Electrification is pretty much inevitable in every sector of the automotive industry at this point, and the supercar segment is no exception. The all-new Ferrari 296 GTB plug-in hybrid (PHEV) supercar is here, and it’s the first Ferrari since the Dino 246 from the 1970s to have a V6 engine.
Slotting above the F8 Tributo, the 296 GTB is the brand’s newest electrified supercar after the SF90 Stradale. Despite having a V6 instead of a V8 like in typical Ferrari two-seater berlinettas, the amount of power it produces is still impressive. The 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 gasoline engine alone produces 654 hp. Combined with the electric motors, and the total system output is at 819 hp and 740 Nm of torque. 0-100 kph happens in just 2.9 seconds, while top speed is at 330 kph. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Of course, being a PHEV, the 296 GTB has a decent pure electric range when the batteries are fully charged, in this car, it’s rated at 25 kilometers. With the added electric gizmos to make this an eco-friendly supercar, Ferrari spent a lot of effort to minimize the expected weight gain. The decision to downsize to a V6 was due to weight, and Ferrari’s efforts meant that the 296 GTB is only 35 kg heavier than the F8 Tributo. That said, the McLaren Artura, which is also a PHEV, is lighter by 75 kg.
For added performance and reduced weight, the Ferrari 296 GTB can be equipped with an optional Assetto Fiorano package, which adds multimatic dampers, added carbon fiber exterior and interior parts, carbon fiber bucket seats with racing harnesses, stickier Michelin Cup 2 R tires, and even a composite rear windscreen. The package makes the 296 GTB 12 kg lighter than the standard model. In addition, there’s also an optional set of carbon fiber wheels, which further reduce its weight by 7 kg.
The 296 GTB’s overall design borrows a number of modern and classic design cues from the SF90 Stradale and the 250 LM from the 1960s. The A-pillars are blacked out, which is a design trait we haven’t seen in Ferraris for quite a while. As a matter of fact, the Ferrari 296 GTB looks similar to the Lamborghini Asterion concept car from a few years back. At the rear of the 296 GTB is a very futuristic set of taillights, a single-piece exhaust outlet, and an active rear spoiler that contributes to the car’s 360 kg of downforce when traveling at high speeds.
As for the interior, the design is typical Ferrari berlinetta styling, with everything angled towards the driver. Just like in the SF90 Stradale, the interior layout has been heavily modernized with its digital displays and capacitive touch sensors and switches. Also equipped as standard is a passenger-side digital display screen.
The Ferrari 296 GTB is expected to go on sale in Europe in early 2022, while a Philippine launch could possibly happen in late 2022 or early 2023.
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