Ferrari 296 GTB Review: Ferrari's First V6 Plug-In Hybrid Delivers 830hp in a Compact Package
The Ferrari 296 GTB is Ferrari's first V6-powered road car and first mainstream plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.9-litre V6 engine with electric power to produce 830 horsepower. The name 296 references the 2.9-litre V6 configuration, while GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta, Ferrari's designation for a two-seater coupé. Priced just under £242,000, this mid-engined supercar offers dual character: explosive performance on track with 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and over 200mph top speed, plus near-silent electric-only driving for up to 15 miles. This review is based on first-hand driving impressions from professional racing driver and motoring presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson.
Vicki Butler-Henderson is a professional racing driver and established motoring presenter with extensive experience testing and evaluating high-performance vehicles. Her background in competitive motorsport and years of automotive journalism provide the technical knowledge and real-world driving experience necessary to assess Ferrari's engineering and performance characteristics accurately.
What Is the Ferrari 296 GTB?
The Ferrari 296 GTB represents a significant milestone for the Italian manufacturer as its first V6-powered road car and first mainstream plug-in hybrid offering. The model combines traditional Ferrari performance values with electrification technology, creating what could be described as two cars in one package.
The 296 is the most compact berlinetta from Ferrari in the last decade, featuring a mid-rear-mounted engine configuration and a short wheelbase that emphasizes agility and driver engagement.
What Influences the Design?
The 296 GTB's styling draws clear inspiration from Ferrari's racing heritage. The compact, mid-engined 1960s 205 LM influenced key design elements visible in the modern interpretation.
Key Design Features:- Visor-style windscreen
- Active spoiler integrated into the rear bumper spanning most of the space between tail lights
- Flying buttresses
- Sculpted curves emphasizing the short-wheelbase configuration
- Mid-rear-mounted V6 engine visible through the rear section
- Compact proportions reflecting Berlinetta tradition
The test car features a colour scheme that nods to the race colours of Maranello Concessionaires, the UK's first Ferrari importer, creating a distinctive British connection to Ferrari's Italian heritage.
How Practical Is a the 296 GTB?
Practicality in a mid-engined supercar operates within different parameters than family vehicles, but the 296 GTB offers some usable storage.
Storage Capacity:- Front trunk (frunk) provides just over 200 litres of space
- Sufficient room for two carry-on flight cases
- Shelf space behind the seats accommodates a pair of work bags
The compact boot reflects the nature of the Berlinetta configuration, where performance and engineering take priority over cargo capacity.
Interior Usability:
The driver-focused cabin places controls within reach, though some elements require consideration. The door handles open in a complex manner that may concern some users. The sun visor positioning does not accommodate all preferred settings, and the wireless charging pad allows the phone to move during cornering, requiring repositioning.
What Powers the 296 GTB?
The powertrain combines internal combustion and electric power to deliver exceptional performance.
Engine Specifications:
- 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine producing nearly 500 horsepower
- Electric motor adding 167 horsepower
- Combined system output: 830 horsepower and 740 Newton-metres of torque
- Eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with steering-mounted paddle shifters
Performance Figures:
- 0-62 mph: 2.9 seconds
- Top speed: Over 200 mph
- Electric-only range: Approximately 15 miles when fully charged
- Electric-only maximum speed: Almost 84 mph
Source: Ferrari official performance specifications
The V6 has earned the nickname "Piccolo V12" (Little V12) from Ferrari's Maranello team, acknowledging its characterful sound that extends toward the 8,500rpm redline. Ferrari's patented "Hot Tube" technology channels engine sound into the cabin to enhance the auditory experience.
How Does the Hybrid System Work?
The plug-in hybrid system offers multiple operating modes via haptic controls.Power Modes:
- eDrive: Pure electric propulsion with the engine off, driving the rear wheels silently
- Hybrid (H): Seamlessly blends electric and petrol power sources
- Performance: Prioritizes dynamic response
- Qualify: Delivers maximum performance at the expense of battery recharging efficiency
The battery can be recharged through the engine during driving or via plug-in charging. The electric motor integrates smoothly with the V6, making it easy to forget the hybrid technology is operating in normal driving situations, though initial throttle pickup in Hybrid mode is not immediately crisp.
How Does the 296 GTB Handle?
The 296 GTB employs Ferrari's traditional rear-wheel-drive chassis configuration combined with advanced electronic systems.
