Ferrari 296 GTB by Ferrari - plug-in hybrid supercar refines driving feel

The Ferrari 296 GTB slides into view in a narrow pit lane, its red paint catching stray reflections from damp asphalt and pit lights. The low nose, compact tail and sculpted air intakes give it a contained, almost muscular stance. As the driver taps the throttle, the car glides forward in near silence on electric power before the V6 wakes up with a crisp, metallic note.

Plug-in hybrid, compact V6

Ferrari 296 GTB is Ferrari’s first road car centered on a 120-degree turbocharged V6 engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, producing a combined 830 cv at 8,000 rpm according to the manufacturer’s technical sheet. The displacement stands at 2,992 cc, with the V6 alone delivering 663 cv, a specific power output of 221 cv per liter. The car’s name reflects this layout: “29” for the displacement and “6” for the cylinder count.

The 296 GTB uses an axial flux electric motor integrated between the V6 and the gearbox, powered by a high-voltage 7.45 kWh battery placed low in the chassis. In eDrive mode, the car can cover up to 25 km purely on electric power, with a top speed of 135 km/h on electric drive alone, making short urban journeys possible without starting the combustion engine. Between the V6 and the electric unit, total torque reaches 740 Nm, channelled to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Driving modes and chassis finesse

On a fast back road, the most noticeable sensation in the 296 GTB is how quickly the steering responds to small inputs, the nose darting towards apexes with light effort at the wheel. Ferrari’s engineers, under the direction of chief technology officer Michael Leiters during the development phase, pursued a shorter wheelbase and compact packaging to enhance agility compared with the brand’s previous mid-engined V8 berlinettas. The wheelbase measures around 50 mm shorter than the F8 Tributo, trimming the footprint without sacrificing stability at high speed.

The 296 GTB offers four main powertrain modes controlled by the eManettino on the steering wheel: eDrive, Hybrid, Performance and Qualify. In Hybrid, the car decides when to blend electric and combustion power, balancing efficiency and performance. Performance mode keeps the V6 active and maintains the battery state of charge to deliver repeatable acceleration runs, useful on track days. Qualify unleashes maximum system output by prioritising outright performance, allowing the car to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reach 200 km/h in 7.3 seconds according to Ferrari’s data. The claimed top speed exceeds 330 km/h on suitable circuits.

Design details and cabin feel

Up close, the 296 GTB’s bodywork feels tightly drawn over the mechanicals, with short overhangs and pronounced haunches over the rear wheels. The exterior design, led by Flavio Manzoni and the Ferrari Styling Centre, draws inspiration from classic models like the 250 LM, using a visor-style windscreen and a clean, uncluttered side profile. The rear features a distinct central exhaust and an active rear spoiler integrated into the tail, deploying to increase downforce in high-speed corners.

Inside, the cabin is dominated by digital interfaces: a curved instrument cluster wraps around the driver, while capacitive touch controls cluster on the steering wheel and dashboard. Reviewers from specialist outlets have noted the tactile feel of the metal shift paddles and the compact steering wheel, with the driver’s hands naturally resting close to the indicators and driving mode switches. Compared with older Ferraris, physical buttons have largely given way to touch-sensitive surfaces, which some testers describe as precise but demanding a short acclimatisation period.

Market positioning and customer profile

Ferrari positions the 296 GTB as a berlinetta for clients who value sharp handling and are ready to embrace hybrid technology rather than chasing top-tier track times alone. The car sits alongside the 296 GTS convertible in the line-up and below limited-series models such as the SF90 XX Stradale in price and exclusivity. In key European markets, including Italy and Germany, the 296 GTB’s base list price typically starts in the region of 280,000 to 300,000 euro before options, depending on local taxation and configuration. Factory customisation via Ferrari’s personalisation programs can significantly raise the final invoice.

Demand for high-priced sports cars with electrified drivetrains has grown, especially among buyers who drive in city centres with emissions restrictions but still want engine sound and performance on weekends. Dealers report that many 296 GTB customers previously owned V8 mid-engined Ferraris and are now moving into the hybrid age, often specifying track-focused options such as the Assetto Fiorano package, which adds lightweight components and specific aerodynamic enhancements.

Hybrid tech and Ferrari N.V. share

The 296 GTB also plays a strategic role: Ferrari uses it to showcase a new generation of hybrid powertrains that will gradually spread across the range, aligning with broader CO2 and emissions targets without dropping performance ambitions. For investors, the 296 GTB forms part of a broader portfolio of GT and sports models that contribute to revenue diversification across regions and price levels. On the Borsa Italiana in Milan, Ferrari N.V. stock trades in euro, and analysts incorporate demand for models like the 296 GTB into volume and margin expectations, particularly in the sports car segment.