Features June 24, 2021 By Carl S. Cunanan
Ferrari’s New 296 GTB

The 296 GTB, just unveiled to the world, is Ferrari’s new mid-rear-engined sportscar.
It is also, and this is a big deal, a hybrid. It uses an internal combustion engine that, on its own, sets the new specific power output record for a production road car. Ferrari’ numbers are 663 cv and 221 cv/l.
Do the math. The new internal combustion engine part of the equation is a V6 Turbo with an angle of 120 degrees in that V.
Have you done the math? That’s a three liter (2992 cm3) pushing 663 horsepower 29 engine size, 6-cylinder; hence the number designation 296. GTB by the way stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta.
Then there’s the electric part of the equation. The new car is the first-ever Ferrari with a rear wheel drive only Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle architecture. The rear-mounted electric motor is derived from the Formula 1 application, and produces 122 kW or 167 horsepower.
The two parts of the powertrain equation work together via what Ferrari calls the Transition Manager Actuator, which basically tells them which one gets to play. When they all play well together? 830 combined horses.
No, it’s not a v12. No it’s not even a V8. Will it be a real Ferrari?
The engineers and designers are emphatic. The new car is meant to be the most fun to drive Ferrari yet. This is helped by things like having a wheelbase shorter by 50mm than anything else and a center of gravity lower by 10mm than the F8. A 3280 pound dry curb weight also helps. And these are key points allowed by the use of a V6 instead of a V8 (a 40mm savings in length) and the wide 120 degree angle to the V. They call the handling feel almost go-kart like. More engaging, more fun to drive than anything in their stable, they say.
A car for the future? Yes? A nod to the past?
The rear flanks and their muscles may remind you of the beautiful 250LM.
Who is this car for?
The enthusiast driver, they say. You need to want to be engaged in the experience.
This is not the first six cylinder road car built by Ferrari. Remember the Dino? Never carried the Ferrari name, but one of the most well-loved cars of all time.
Why didn’t they use the Dino name, Ferrari was asked. Great explanation. The Dino was made to bring in new drivers into the family. It was made with some compromises in terms of how certain things were done.
This new car, the 296GTB? No compromises. Meant to be the most fun to drive Ferrari yet.
Lots of numbers were thrown around during the press conference. Perhaps the quickest answer was … “track time? 1:21” There wasn’t even a breath between question and answer. Clearly they know what’s important.
And yes, if you need more, they will offer the 296 GTB Asseto Fiorano. If you want that much more speed, handling, weight reduction and exclusivity.
Ferrari 296 GTB – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
Type V6 – 120°
Overall displacement 2992 cm3
Bore and stroke 88 mm x 82 mm
Max. power output ICE* 663 cv
Max. power output hybrid system** 610 kW (830 cv) at 8000 rpm
Max. torque 740 Nm at 6250 rpm
Max. revs 8500 rpm
Compression ratio 9.4:1
High voltage battery capacity 7.45 kWh
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Length 4565 mm
Width 1958 mm
Height 1187 mm
Wheelbase 2600 mm
Front track 1665 mm
Rear track 1632 mm
Dry weight*** 1470 kg
Dry weight/power ratio 1.77 kg/cv
Weight distribution 40.5 % front / 59.5 % rear
Fuel tanks capacity 65 litres
TYRES AND WHEELS
Front 245/35 ZR 20 J9.0
Rear 305/35 ZR 20 J11.0
BRAKES
Front 398 x 223 x 38 mm
Rear 360 x 233 x 32 mm
TRANSMISSION AND GEARBOX
8-speed F1 DCT
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
eSSC: eTC, eDiff, SCM, FDE2.0, EPS, ABS Evo, 6w-CDS; high-performance ABS/EBD with energy recovery
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed > 330 km/h
0-100 km/h 2.9 s
0-200 km/h 7.3 s
200-0 km/h 107 m
Fiorano lap time 1’ 21”