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Ferrari 296 GTB 2025: Reimagining the Hybrid Supercar Landscape with the 10,000rpm Lamborghini Temerario on the Horizon
For over two years, Ferrari’s V6 hybrid supercar has captivated the automotive world. Even as the 10,000rpm, 903bhp Lamborghini Temerario looms on the horizon, the 296 GTB remains a benchmark of modern hypercar engineering. This vehicle marks a seismic shift in Maranello’s lineup, transitioning from the celebrated twin-turbo V8 to an electrically augmented V6 powerhouse. The 296 GTB has not just entered the high-tier supercar segment; it has fundamentally redefined it, pioneering hybrid adoption in a realm traditionally dominated by pure combustion engines.
The Evolution of Ferrari’s Supercar Blueprint
When the 296 GTB debuted, the automotive landscape was dominated by the naturally aspirated V10 Lamborghini Huracán, renowned for its vocal presence, and the powerful twin-turbo V8 McLaren 720S. While the McLaren 750S represents a refinement of that same powerful formula, the arrival of the Ferrari 296 GTB truly shook the established order. The launch of the 903bhp, 10,000rpm twin-turbo V8 hybrid Lamborghini Temerario serves as a direct challenge to Ferrari’s 819bhp hybrid berlinetta, marking a new era where electrification is not just an enhancement, but the core of performance.
The raw numbers alone underscore the 296 GTB’s revolutionary nature. Utilizing an all-new, 120-degree twin-turbo V6 engine combined with a robust electric motor, the 296 GTB delivers 819 horsepower to the rear wheels only—a significant departure from the four-wheel-drive system of the SF90. This configuration recalibrates supercar expectations, proving that a compact internal combustion engine can serve as the heart of a hybrid hypercar.
It is easy to be overwhelmed by such an aggressive power figure. The mind immediately races to where this escalation will end—and, more practically, where such performance can be fully exploited. Yet, these are philosophical questions best suited for another discussion. The immediate reality is that the 296 GTB is not just a technological marvel; it is Ferrari’s first V6-powered production road car (the exquisite 246 GT Dino never bore the Prancing Horse emblem during its production run), the first to feature a ‘hot-vee’ turbocharger layout, and a plug-in hybrid with a modest EV-only range of approximately 15 miles.
The architecture is low-slung, featuring an aluminum chassis optimized for weight distribution. Compared to the V8-engined models, the wheelbase has been reduced by 50mm, and the occupants sit slightly further forward, enhancing the feeling of direct connection to the road. The electric motor provides 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 engine itself produces a stunning 654bhp and 546lb ft. While Ferrari avoids quoting a combined peak torque figure—likely due to the complex interaction between the motor and engine—it is safe to assume the resulting torque is substantial. Furthermore, the V6 setup is lighter by 30kg than Ferrari’s V8s and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The battery pack, a streamlined oblong structure, is positioned securely behind the seats.
Advanced Dynamics andAerodynamics
In true Ferrari fashion, the 296 GTB is equipped with an array of acronyms denoting sophisticated electronic chassis systems. The most notable is the 6w-CDS (Six-Way Chassis Dynamic Sensor), a marvel of engineering that measures acceleration and rotational speed across the X, Y, and Z axes. This system replaces conventional yaw sensors and works in tandem with a steering rack-mounted sensor to monitor driver input and real-time grip levels. The result is a synergy of systems—including Side Slip Control and active E-Diff—that maximizes cornering speed without compromising stability.
Another innovation is the ABS-evo system, featured in RACE mode and above. Utilizing the 296’s brake-by-wire technology, this system shortens braking distances and improves performance during trail-braking maneuvers. For the first time in a production Ferrari, active aerodynamics are employed not to reduce drag, but to increase downforce. The company claims a figure of 360kg at 155mph, of which approximately 100kg is generated by the rear wing that deploys automatically.
