The Ferrari 296 GTB, the luxury brand's second plug-in hybrid car, hugs a corner on Ferrari’s private racetrack, the Fiorano Circuit, in Maranello, Italy. The 296 GTB is Ferrari’s second plug-in hybrid, pairing a V6 turbo engine with an electric motor.Courtesy of manufacturer
Global demand for electric vehicles may be slowing, but with the planet warming and government mandates looming, Ferrari is betting big on a challenging goal: developing an EV that drives like a Ferrari.
The Italian supercar maker known for the sonorous vroom of its gas engines has opened its €200-million ($299-million) “e-building” and will reveal its first fully electric car next year. The company launched its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the SF90 Stradale, last year and aims for EVs and PHEVs to account for 60 per cent of sales by 2026.
Ferrari rivals? Lamborghini and McLaren also offer PHEVs and both say they plan to deliver a fully electric car – Lamborghini by 2028, while McLaren says it’s working on an EV supercar, timing to be announced.
For now, we have the 296 GTB, Ferrari’s second plug-in hybrid, which pairs a V6 turbo engine with an electric motor. This is the first Ferrari that is a rear-wheel-drive-only PHEV; the SF90 Stradale PHEV has a four-litre V8 turbo engine mated to dual electric motors, so power is sent to all four wheels.
While some may balk at the idea of an electric motor in a Ferrari, after driving it, I can say the 296 GTB definitely retains the car company’s racing and performance DNA.
As the EV revolution slows, Ferrari enters the race
The 296 name comes from a combination of the vehicle’s total displacement (2.9 litres) and six cylinders with the GTB acronym, short for “Gran Turismo Berlinetta,” which refers to a sports coupe with usually two seats in Italian. While the 2024 Ferrari 296 GTB is built for streets, it’s perfectly at home on the track, especially at Ferrari’s private racetrack, the Fiorano Circuit in Maranello, Italy.
Push the start-stop button on the steering wheel and the V6 engine roars to life. Sure, it’s not the same as Ferrari’s trademark V8 or V12, but it’s still pronounced and impressive. Nail the throttle and the deep exhaust note is further amplified.
With a Ferrari instructor riding shotgun, I push the vehicle to its limits on the three-kilometre test track. From a standstill, I hit 100 kilometres an hour in 2.9 seconds. Accelerating beyond 220 kilometres an hour on the long straightways and nearly 100 kilometres an hour in the corners is a cinch, owing to the gas engine and electric motor, which combine to deliver a total output of 819 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
When cornering, the 296 is nimble, agile and confident. The front seats are extremely supportive, keeping you nestled in place when taking corners quickly. Lap after lap, the vehicle remained well-balanced and planted firmly to the pavement. The accelerator pedal response is instant and smooth at all speeds; the steering wheel response is prompt and precise and the brake pedal feel is firm and responsive. The vehicle can stop on a dime.
The 296 can hit 100 kilometres an hour in 2.9 seconds and accelerating beyond 220 kilometres an hour on long straightways is a cinch.Courtesy of manufacturer
There are four driving modes – eDrive, Hybrid, Performance and Qualify. On the track, we use the Qualify mode, which provides maximum performance but at the cost of battery recharging capacity. In Performance mode, the gas engine is always on and helps maintain the battery efficiency to ensure full power at all times. In Hybrid mode, the gas engine backs up the electric motor when higher performance is required. And in electric-only eDrive mode, the car can travel up to 25 kilometres and reach speeds of up to 135 kilometres an hour without any help from the gas engine. Sure, that’s not much range, but at least you can leave the driveway without waking up your neighbours. The rear-mounted electric motor charges the high-voltage battery, turns on the gas engine and supplies it with additional torque and power. The 7.45-kilowatt-hour battery pack is hidden under the floor.
Design wise, the 296 GTB is stunning with sleek aerodynamic cues, including an active rear spoiler that’s not only attractive, but functional. At high speeds on the track, the spoiler deploys and extends from the bumper. When not needed, it stows away seamlessly into the rear bumper. Ferrari officials say the spoiler results in a 100-kilogram increase in downforce over the rear axle, which enhances the driver’s control in high-performance driving situations while minimizing stopping distances when braking.
What is a bit disappointing is the interior. While it’s well made and the seats are supportive and firm, the technology feels outdated with small screens – even a tiny one for the passenger side. The infotainment system is awkward and not user-friendly. Finding functions fast is challenging because of the busy layout. There are buttons, dials and thumbpads in front of the steering wheel to allow you to change screens, but it’s fickle, tricky and best to leave the essentials on display – the speed, gear and revs – and forget about anything else. I suppose it’s a driver’s car – not meant for extra frills.
The 2024 Ferrari 296 GTB doesn’t disappoint. Even though it’s a hybrid, it pays tribute to Ferrari’s racing legacy, performance roots and dynamic driving characteristics. Prices start north of $370,000.
Tech specs
2024 Ferrari 296 GTB
- Price: $373,000 plus $6,200 for freight and $7,400 for predelivery inspection in Ontario, plus luxury and other taxes
- Engine: Three-litre turbocharged V6 engine
- Battery / electric motor: 7.45-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion / 123 kilowatts
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 819 / 545
- Transmission / drive: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic / Rear-wheel drive
- Curb weight: 1,470 kilograms
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 6.6 combined highway and city
- Alternatives: Lamborghini Huracan, McLaren 750S, Porsche 911 Turbo S
Looks
Tight, sporty dimensions with strong, sharp creases, sexy curves and large air intakes. A long hood, short wheelbase and beefy wheels make this prancing horse stand out on the road. The visor-style windscreen wraps around the side windows at the front; at the rear, a transparent engine cover showcases the V6.
Interior
The interior is lacklustre for this price point. The audio and navigation systems are overly complicated and not intuitive. The screens, for the driver and passenger, are small and feel outdated. The steering wheel is busy and littered with buttons, dials and knobs. It’s not easy to find functions fast.
Performance
Fast, furious and nimble – the new V6 weighs 30 kilograms less than the V8 unit found in previous coupes. To further offset the weight of this hybrid, there’s lightweight materials and a single electric motor driving the rear wheels only.
Technology
Don’t expect too many driver-assistance safety technology or convenience features in the 296 – after all, this is a driver’s car.
Cargo
What cargo? There’s some space in the front trunk, but it’s tight even for my large purse.
The verdict
Even though it’s a plug-in hybrid, this Ferrari remains true to its motorsports roots as a powerful and exhilarating sports car that’s more fuel efficient than its gas-only-powered siblings.
The writer was a guest of Shell. Content was not subject to approval.
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