Nearly a year after its international debut, the Ferrari 296 GTB makes its first appearance in South Africa. We take a closer look at the Italian sportscar.
Since the new Ferrari 296 GTB made its global debut, many have described it as a spiritual successor to the Dino 246 GT. And although there are similarities, such as the number of cylinders and even some design elements, the two couldn’t be further apart. Firstly, the Dino 246 GT, while powered by a Ferrari engine, is not an official Ferrari, it is a Dino of course.
But like the Dino that saw Ferrari build a completely different engine specifically for the model, the 296 GTB also had the engineers at Ferrari come up with a completely new recipe. One that offers fewer cylinders but more efficiency and most importantly more power. But there are many other key elements that together culminate in the 296 GTB and result in the model being quite special in the Italian marque’s line-up.
Styling
Like most of the 296 GTB’s stablemates, the styling on the new model is a departure from models of the past, however, incorporates design elements of iconic, race-winning Ferrari models of the past. One of the more noticeable elements that pay homage to the earlier models is the rear fenders which are styled reminiscent of the 1963 Ferrari 250 LM.
Although there are many classic elements incorporated, walking around the model one quickly notices that every curve, line or feature in the bodywork has its own function and that is to either slice through the air or direct air to inlets or surfaces that create downforce. Upfront, next to the headlamps, which draw inspiration from the teardrop design of the past, feature air ducts that feed air to the front brakes.
Further down the side of the model, there are air intakes which in comparison to the F8 Tributor and 488 GTB are much smaller in size, however, no less effective. At the rear, there is the familiar rear screen above the engine that allows you to see into the engine bay, while right at the end, the Italian automaker has incorporated an active rear spoiler which acts as an airbrake under hard braking.
Centrally featured at the rear is the large exhaust outlet while in the corners feature duel taillamps which take on a more rectangular design as seen on the SF90 range.
Interior
Like the exterior, the interior of the 296 GTB offers a new direction in design with impressive technologies. In front of the driver feature a newly-design multifunctional steering wheel which now replaces the traditional start button with a touch and swipe operation. Once the car is started up, the large fully digital instrument cluster, better known as the human-machine interface (HMI) comes alive to showcase information about the vehicle as well as the infotainment.
Customers can also optionally fit a passenger display which allows the second occupant to not only monitor the vehicle speed, revs and manettino setting but also access and control the infotainment system. This all results in an uncluttered interior with only a few elements such as the classic design drive selector to draw attention.
As can be expected inside such a performance-oriented vehicle, the leather seats, dashboard and door trims are bolstered with carbon fibre trim pieces. The model on the display was specified to offer black leather, Daytona-style seats with red contrast stitching. The Centre tunnel was finished in exposed carbon fibre while the door cards were trimmed with a combination of leather and Alcantara.
Engine & Transmission
One of the most exciting pieces of engineering in the new 296 GTB is its powertrain configuration. Sitting deep within the mid-engined Ferrari is a 2.9-litre, twin-turbocharged, V6 petrol engine. The 120° V motor sees the twin turbos fitted between the two banks for better heat dissipation but more importantly, less turbo lag.
On its own, the V6 engine will deliver 488 kW, however, is bolstered by a 122 kW electric motor for a combined output of 610 kW and 740 Nm of torque. The electric motor which comes with a high voltage 7.45 kWh battery is not only there to improve performance but can be utilized on its own for an estimated 25 km.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain is coupled to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The culmination of this technology results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.9 seconds, a 0-200km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of just over 330 km/h.
Pricing
In order to own a Ferrari 296 GTB, one will have to part with R 6 380 200 before you start specifying any of the optional equipment or the Assetto Fiorano package. For this amount, Ferrari includes a 3-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 7-year / unlimited-kilometre service plan, with service intervals set at every 15 000km.
Verdict
Although we weren’t able to experience the new Ferrari 296 GTB on the road, the first impressions of the standard technology included in the package as well as the performance the Italian automaker has packed in such a small body do make for a compelling offer. Especially considering that the 296 GTB, with two fewer cylinders returns very similar 0-100 sprint times to its more powerful SF90 sibling.
Keyword: Ferrari 296 GTB (2022) - Local model launch