The car’s thermal management system is equally impressive. The nose houses two radiators for engine and gearbox cooling, supplemented by two condensers for the battery. Hot air is expelled underneath to prevent interference with the intercoolers located along the flanks. Small apertures below the headlights draw air to cool the brakes, while the integrated rear roofline wing creates a ‘virtual’ rear screen, channeling air to the car’s rear as if guided by a physical surface. The majority of downforce is generated beneath the car, where considerable attention has been paid to optimizing air channels, the rear diffuser, and the underbody height to maximize downforce-generating surfaces.
The Assetto Fiorano Package: Maximizing Performance
The variants of the 296 GTB tested on the launch circuit were all equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This optional upgrade replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic items derived from GT racing technology and adds further carbon aerodynamic components to the nose, increasing front downforce by 20kg.
Inside the cabin, more carbon fiber is utilized, particularly in the door panels, contributing to an overall weight saving of 12kg, which extends to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is selected. Fiorano buyers can also specify Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S. A further aesthetic option is an exterior graphics package inspired by the 250LM of the 1960s.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 GTB, its beauty is indisputable. Unlike any other contemporary vehicle, it possesses a distinctive aesthetic, even without the divisive graphics pack, clearly echoing the design language of the 250LM.
Performance and Acceleration: A Masterclass in Power Delivery
Getting underway is straightforward: a double press on the steering wheel boss and engaging first gear initiates movement. The 296 GTB always defaults to Hybrid mode, moving away solely on electric power unless overridden via the haptic driver mode buttons on the wheel. By managing throttle input, the car can continue using electric power exclusively, provided the battery has sufficient charge.
Drivers can also select ‘eDrive’ mode, which forces all-electric operation regardless of throttle demand. Additionally, Performance and Qualifying modes are available, both engaging both power sources. The former aims to maintain battery charge while providing maximum power, while the latter prioritizes ultimate performance, regardless of the battery’s state of charge.
Gliding through villages in electric mode is a surprisingly serene experience. The damping is exceptionally refined, making the 296 GTB a remarkably comfortable long-distance cruiser. The luggage area in the ‘frunk’ is substantial—a significant advantage over the SF90. However, the question on every enthusiast’s mind is: what does the car feel like when both the engine and electric motor are pushed to their limits?
The answer is apparent even at low revs in a high gear. The 296 GTB lunges forward with zero lag, making one momentarily question the necessity of gears. Yet, with eight gears available and an engine revving to 8,500rpm, the experience when the 296 is fully uncorked is nothing short of astonishing. The acceleration figures—0-62mph in approximately 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 205mph—describe a rate of acceleration that inspires a thrill that verges on the uncomfortable, yet is profoundly addictive. This is a supremely rapid vehicle, accompanied by a delightful soundtrack of turbo spools layering over a tuneful V6 rasp.
Ride and Handling Dynamics: A New Benchmark for Supercar Engagement
What truly distinguishes the 296 GTB is the responsiveness of its chassis. Ferrari’s claim that the car was designed to be ‘fun to drive’ is not an exaggeration. It feels highly agile without bordering on nervousness. The steering is typically light and fast, yet retains exceptional feel. While grip levels are predictably high, the car remains throttle-adjustable, a trait that invariably brings a smile to the driver’s face.
It feels substantially lighter than its quoted dry weight of 1,470kg, with a lack of inertia that encourages interaction with the car. The 296 responds to small inputs, rewarding accuracy and precision. The CT Off mode allows drivers to push the limits with confidence, knowing that a far more intelligent electronic brain is monitoring the situation. Even with all systems deactivated, the natural balance of the 296 allows for controlled oversteer in a manner previously unimaginable in a 819bhp machine.
On the track, the 296 can compress even the longest straights. What becomes even more evident is its role as a precision instrument. The power is sufficient to break rear traction at numerous points around the lap, yet the car is highly sensitive to braking and steering inputs, teaching drivers quickly that precision is paramount.
The incredible