Handling Characteristics:
From a driver's perspective, the car delivers power to the tarmac in a surprisingly smooth manner when performance settings are engaged. The chassis incorporates a six-way dynamic sensor that, together with other systems, calculates optimal levels of tyre grip and engine torque to provide appropriate handling characteristics for each moment.
Driving Modes (Manettino):
Wet: Softens the car's responses for reduced grip conditions
Sport: Balanced road and track performance
Race: Track-focused dynamics
CT Off: Traction control disabled
ESC Off: Full stability control disabled for maximum sliding capability
The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox feeds gears efficiently using large paddle shifters. Pulling the right paddle shifts up, pulling the left paddle shifts down, and holding the left paddle allows the car to automatically downshift through the gears.
Braking Performance:
Carbon-ceramic brakes provide strong stopping power while incorporating regenerative charging. From a driver's perspective, the braking performance feels brilliant when scrubbing speed for corner entry, combining traditional friction braking with energy recovery.
Overall, the 296 GTB delivers what can be described as a massive bundle of fun, though from a driver's perspective it is not quite as accomplished as Ferrari's 812 GT and not quite as involving as the 458. These comparisons reflect the highest standards of Ferrari's performance offerings rather than fundamental shortcomings.
What About Real-World Driving with the 296 GTB?
Beyond the track, the Ferrari 296 GTB transforms character dramatically through its electric mode.
Electric-Only Operation:
Engaging eDrive mode turns off the petrol engine entirely, creating one of the most surreal experiences possible: silent operation in a Ferrari. This mode suits early morning departures where discretion is valued, though it could be argued that silent Ferrari operation denies fellow road users the opportunity to hear the distinctive engine note they might expect.
Road Manners:
On concrete-based tarmac surfaces, road noise becomes noticeably intrusive, more apparent during quiet electric operation when engine sound does not mask it.
The steering wheel configuration presents challenges in real-world use. Indicators, wipers, and lights have controls positioned at both the front and back of the wheel. Accessing additional functions requires waking up a haptic controller and swiping across a touch-sensitive pad until the correct mode appears on the screen. This arrangement demands more mental processing than necessary during driving.
These operational concerns diminish when the V6 engine engages with theatrical presence, restoring the expected Ferrari character.
What Are the Wheel and Tyre Specifications of the 296 GTB?
The test car features 20-inch forged diamond rims wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.These particular tyres are custom engineered for Ferrari which is shown by the K1 marking on the sidewall.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres are highly rated by the customers who have experienced them in the real world, winning the Best Tyres for High Performance Cars award multiple times in the DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards. The Pilot Sport 4 S received a rating of 4.8/5.0 from over 5,800 reviews.
What Are Some of the Optional Extras for the 296 GTB?
The 296 GTB tested includes substantial optional equipment adding almost £118,000 to the base price:
Blue racing stripe: £14,400
20-inch forged diamond rims: £4,608
Baby blue wheel paint: £2,400
Aluminium brake calipers: £1,300
Black ceramic exhaust pipes: £960
Carbon fibre key: £480
Assetto Fiorano high-performance package (lightweight features and aerodynamic modifications): £25,920
Carbon fibre racing seats: Nearly £6,000
Four-point racing harnesses: £2,700
The optional extras total represents the approximate cost of a pre-owned Ferrari 458, demonstrating how significantly specification choices impact final pricing at this level.
What Is the 296 GTB's Interior Like?
The cabin focuses entirely on the driver, creating an environment that approaches the office space of a Formula 1 driver.
Driver Environment:
Dashboard peaks behind the steering wheel
Controls distributed across the steering wheel
Large gearbox paddle shifters
Carbon fibre racing seats contoured for support (optional)
Four-point racing harnesses for track use (optional)
The passenger receives a dedicated screen displaying music controls, navigation maps, and current speed. The speed display may not suit nervous passengers who prefer not to monitor velocity constantly.
Between the seats, distinctively Italian-coloured switches control reverse, manual mode, automatic mode, and launch control, adding visual theatre to the functional elements.
How Does the 296 GTB Compare to Other Ferraris?
Within Ferrari's current line-up, the 296 GTB occupies a specific position. From a driver's perspective, the 812 GT offers more accomplished overall dynamics, while the naturally aspirated 458 provides slightly more involving driver engagement. These comparisons reflect personal preference and the exceptional standards Ferrari maintains across its range rather than suggesting the 296 GTB has significant shortcomings.
The 296 GTB's hybrid powertrain and compact dimensions create a different character from these alternatives, offering versatility through its dual-mode operation that neither purely petrol-powered car can match.
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