The 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB: Redefining the Hybrid Supercar Landscape
The automotive world stands at a precipice in 2025, hurtling towards an electrified future with an intensity unimaginable just a few years ago. Government mandates, shifting consumer preferences, and groundbreaking technological advancements have transformed the luxury sports car market, making plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) not just an option, but often the default choice for those seeking both exhilarating performance and a nod to sustainability. As an industry veteran with a decade embedded in the high-performance automotive realm, I’ve witnessed countless attempts to blend electric propulsion with internal combustion. Most, frankly, fall short. They’re often compromised, burdened by excess weight, or feature an electric mode that feels more like an afterthought. Yet, one vehicle has not only defied these expectations but shattered them, setting a new benchmark for the category: the Ferrari 296 GTB. This isn’t just a car; it’s a profound statement, a masterclass in automotive innovation, and arguably Ferrari’s most significant achievement this decade.
When the Ferrari 296 GTB first debuted, it sent ripples through the exotic car market. This wasn’t Maranello’s first foray into hybridization – the legendary LaFerrari and the potent SF90 Stradale laid that groundwork. However, the 296 GTB was different. It wasn’t a limited-run hypercar or a technology demonstrator. It was positioned as the spiritual successor to Ferrari’s revered mid-engine V8 berlinettas, a lineage stretching back decades. The very notion of replacing a beloved, screaming V8 with a hybridized V6 raised eyebrows, even among the most ardent tifosi. But Ferrari, ever the pioneer, understood that the future demands evolution, not stagnation. And with the 296 GTB, they didn’t just evolve; they revolutionized.
From my extensive experience evaluating high-performance hybrid vehicles, the typical PHEV experience often presents a dilemma. You gain efficiency and a silent electric range, but at the cost of added complexity, weight, and often, a muted driving sensation when the gasoline engine finally kicks in. The internal combustion engine (ICE) often feels overworked, strained by the heft of the battery and electric motors. This is where the 296 GTB carves its own path. It doesn’t just incorporate a hybrid system; it integrates it so seamlessly that the electric power becomes an intrinsic part of the car’s soul, an enhancement rather than a compromise.
At the heart of this masterpiece lies an engineering marvel: Ferrari’s all-new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, dubbed the “piccolo V12” by the engineers themselves. This isn’t just hyperbole; it’s a testament to its character. Developing a staggering 663 horsepower on its own, this V6 boasts an incredible 221 hp/liter – a significant leap over the F8 Tributo’s V8. The secret sauce, beyond Ferrari’s legendary tuning prowess, is its “hot vee” configuration. By widening the angle between the cylinder banks to 120 degrees, Ferrari’s engineers could position the twin IHI turbochargers directly within the V. This isn’t a new concept for Ferrari, having experimented with it in their F1 cars back in the ’80s, but its application here is nothing short of brilliant. This layout drastically shortens the exhaust path to the turbos, minimizing turbo lag and maximizing volumetric efficiency. The result is an engine that revs with an astonishing eagerness, blurring the lines between forced induction and a naturally aspirated powerplant. The throttle response is so immediate, so visceral, that you’d be forgiven for forgetting the turbos are even there. This sophisticated combustion chamber design, derived from the SF90 Stradale, paired with a massive 350-bar fuel injection system, ensures every drop of fuel is precisely atomized and combusted for maximum power and minimal emissions, a critical factor in the stringent 2025 regulatory environment.
But the symphony of power doesn’t end with the V6. Sandwiched between the engine and the sublime 8-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission, co-developed with Magna, is a YASA-sourced axial flux electric motor. This compact disc delivers an additional 167 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, culminating in a colossal combined output of 830 horsepower. This figure places the 296 GTB in the same rarefied air as Ferrari’s limited-production 812 Competizione, highlighting the sheer potency of this hybrid drivetrain. While Ferrari doesn’t quote a combined torque figure, it’s evident the integration allows for instantaneous torque fill, launching the car with an urgency that borders on violent.
The electric power is fed by a compact 7.45-kWh battery, strategically placed behind the seats. Critics might point to its modest 15-mile electric-only range compared to some mainstream PHEVs, but for a supercar, this range is incredibly useful for silent city cruising or slipping out of your neighborhood without waking the neighbors. It demonstrates Ferrari’s commitment to sustainable luxury vehicles without compromising core performance values. While charging from a 6-kW wall charger takes over two hours, the V6 is exceptionally efficient at recharging the battery on the fly, ensuring that electric boost is always on tap when you demand it.
One of the most remarkable feats of the 296 GTB is its weight management. The hybrid powertrain adds a considerable 287 pounds, yet the car’s dry weight tips the scales at just 3,241 pounds – a mere 77 pounds heavier than the F8 Tributo and identical to its predecessor, the 488 GTB. This meticulous attention to lightweight materials and chassis design underscores Ferrari’s engineering breakthroughs. Unlike the all-wheel-drive SF90, the 296 GTB sends all its colossal power to the rear wheels, a philosophical choice that speaks volumes about Ferrari’s dedication to a pure, unadulterated driving experience, prioritizing driver engagement over outright traction. This approach resonates deeply with enthusiasts seeking track day performance cars that challenge and reward in equal measure.
My first encounter with the 296 GTB was, naturally, on the track, a testament to its intended purpose. Opting for a model equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package, the car transformed into an even sharper instrument. This track-focused option includes advanced aerodynamic elements, a GT-class passive Multimatic suspension, competition-grade Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2R tires, a Lexan rear screen, and extensive use of carbon fiber. These enhancements shave off 26 pounds and elevate the car’s already formidable capabilities. The price tag for such exclusivity is substantial, pushing the base price considerably, but for those seeking the ultimate edge in supercar handling dynamics, it’s an investment-grade performance upgrade.
