Ferrari 296 GTB in America: Why This Hybrid Supercar Feels Different

Ferrari’s 296 GTB isn’t just another fast Ferrari—it’s the V6 hybrid that’s quietly reshaping what a modern supercar feels like in US cities and on US tracks. Here’s what’s really changed behind the wheel.

Bottom line: If you think "hybrid" means compromise, the Ferrari 296 GTB exists to prove you wrong. It’s the first V6 plug-in hybrid Berlinetta from Maranello, and in US hands it’s being called one of the most exciting driver’s cars Ferrari has built in a decade.

Instead of chasing only top speed bragging rights, the 296 GTB focuses on feel: razor-sharp steering, outrageous plug?in hybrid punch, and a compact footprint that actually makes sense on US backroads and tight city streets. If you’re cross?shopping Lamborghinis, McLarens, or even a Porsche 911 Turbo S, this is the Ferrari that forces you to rethink your list.

What 296 GTB drivers need to know now…

Analysis: What's behind the hype

The 296 GTB is Ferrari’s pivot point: a mid?engine, rear?drive plug?in hybrid that mixes a compact 3.0?liter twin?turbo V6 with an electric motor and a small battery pack. On paper, that sounds clinical. On US roads and tracks, reviewers are calling it "Ferrari distilled."

Across recent tests from outlets like Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Top Gear, a consistent theme emerges: the 296 GTB feels smaller, more playful, and more intuitive than the V8 models it effectively replaces (F8 Tributo, we’re looking at you). The new V6 revs hard, the hybrid boost fills in any lag, and the whole car seems built around the driver instead of the spec sheet.

Key specs at a glance

Spec	Ferrari 296 GTB (US?spec)
Powertrain	3.0?liter twin?turbo V6 + single electric motor (PHEV)
Combined power output	Approx. 819 hp (over 610 kW) system output, rear?wheel drive
Transmission	8?speed dual?clutch automatic
0–60 mph (manufacturer / tested)	~2.8 sec (Ferrari claim; US tests broadly confirm sub?3?second launches)
Top speed	Over 205 mph (manufacturer figure)
Battery & EV range	Small plug?in battery; short all?electric range suitable for urban use (Ferrari focuses on performance, not long EV mileage)
Drive layout	Mid?engine, rear?wheel drive
Base price (US)	High?six?figure territory before options; real?world US builds often land well into the upper?six?figure range. Confirm current pricing with a US Ferrari dealer.
Seating	2 seats
Body style	Berlinetta (fixed?roof coupe); 296 GTS adds retractable hardtop

Note: Ferrari and US dealers periodically adjust pricing and options; always check current US offers for exact MSRP and availability.

Why the 296 GTB matters for US buyers

Ferrari has rolled out the 296 GTB to official dealers across North America, and US allocations are already spoken for in many major markets. In practice, that means if you’re in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Dallas, or Chicago, you’re likely to see 296 GTBs at local Cars & Coffee meets and track days this year—if you’re quick with your deposit.

For American buyers, the 296 GTB’s hybrid system isn’t about tax credits or efficiency badges. It’s about instant torque leaving a toll plaza, silent EV mode when you roll into your neighborhood late at night, and a drivetrain that still feels like a traditional Ferrari once you lean on it in Qualifying mode.

Critically, it remains rear?wheel drive. In a market where many super?hybrids go all?wheel drive to chase numbers, Ferrari decided to keep the purity of a rear?drive balance. US reviewers highlight this as the reason the car feels so alive on twisty canyon roads and technical circuits like Laguna Seca or VIR.

How it actually feels to drive

Scroll through recent US test drives on YouTube and the pattern is obvious: reviewers step out of the 296 GTB slightly wide?eyed. The words that keep coming back are "telepathic," "go?kart," and "Ferrari’s best steering in years."

The hybrid system adds serious shove without making the car feel bloated. The V6, despite losing two cylinders compared with the old V8s, has a sharp, high?pitched character that plenty of reviewers say is closer to a modern F1 car than the deeper growl of older Ferraris. Some purists on forums miss the classic V8 wail, but a lot of owners like that the car has its own sound identity.

On track, US outlets note that the 296 GTB delivers lap times on par with or better than the outgoing V8 supercars while remaining more approachable—especially on the limit. The braking regeneration is blended subtly enough that most drivers simply notice that they can brake later and harder without weird pedal feel.

