New 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB launched with 819bhp V6 hybrid powertrain

This is the new Ferrari 296 GTB, the Italian brand’s entry-amount supercar to sit under the F8 Tributo and a rival to the not long ago unveiled plug-in hybrid McLaren Artura.

The 296 GTB is also the initial six-cylinder highway car from Ferrari since the Dino 246 GT was introduced back in 1974 – and it can be bristling with technology created to deliver stunning effectiveness with as tiny an environmental effects as feasible.

Ferrari has not but confirmed a United kingdom-specific price for the 296 GTB. In mainland Europe, prices will start from €269,000 which interprets to around £230,000 underneath the latest exchange fee. Remaining-hand push styles will get to buyers in Spring 2022, with United kingdom automobiles envisioned later on in the yr.

We’ll start off with the powertrain. It’s a plug-in hybrid technique based mostly all-around a twin-turbocharged two.nine-litre V6, which produces a overall of 819bhp and 740Nm of torque. Ferrari says that’s more than enough for a -62mph time of two.nine seconds and a leading pace of extra than 205mph.

The V6 is a thoroughly clean-sheet structure, far too. It has a 120-degree V-angle, which can help permit for the “hot-vee” turbocharger configuration, with the compressors mounted in the valley established by the V6’s two cylinder banking companies. Ferrari says this improves effectiveness, even though also decreasing the supercar’s centre of gravity, which advantages handling.

As an aside, Ferrari also boasts that its new V6 device has the highest distinct output of any output engine at this time on sale. Devoid of electrical aid, the device produces 654bhp, which interprets to 218bhp for every litre of displacement.

For comparison, the prior file holder was the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S incredibly hot hatchback, which mustered 208bhp for every litre from its turbocharged two.-litre 4-cylinder engine.

What is extra, compared with most outrageously impressive hybrid supercars, (these kinds of as the Porsche 918 Spyder and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale), the 296 GTB is rear-wheel push only. It only has one electric powered motor, which is sandwiched among the engine and an 8-pace automatic gearbox.

In an work to make the car as nimble as feasible, Ferrari has also fitted a rather tiny 7.45kWh battery pack, which offers a most pure-electric powered range of 25km (all-around 15 miles). 

New 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB: chassis and platform

To control the engine’s enormous electrical power, the 296 GTB’s chassis is bursting with technology, these kinds of as fly-by-wire brakes and magnetically controlled adaptive dampers. Ferrari has also slashed the car’s wheelbase by 50mm in comparison with prior mid-engined berlinettas, which it says has improved its cornering ability, built feasible partly by the shorter engine.

In reality, the new V6 engine really should have a big effects on the 296 GTB’s handling, as it’s 30kg lighter than Ferrari’s outdated 3.nine-litre V8 device. The entire car weighs just 1,470kg, and even though that’s 75kg extra than the McLaren Artura (which employs a carbon fibre chassis), the 296 GTB’s 148bhp electrical power edge really should extra than make up the big difference.

There is also a new six-way chassis dynamic sensor and the latest traction control software package, which is fitted with the most modern edition of Ferrari’s Aspect Slip Handle technique. The software package usually takes inputs from the chassis sensors and can estimate the amount of grip at the rear tyres to present just more than enough aid to continue to keep the car in a controlled slide.

For a extra focussed working experience, Ferrari also offers an optional Assetto Fiorano package which bumps up the rate-tag to €302,000 (roughly £260,000) and provides extra carbon fibre trim, tougher GT racing-derived shock absorbers and some redesigned panels, which end result in a 12kg pounds reduction.

Customers can also specify a pair of optional extras with the Assetto Fiorano package deal, such as a livery inspired by the common Ferrari 250 Le Mans, Michelin Pilot Activity Cup two R tyres and a light-weight Lexan rear screen, which hacks an added 3kg off the car’s kerbweight.

Lurking beneath the 296 GTB’s panels is a network of air channels and ducts, such as Ferrari’s “tea-tray” splitter, which pushes air underneath the car’s nose towards the GTB’s intense rear diffuser.

There is also an energetic rear spoiler which pops out of the rear deck and supplies 100kg of downforce on its personal. In overall, Ferrari says the 296 GTB can make 360kg of downforce at 155mph when geared up with the Assetto Fiorano package deal.

New 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB: interior structure

The 296 GTB’s cabin is an evolution of the principle launched with the SF90 Stradale. The two automobiles share the very same amount of technology, but Ferrari says its designers aimed to give the GTB’s interior a extra innovative, minimalist visual appearance.

As a end result, the centre console shares the very same modern day interpretation of the common H-gate shifter found on the SF90, despite the fact that the dashboard has couple of creases and vents. Even so, Ferrari has retained the very same driver-focussed lighting and climate controls panels on both side of the instrument cluster.

The steering wheel functions all the usual Ferrari trinketry, these kinds of as the trademark manettino push method selector, paddle shifters and buttons for the indicators. The passenger-side dashboard also gets an added exhibit, which reveals details such as engine revs, pace and the latest equipment.

In the future 4 several years, the Ferrari 296 GTB will be joined by the company’s initial EV and the Purosangue SUV. All three automobiles will be important pillars of the Italian brand’s electrification technique – and it’s feasible that the Purosangue could use the very same hybrid V6 engine as the 296.

What does the new Ferrari 296 GTB have to conquer? Check out out our leading ten listing of the greatest supercars on sale by clicking listed here