Sliding into the cockpit, the 296 GTB immediately feels raw and athletic. The traditional analog gauges have given way to a sweeping, curved digital display, a bold leap into the future of automotive innovation. While the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and the new Human Machine Interface (HMI) with haptic controls on the steering wheel represent Ferrari’s push for a “younger” demographic, I, as a seasoned expert, find them to have a noticeable learning curve. The turn-signal buttons, a long-standing Ferrari peculiarity, and the imitation of a 1950s open shift gate for the automatic gearbox, while aesthetically intriguing, can detract slightly from intuitive operation. It’s a bold design choice, one that demands adaptation from traditionalists, but ultimately doesn’t overshadow the car’s core brilliance.
The steering wheel is a control center, featuring not one, but two manettinos. The right-hand dial offers familiar driving modes: Wet, Sport, Race, CT-Off (traction control off), and ESC-Off (electronic stability control off). The novel “eManettino” on the left dictates electric power delivery: eDrive for full electric mode (up to 84 mph), Hybrid as the default, Performance favoring the combustion engine while maintaining battery charge, and Qualify, unleashing every available horse to the rear wheels.
Selecting Race and Qualify, I unleashed the 296 GTB onto the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The complexity of its powertrain vanished with the first straight, the first aggressive braking zone, and the first corner. The car is unequivocally thrilling, blisteringly fast, and astonishingly capable. Despite the added weight of the hybrid components and the intricate dance between two power sources, the 296 GTB’s directness and purity in its driving feel are admirable. The grip is phenomenal, pinning you into the seat during hard cornering, while the instant, relentless surge of 830 horsepower propels the Ferrari from 0-60 mph in under three seconds and to 124 mph in just over seven. On the long main straight, it effortlessly topped 180 mph, proving its supercar credentials beyond doubt.
It’s worth noting that under sustained, full-attack track driving, the battery can deplete, leading to a marginal power reduction of around 40-50 hp after several laps. This is a realistic limitation of current battery technology in such extreme applications, but for the vast majority of drivers on track days, the level of engagement and sheer physical exertion required to pilot the 296 GTB at such intensity means consecutive laps are rarely that numerous. The car is engaging and exhausting in the most wonderful sense.
The 296 GTB pushes responsiveness to new heights among Ferrari’s mid-engine berlinettas. The shorter wheelbase (two inches shorter than the F8 Tributo, a direct benefit of the more compact V6 engine) significantly enhances handling and chassis stiffness. It dances through corners with an eagerness that belies its power, behaving like a finely tuned race car, yet offering a level of forgiveness and safety that no pure competition machine could match. Thanks to sophisticated driver aids, staying away from CT-Off ensures the rear axle remains steadfast, even under aggressive trail braking.
Braking performance is another monumental strength. Ferrari’s new ABS Evo system, integrated with a 6w-CDS sensor measuring forces across six axes, delivers unparalleled stopping power and confidence. Few cars can match this prowess; perhaps only the Porsche 911 GT3 (updated to its 2025 iteration) comes close in terms of pure braking feel and control. But where the GT3 is a scalpel, the 296 GTB offers an intoxicating blend of precision and unadulterated fun. With the manettino set to CT-Off, the virtual leash on the rear axle loosens, allowing for perfectly controlled power slides, a testament to the advanced electronic differential and Side Slip Control. These systems empower the driver, turning prodigious power into an artistic expression of car control.
Away from the intense demands of the track, the 296 GTB reveals another facet of its broad personality. In a beautiful Rosso Imola finish and without the Assetto Fiorano package, it presents a subtle elegance. Flavio Manzoni’s design team has once again outdone themselves, crafting a form that is fresh, creative, and undeniably Ferrari, yet echoes the sensual rear fenders of the legendary 250 LM. This is an extremely complex design where form meticulously follows function, with every sculpted surface and air channel cleverly used to cool the braking system, manage the intense heat of the powertrain (up to 1,600° F behind the driver), and generate downforce without increasing drag. The active rear spoiler and diffuser flaps are aerodynamic marvels, seamlessly integrating into the design until needed.
On public roads, with the eManettino in eDrive, the 296 GTB glides silently, like a sophisticated starship. The 15-mile electric range is genuinely practical for urban commutes or quiet country drives. The standard car’s leather-rich interior is surprisingly comfortable, and the magnetorheological suspension offers a remarkably compliant ride for a supercar. The front trunk provides useful cargo space, making it a surprisingly viable option for weekend getaways. But with a flick of the manettino, the beast awakens, transforming mountain roads into a playground where 830 hp feels even more terrifying, the brakes even more aggressive, and the steering intimidatingly direct. It’s a dual personality executed to perfection.
Handing back the keys, my initial skepticism about hybridized supercars was not just dissolved; it was obliterated. The 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB is not merely a compromise for an electrified future; it is the future, and it’s exhilarating. It’s Ferrari’s greatest achievement in decades, boldly incorporating radically new ingredients to redefine what a plug-in hybrid supercar can be. This vehicle is a beacon for the premium automotive technology sector, proving that high-performance automotive engineering can embrace sustainability without sacrificing soul. It showcases that even in an evolving landscape dominated by electrification, Ferrari’s passion for creating unparalleled driving machines remains undimmed, leading the way for next-generation sports cars.
Are you ready to experience the pinnacle of hybrid supercar performance? Discover the groundbreaking Ferrari 296 GTB for yourself and witness how Maranello has masterfully blended electrification with pure driving emotion. Visit your nearest authorized Ferrari dealer today and ignite your passion for the future of exhilaration.
