Ferrari 296 GTB 2025 Review: The Ultimate Benchmark in Hybrid Supercars
For more than two years, the Ferrari 296 GTB has stood as a beacon in the evolution of hybrid supercars. Its 10,000rpm, 903bhp twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain, initially setting the bar for performance and technological sophistication in the 2022 hypercar segment, continues to astound even as the landscape of luxury supercars evolves. While the Lamborghini Temerario now looms on the horizon, promising even higher performance figures, the Ferrari 296 GTB’s impact as a landmark vehicle remains undeniable.
The Ferrari 296 GTB ushered in a revolutionary era for Ferrari’s mid-engine supercar lineage, marking a dramatic departure from its celebrated twin-turbo V8 legacy. By transitioning to a smaller, more efficient twin-turbo V6 engine, significantly augmented by electric power, the 296 GTB decisively staked its claim in a segment that was just beginning to embrace hybrid sports car technology. The car debuted at a time when its primary competitor was the iconic Lamborghini Huracán, which boasted a naturally aspirated V10 and a soulful exhaust note that resonated profoundly with enthusiasts.
Adding to the luxury sports car landscape was the fierce McLaren 720S, a twin-turbo V8 powerhouse that had long dominated its class. While the McLaren 750S represents an evolution of this established formula, trading on its superior power-to-weight ratio, the 903bhp twin-turbo V8 hybrid Lamborghini Temerario stands as a direct, uncompromising challenger to Maranello’s 819bhp Ferrari supercar Berlinetta. The Temerario is not just an evolution; it is a bold statement of power and intent in the highly competitive supercar market.
Yes, the 296 GTB commands immense firepower. Equipped with an entirely new 120-degree twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor powering the rear wheels exclusively—unlike the all-wheel-drive SF90 Stradale—the 819bhp 296 GTB shattered conventional Ferrari 296 GTB performance expectations, setting a new standard for hybrid automotive engineering.
Unprecedented Technological Integration
The sheer output of the Ferrari 296 GTB is awe-inspiring, naturally prompting questions about the limits of this performance escalation. (It’s clear Lamborghini, with the Temerario, has little interest in settling for limits.) But the question of where such extreme performance might be utilized in the real world remains relevant for those considering Ferrari 296 GTB price implications.
The 296 GTB represents a trifecta of firsts for Ferrari: it is the first V6-powered road car bearing the Prancing Horse emblem—the delectable 246 GT Dino, historically, never wore the famous emblem during its production run. It is also the first to feature a “hot-vee” turbocharger installation, positioning the turbochargers within the V of the engine for optimal packaging and thermal efficiency. Furthermore, it is a plug-in hybrid, offering an electric-only driving range of approximately 15 miles.
The compact V6 engine is mounted remarkably low in a newly developed aluminum chassis, with a 50mm reduction in wheelbase compared to the outgoing V8 models. The occupants sit slightly further forward, centralizing mass and enhancing responsiveness. The electric motor contributes a significant 165bhp and 232lb ft of torque, while the V6 itself delivers a staggering 654bhp and 546lb ft. Ferrari wisely refrains from quoting combined peak torque figures, likely due to the complex interplay between the engine and motor management systems, but the resultant torque output is undoubtedly immense.
In total, the V6 configuration achieves a 30kg weight saving over one of Ferrari’s V8 engines. The powertrain is coupled to a precise eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the high-capacity battery pack, housed as a long, flat unit, is positioned immediately behind the seats to maintain optimal weight distribution for a Ferrari 296 GTB review that balances performance with everyday usability.
Any Ferrari would be incomplete without an arsenal of acronym-laden electronic chassis control systems. For the 296 GTB, Ferrari has developed a cutting-edge six-axis sensor unit known as 6w-CDS. This sophisticated system measures both linear acceleration and angular velocity across the X, Y, and Z axes, providing unprecedented insight into the car’s dynamic behavior.
