in silence. The Ferrari 296 GTB defaults to eDrive mode, offering roughly 15 miles of silent, electric range. It is a surreal experience to glide through a quiet neighborhood in a bright red Ferrari without waking the neighbors. The suspension compliance in “Bumpy Road” mode is genuinely shocking; it absorbs expansion joints and potholes better than many dedicated luxury hybrid sports cars. This duality makes it a surprisingly viable daily driver.
Unleashing the Beast
Switch the Manettino to Race or CT-Off, and the Jekyll turns into Hyde. The integration of the electric motor and combustion engine is imperceptible. There is no clunky handoff, just a seamless wall of thrust. The acceleration is violent, bordering on uncomfortable, yet the short wheelbase makes the car feel approachable.
Ferrari’s Side Slip Control (SSC) system has evolved again. The 296 features a 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS) that monitors acceleration and rotation on three axes. It feeds data to the ABS evo controller, allowing you to brake deeper into corners than you thought possible. The rear end is playful, allowing controlled slides that make you feel like a driving god, before the electronics gently pull you back in line.
Where the McLaren Artura feels precise and scientific, the Ferrari 296 GTB feels organic and alive. It encourages you to grab it by the scruff of the neck.
The Assetto Fiorano Package: Necessary or Overkill?
For buyers obsessed with lap times, Ferrari offers the Assetto Fiorano specification. This lightweight package includes:
Multimatic GT-racing derived dampers.
High-downforce carbon fiber appendages on the front bumper.
A Lexan rear screen.
Extensive use of lightweight materials inside and out (saving roughly 12-15kg).
Optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
Is it worth the extra premium on the Ferrari 296 GTB price? If you frequent track days, absolutely. The fixed-rate Multimatic dampers offer incredible body control. However, for a predominantly road-driven car, the standard setup is superior. The Assetto pack sacrifices ride quality for tenths of a second that you simply cannot legally exploit on public highways.
Interior Cockpit: Digital Immersion
The cabin of the Ferrari 296 GTB is a direct evolution of the SF90 Stradale’s interface. The traditional analog tachometer is gone, replaced by a massive 16-inch curved digital display. It is sharp, customizable, and visually stunning.
However, the user experience has drawn criticism. almost all physical buttons have been replaced by capacitive touch controls on the steering wheel. While they look futuristic, they lack the tactile feedback of a physical switch. Accidental swipes are common during spirited driving. The “Start/Stop” engine button is now a touch-sensitive panel, which feels less ceremonial than the old red button.
Despite the ergonomic quirks, the driving position is perfect. The seats are mounted low, and the view over the front fenders gives you excellent spatial awareness. If you are financing a vehicle of this caliber, you expect a premium environment, and the leather work and carbon fiber fit-and-finish are top-tier.
The Rivals: The Temerario Threat
This is where the conversation gets interesting in 2025. For two years, the Ferrari 296 GTB reigned supreme. The McLaren Artura had a rocky launch, and the 750S, while brilliant, is an evolution of an older platform.
Enter the Lamborghini Temerario.
Lamborghini has taken a different approach. They have ditched the V10 for a twin-turbo V8, but with a twist: it revs to 10,000rpm and produces over 900bhp when combined with its three electric motors. The Temerario is Lamborghini throwing the gauntlet down. It offers all-wheel drive (unlike the rear-drive Ferrari), more power, and a higher redline.
On paper, the Lamborghini wins the brute force argument. However, the Ferrari 296 GTB counters with a substantial weight advantage. The Ferrari is lighter, and its rear-wheel-drive purity appeals to drivers who prefer steering feel over outright traction. The Temerario is a sledgehammer; the 296 GTB is a scalpel.
We must also consider the McLaren 750S. It remains the lightweight king of the class, rejecting hybrid technology to save mass. It offers a level of steering feedback that neither the Italian hybrids can quite match, thanks to its hydraulic steering rack. But in terms of powertrain excitement and bandwidth, the V6 Ferrari has the edge.
Ownership and Value Retention
Buying a supercar in this segment requires careful financial planning. The Ferrari 296 GTB price starts around $340,000, but with options, most build slots leave the dealership closer to $450,000 or more.
When considering supercar financing or leasing, Ferrari historically holds a significant advantage in residual value compared to McLaren. High-performance vehicle insurance will also be a major factor in ownership costs, with premiums reflecting the hybrid complexity and carbon fiber repair costs. However, Ferrari’s 7-year maintenance program remains a massive selling point, covering standard servicing and reducing the long-term cost of ownership.
For those looking at exotic car lease deals, the 296 GTB remains a hot commodity. Demand is still outstripping supply in many regions, keeping used prices buoyant.
Verdict: The Benchmark Remains
The Ferrari 296 GTB is a landmark achievement. It successfully bridges the gap between the analog past and the electrified future without losing the emotional connection that defines the brand. It is faster than an F8, more fun than an SF90, and possesses a soundtrack that honestly makes you forget two cylinders are “missing.”
The Lamborghini Temerario has the numbers to challenge it, and the battle for the hearts of supercar buyers in 2025 will be fierce. But the Ferrari has set the bar incredibly high. It is a car that isn’t just dominated by its engine or its chassis—it is a perfect marriage of both.
Whether you are looking for a weekend canyon carver or a track-day weapon, the 296 GTB delivers on every promise. It is proof that even in a hybrid world, the soul of Maranello is alive and well.
Ready to Experience the Future?
Reading about the 819bhp hybrid system is one thing; feeling the kick of the electric motor combined with the scream of the 8,500rpm V6 is another entirely. If you are ready to take the next step in automotive performance, contact your local Ferrari dealer today to schedule a consultation or test drive. The future of the supercar is here, and it is waiting for you to take the wheel.
