The first Ferrari road car with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
Coming out of Maranello is the new Ferrari 296 GTB, a new hybrid supercar that packs a V6 engine and hybrid power. Don’t let the thought of a smaller engine fool you, because this new model packs 818 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. While the V6 engine provides 654 hp, the rear e-motor adds an additional 164 horsepower for the 818 hp total. That’s more horsepower than the F8 Tributo (710 hp), but less than the SF90 Stradale (986 hp). Ferrari notes that this new V6 engine “sets a record of 221 hp/l for specific torque output for a production car.” It should be mentioned that this is Ferrari’s first road-going car to be powered by a V6 engine if you don’t count the Dino.
When it comes to performance, the new Ferrari 296 GTB delivers. With a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a 0 to 124 mph time of 7.3 seconds, the 296 GTB is an absolute rocket. Ferrari states that its max speed can be found just over 205 mph. Like all modern Ferraris before this one, it has been tested heavily on the Fiorano Circuit. With a lap time of 1’21”, it’s 1.5 seconds quicker around the circuit than the F8 Tributo and 0.5 seconds quicker than the 488 Pista.
Being a hybrid with a battery, weight is a topic that needs to be discussed. Thankfully, the new 296 GTB’s weight is just 3,241 lbs. This power is distributed 59.5% to the rear and 40.5% to the front. The battery adding a few pounds in weight will allow the 296 GTB to travel up to 16 miles in pure electric mode.
As far as looks go, the Ferrari 296 GTB is beautiful. Being the most compact berlinetta from Ferrari in the past decade, its smaller size allows its design features to really stand out. What many will notice right away are the flying buttresses of the rear, which flow in from the muscular wheel arches and towards the rear wing. The design of the rear wing was inspired by cars like the classic 250 LM. A new central tailpipe is found just below the rear wing. Up front are new headlights that are mated with air intakes for the brakes.
Inside the 296 GTB is an interior that’s designed to focus on the driver. When looking at the dashboard, all of the necessary instruments are right in front of the the driver so they don’t have to take their eyes off of the road. It’s a perfect example of a driver-oriented cockpit. Ferrari also gave the 296 GTB all new seats that feature carbon fiber shells to keep weight low.
Alongside the release of the new 296 GTB, Ferrari also unveiled the new Assetto Fiorano package. This set-up includes aerodynamic and weight reduction modifications that make it an even more formidable track car. Changes found in this set-up include the Multimatic dampers, use of even more lightweight materials in the interior and exterior, a Lexan rear screen and an optional livery that was inspired by the 250 LM.
Expect to see the new Ferrari 296 GTB starting to be deliver in the beginning of 2022.
Source: Ferrari