Daily driver reality in the US

As a daily, the 296 GTB behaves better than the numbers suggest. The plug?in battery lets you creep out of a parking garage or pull away from your upscale neighborhood in near?silence. That matters in US cities with strict noise ordinances—or just picky HOAs.

Ride comfort, especially on cars equipped with the adaptive dampers and the "bumpy road" button, is surprisingly forgiving on typical American asphalt. Urban owners on social platforms mention that this is the first Ferrari they’ve felt comfortable using multiple times a week instead of only on weekend blasts.

You do still give up practicality. The front trunk is small, the cabin fits two and little else, and US highway visibility requires some adjustment. This is a focused machine, not a GT cruiser like a Roma or 812.

US options, packages, and what shoppers are actually choosing

In the US, most 296 GTB buyers aren’t ordering a "base" car. Popular choices, based on dealer reports and owner posts, include:

• Assetto Fiorano package – Track?oriented suspension tuning, aero tweaks, and weight savings. US reviewers note a sharper edge and more grip, but slightly firmer ride.
• Carbon?fiber interior and exterior packs – Both for aesthetics and a bit of weight reduction. Very common in US builds shown on YouTube and Instagram.
• Front axle lift – Essential if you live with steep US driveways or city speed bumps.
• Upgraded seats – From comfort?oriented to carbon?shell racing seats; many track?day?focused US drivers choose the latter.

Because Ferrari customization can push pricing dramatically, US owners frequently caution prospective buyers on forums: decide upfront whether you’re building a street?biased spec or a track toy. Cramming both personalities into one build can explode your budget without making the car better for your specific use case.

How it stacks up against key US rivals

In the American market, the Ferrari 296 GTB inevitably competes with:

• Lamborghini Huracán replacement / Revuelto (hybrid) – Typically all?wheel drive, more dramatic visually, but often described as less nuanced to steer.
• McLaren Artura – Another V6 hybrid, often compared directly to the 296 GTB. Many reviewers say the Ferrari feels more polished and emotional, at a higher price.
• Porsche 911 Turbo S – Slightly more usable, easier to live with, but less exotic and less special in terms of cabin theater and badge.

US testers tend to put the 296 GTB at or near the top of this segment in terms of pure driving excitement. Where rivals might edge it out is value, practicality, or straightforward power numbers, but the Ferrari counters with a uniquely integrated hybrid system and the emotional pull that only Maranello can still command.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Across US and global media, the Ferrari 296 GTB is being hailed as a turning point for hybrid supercars. Reviewers from major outlets highlight three things above all: the steering, the powertrain, and the way the car shrinks around you.

Pros frequently mentioned by experts:

• Stunning performance – Sub?3?second 0–60 mph capability with relentless, electrified mid?range punch.
• Bench?mark steering and handling – Many consider it one of Ferrari’s best?ever road cars to drive hard.
• Hybrid system that enhances, not dilutes – Electric power adds excitement and flexibility instead of feeling like an eco afterthought.
• Compact feel on US roads – Easier to place than some wide?body rivals, with confident behavior in canyons and on technical tracks.
• Distinctive design – A modern yet subtly retro shape that stands out even in cities packed with exotics.

Cons and caveats experts and owners flag:

• Price and options creep – US buyers routinely push final transaction prices far beyond the headline base figure once they start selecting packages.
• Learning curve with drive modes – eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualifying modes all behave differently; you need time to master them.
• Limited practicality – Tight cabin, small storage, and a focus on pure driving mean this isn’t a daily for everyone.
• New?tech complexity – As with any sophisticated PHEV supercar, long?term ownership may involve more expensive maintenance than a simpler, non?hybrid exotic.
• Sound character is different – Some V8 loyalists don’t instantly love the higher?pitched V6 hybrid note, even if it’s objectively thrilling.

Final takeaway for US shoppers: If you’re looking for a status symbol to cruise gently down Ocean Drive, you have plenty of choices. If you want the Ferrari that most reviewers say you’ll still crave driving at 6 a.m. on a random Tuesday, the 296 GTB is the one that keeps coming up in conversations—online, at dealerships, and on track?day pit lanes across the country.

Just be ready: the fastest?feeling Ferrari in the lineup right now is also one of the most addictive. Most US owners say that once you experience the mix of V6 scream and electric shove, going back to a non?hybrid supercar feels strangely old?school.