The 6w-CDS replaces the traditional yaw sensor and, in concert with a sensor mounted on the steering rack, allows the car to track not only the driver’s inputs but also the grip levels at the contact patches. It effectively coordinates systems like Side Slip Control (SSC) and the active electronic differential (E-diff) to maximize cornering speeds while maintaining rock-solid stability. This technology also enables ABS-evo (a rather apt name) in RACE mode and above. Operating via the 296 GTB’s brake-by-wire system, this feature shortens braking distances and dramatically improves performance during trail-braking maneuvers.
For the first time, Ferrari has deployed its active aerodynamics technology not to reduce drag, but to maximize downforce. The car generates a quoted 360kg of downforce at 155mph, with up to 100kg of that figure coming from the rear wing, which deploys hydraulically from the rear deck of the car.
Two radiators in the front fascia cool the engine and gearbox, while a further two condensers manage the thermal load of the battery pack. Hot air is expelled underneath the vehicle to prevent interference with the air directed into the intercoolers positioned along the flanks. The small vents beneath the headlamps are specifically designed to draw in air for brake cooling. Additionally, the integrated wing at the rear of the roofline functions as a “virtual” rear screen, guiding air rearward as if flowing over a continuous surface.
The majority of the 296 GTB’s downforce is generated beneath the car. Particular attention has been paid not only to air channeling and the rear diffuser but also to optimizing the height of the underbody off the ground, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of the downforce-generating surfaces. This level of aerodynamic sophistication is a hallmark of modern Ferrari 296 GTB performance in 2025 hypercar trends.
The Assetto Fiorano Experience
The 296 GTB models we tested briefly on the circuit during the launch were all equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This option replaces the standard dampers with Multimatic units derived from GT racing technology and adds further carbon aerodynamic enhancements to the front fascia, increasing front-axle downforce by 20kg.
The package also includes more carbon fiber utilized throughout the interior—such as the door panels—and on the exterior, resulting in a total weight saving of 12kg. This saving extends to 15kg if the optional Lexan rear engine cover is specified. A further enhancement for Assetto Fiorano-equipped cars is the option of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, replacing the standard Pilot Sport 4S tires. Fiorano cars can also be ordered with an exterior graphics package inspired by the 250LM race cars of the 1960s, lending a classic, motorsport-inspired aesthetic to the luxury sports car lineup.
Having spent considerable time with the 296 GTB, we agree that it is a remarkably beautiful vehicle, unlike anything else on the road today. Even without the divisive graphics pack, it confidently evokes the spirit of the 1960s 250LM, marking a triumphant moment for Ferrari 296 GTB aesthetics and design.
Performance and Acceleration Metrics
To get moving, drivers simply press the bottom of the steering wheel boss twice and engage the first gear. The 296 GTB defaults to Hybrid mode, meaning it will accelerate purely on electric power unless instructed otherwise. This is achieved via the haptic driver mode “buttons” located on the left side of the steering wheel. By applying gentle throttle input, the car will remain in its electric state (provided the battery charge permits).
Drivers can also engage “eDrive” mode to force the car to run solely on electricity, regardless of the demands placed on the powertrain. Alternatively, there are Performance and Qualifying modes. In these modes, both power sources work in tandem: Performance mode aims to preserve battery charge while maximizing usability, whereas Qualifying mode prioritizes ultimate performance with complete disregard for battery state.
Driving quietly through urban environments is a surprisingly delightful experience, and the damping is so sophisticated that the car is an incredibly comfortable cruiser. There’s even a reasonably sized luggage compartment in the front trunk (the “frunk”), a significant advantage over the SF90. But what both the reader and I truly want to know is: what does it feel like when both the engine and electric motor are truly unleashed?
The answer lies in planting the throttle at low revs in a high gear. The 296 GTB simply bolts forward with absolutely no lag, making you question the necessity of gears at all, given the sheer potency on tap. Nonetheless, there are eight speeds to exploit, and an engine that revs to a screaming 8,500rpm. When you properly uncork the 296 GTB, the sensation is absolutely electrifying.
As the specifications confirm, the rate of acceleration is the type that demands attention and evokes a nervous laugh—nearly to the
