Ferrari rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to developing gorgeous cars that deliver outstanding performance. And with the unveiling of its newest supercar – the 296 GTB – the Italian company has shown once again that it can move with the times, embrace new technology, and still deliver.

You see, the 296 GTB is a hybrid, pairing a V6 engine with an electric motor and 7.45 kWh battery set-up – the first time the company has done so on a road car.

And the combination delivers thumping performance. The 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo engine pumps out 484kW and when in combination with the electric motor, power jumps up to 620Kw and 740Nm. That power is directed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission offering, Ferrari says, the fastest gear changes in the market.

The company claims 100km/h can be reached in just 2.9 seconds, and 200km/h in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is over 330km/h. Outstanding stuff.

The electric part of the powertrain is powerful enough, Ferrari says, for a pure-electric range of 25km.

Ferrari has focused hard on performance and driving dynamics. The 296 GTB wheelbase is some 50mm shorter than the F8 model Tributo and even with the additional battery and electric motor components, the use of innovative materials and a smaller engine, keeps the car pretty light. There’s also a new anti-lock braking ‘evo’ system and other new elements including a Transition Manager Actuator (TMA) and a 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor – a world first for the automotive sector. Aerodynamics are assisted by a suspended wing on the front – a tech reminiscent of that used in Formula One – and an active rear spoiler. There are brake cooling ducts beside the front headlights and an interesting design feature is the new central tailpipe.

On the inside, things are high-tech and futuristic, with digital instrumentation and plenty of leather, metal and carbon fibre used for the trim. The seats have been designed using a carbon fibre shell to keep the weight down.

There’s a beefed-up version of the 296 GTB on offer too, with customers seeking to get even more out of the car able to select the Assetto Fiorano package.

The 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano is even trimmer than the standard version thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre components and gets even more extreme handling thanks to a racing-derived suspension. A new special livery car also be ordered exclusively for the Assetto Fiorano package.

The 296 GTB models are to go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2022, with the 296 GTB priced from €269,000 ($A423,500), and the Assetto Fiorano from €302,000 ($A475,500).

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (July 2021) 

26 July 2021