Ferrari enthusiasts, myself included, have a peculiar reverence for the past. Mention names like Daytona or Dino, and our hearts flutter nostalgically. Yet Ferrari itself is always restless, refusing to be constrained by its storied history.
Enter the Ferrari 296 GTB, a car tasked with not just honouring a legendary past, but forging an exhilaratingly different future.
But before you raise your eyebrows and mutter “Yet another hybrid?” let me reassure you: this isn’t your typical exercise in fuel-saving tedium. With the 296 GTB, Ferrari has sprinkled a little bit of Modena magic into the battery packs.
Aerodynamic elegance
The 296 GTB is a sports car with purpose etched in every line. Ferrari’s designers have carved a mobile sculpture, blending classic Ferrari cues with modern aerodynamic efficiency.
From the sweeping front arches reminiscent of 1960s Le Mans racers to the sharp creases and airflow channels that manage the wind gracefully, every curve serves a purpose.
The car’s active aero features, including a sophisticated deployable rear spoiler, ensure stability at any speed while giving it that irresistible visual drama when parked outside your favourite café.
A cabin of modernity and nostalgia
Settling into the cockpit, you’re greeted by Ferrari’s latest digital instrumentation; a high-definition 16-inch display that wraps elegantly around you. At your fingertips is the familiar ‘Manettino’ switch on the steering wheel, a tactile, physical nod to analogue pleasures.
Yet, Ferrari’s insistence on embedding controls within capacitive touchpads on the steering wheel isn’t the most graceful. My thumbs still long for tangible buttons when toggling drive modes or adjusting settings mid-corner.
Still, it’s undeniably futuristic, and the layout offers a sense of occasion befitting a car of this calibre.
Material-wise, the 296 GTB’s interior is nothing short of exquisite; soft leather, precise stitching, carbon fibre panels that dance under sunlight, and metallic accents that gleam like finely-polished watch bezels. It’s an environment designed for both spirited drives and leisurely cruises.
Ferraris have never been particularly practical, but the 296 GTB is surprisingly easy to live with for a supercar. There’s a modest luggage compartment at the front, and visibility is aided by modern driver aids, though negotiating a tight car park may cause mild anxiety.
The hybrid system also means there’s an EV-only mode (about 25 kilometres of whisper-quiet running) perfect for slipping discreetly through city streets without waking your neighbours. Sounds trivial, but your fellow condo residents will appreciate this civilised touch.
An engine that sings in a new key
Central to the 296 GTB experience is Ferrari’s new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, set at an unconventional but clever 120-degree angle, the widest ever used by Ferrari. It’s affectionately dubbed the “piccolo V12” (little V12) by the engineers, and for good reason. Close your eyes and you’d swear the glorious sound escaping the exhausts was composed of twelve cylinders rather than six.
Paired with a compact but potent electric motor, the 296 GTB boasts a staggering 819bhp combined, ensuring it leaps from 0 to 100km/h in a pulse-quickening 2.9 seconds.
The V6 also sports twin turbochargers nestled snugly within the “hot-V”, reducing lag significantly and sharpening throttle response. Ferrari’s commitment to authenticity shines here: turbocharged it might be, but the throttle response is razor-sharp, giving a naturally aspirated sensation that’s genuinely addictive.
Out on the open road, the 296 GTB redefines rapidity. It surges forward with the kind of instant electric thrust that forces your spine against the seat, complemented perfectly by the V6’s soaring mechanical crescendo. The symphony from behind your shoulders is emotional, evoking memories of Ferraris past, yet crafted for a future-proof driving sensation.
Crucially, the hybrid system doesn’t dilute the experience. Rather, it amplifies it. The electric motor fills in any turbo lag, ensuring acceleration is seamlessly relentless, while Ferrari’s Variable Boost Management expertly adjusts torque according to gear and throttle position. The result is a car that feels agile, responsive, and brilliantly alive.
The review unit I took had the Assetto Fiorano pack fitted to it, and unless you are intending to head to trackdays with your 296, you can skip this option. The improved coils and bucket seats induced spine-tingling jolts into the cabin.
You’re better off with Ferrari’s default advanced chassis control systems, which is more than sufficient for most needs.
On winding country roads, its composure is astonishing, absorbing imperfections gracefully yet providing precision worthy of track-focused machinery. The car communicates clearly, its steering direct but never frantic.
It’s confidence-inspiring, rewarding, and utterly addictive to drive.
A future classic?
The 296 GTB is a monumental step forward, not just for Ferrari but for performance cars in general. It blends heritage and innovation with astonishing ease. Traditionalists might still long for a naturally aspirated V12 soundtrack, but even they would admit this hybrid V6 masterpiece is utterly captivating.
More importantly, the 296 GTB offers a glimpse into Ferrari’s electrified future. Rather than dilute the brand’s legendary identity, hybridisation here only serves to intensify it.
Welcome to the future; it’s going to be electrifying.
Technical Specifications
Ferrari 296 GTB
Engine: 3-Litre V6
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 819 bhp
Torque: 740 Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed (A) F1 DCT
0-100km/h: 2.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 330 km/h
Fuel Economy: 15.6 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$1,416,242 without COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
Read more content at Burnpavement, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!
