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The plug-in hybrid supercar offers an incredible amount of power and relentless acceleration.
When Ferrari first announced it was making a hybrid over a decade ago, a lot of people were skeptical. Purists felt a Ferrari should be solely powered by an engine, not assisted by something else. However, when the Ferrari LaFerrari launched in 2014 the critics soon fell silent.
The LaFerrari was ruthlessly quick and incredibly beautiful. It instantly captured the hearts of every Ferrari fan, despite being a mild hybrid. Now, Ferrari is taking it up a notch. Instead of a mild hybrid that only recharges when you brake, the firm has launched two plug-in hybrid models. The first Ferrari PHEV unveiled was the SF90 Stradale, a 986 hp hypercar akin to the LaFerrari.
Arguably more intriguing is the 296 GTB, which was presented in June 2021. The 296 costs around half as much as the SF90. Therefore, while the SF90 is a collector's piece that will rarely be seen outside private garages, the 296 GTB is a "mainstream supercar" that aims to compete with the Lamborghini Huracán and McLaren 720s.
When the 296 GTB debuted last summer, Ferrari placed a strong emphasis on the fact that it was the first "real Ferrari with six cylinders". Previously, only Dino models of the 1960s and '70s featured a V6 engine, and they were never sold as true Ferraris - in fact, Dino was technically a sub-brand.
Furthermore, while the 296 is not the first hybrid Ferrari (nor the first plug-in hybrid Ferrari) it is the brand's first rear-wheel drive hybrid. The 296's RWD layout allows for more thrills on the road and better performance on the track. Moreover, the 296's turbochargers are between the cylinder banks to allow for better packaging and to lower its center of gravity. Again, this is a first for Ferrari.
The 296 GTB also debuts a lot of new technical features. For example, it has a six-axis sensor called 6w-CDS that measures acceleration and the rotation speeds of the X, Y and Z planes. It uses this data to communicate with other systems like the Slide Slip Control and E-Diff to optimize cornering speed.
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By combining a V6 engine with an electric motor, Ferrari has made an incredibly powerful vehicle. Individually, the 296's engine produces 654 hp and its motor 165 hp. Collectively this adds up to 819 hp, which makes the 296 the most powerful 2-door supercar in its price bracket (at least until the updated Tesla Roadster arrives).
The 296 GTB's 7.45 kWh battery pack allows for up to 15 miles of all-electric driving according to Ferrari. However, in reality you'll be lucky to get over 10 miles of electric range according to WLTP testing. Still, this means the 296 can dodge congestion charges in a lot of European cities and drive through certain zones at times of the day when combustion-only vehicles cannot.
When in e-mode, the 296 has a top speed of 84 mph. It's not supposed to be fast, as touched on above the electric mode is best used for cruising around the city and running errands. However, when you engage the engine the 296 GTB turns into a monster. Ferrari claims 0-60 mph takes 2.9-seconds, meanwhile top speed is 205 mph. What's most impressive is how relentless the 296 is beyond 60 mph. 60-120 mph takes just 3.8-seconds, a remarkable figure.
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The 296 GTB is ultimately all about the driver. Unlike the Ferrari Roma, it's not a grand tourer but instead a fully fledged supercar. Therefore, creature comforts are minimal. You get the basics like AC and a navigation/radio system, but that's about it. Given the 296 is lugging around a 7.45 kWh battery and a load of performance tech it already weights a hefty (for a supercar) 3,572-pounds.
That said, the 296's cabin is high quality throughout. All information lies in front of the driver on the instrument cluster, there is no central display. There is however a slender passenger display which shows current speed and has a few limited options. Five different types of bucket seats are available, all clad in luxury Italian leather.
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Unsurprisingly, the 296 GTB is incredibly expensive. Prices start at $322,986 - however getting your hands on one from Ferrari could take a while (expect a 2-year wait time). That said, the 296 GTB and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance are the only non-EVs currently on sale that offer over 800 hp for less than $500,000. The 296 GTB also outclasses the V8 F8 Tributo on the track (it's a second quicker around Fiorano) and the drag strip (the 296 runs a 10.4-second quarter-mile, the F8 takes 10.5-seconds). So all-in-all that price seems somewhat justified, especially when you consider the pioneering performance tech the 296 GTB comes with. For those chasing after a roofless experience, a GTS variant of the 296 will hit the market in a few months time.
Ben O’Hare is a college student and writer from Cork, Ireland. From a young age, he has been both a passionate car enthusiast and environmentalist. He fused these two interests when he founded his own brand, Electric Car News, in 2019. ECN has a large Instagram following and podcast. Ben currently writes for several other major outlets as well as HotCars.