Ferrari 296 GTB: The Hybrid Supercar That Changes Everything
23.02.2026 - 06:35:34 | ad-hoc-news.de
Bottom line: If you think "hybrid" means compromise, the Ferrari 296 GTB is designed to prove you wrong. It delivers ferocious V6 performance, silent EV creep through your neighborhood, and daily?usable tech in a package that still feels every inch like a classic mid?engine Ferrari.
You get 819 hp, plug?in electric range, and a cockpit stuffed with digital tricks – without sacrificing the spine?tingling engine note or razor?sharp steering you expect. Its a car built for US roads, US emissions rules, and US buyers who want supercar drama without giving up modern efficiency.
What users need to know now: this is the car that quietly ushers Ferrari into its next era, and in person it feels far more intense than the "hybrid" label suggests.
Explore the official Ferrari 296 GTB details straight from Maranello
Analysis: Whats behind the hype
The Ferrari 296 GTB is Ferraris first mid?engine, rear?wheel?drive V6 plug?in hybrid, and for the US market it lands as a bridge between brutal track specials and the everyday 612 and F8 tributo crowd. Multiple US?focused reviews from outlets like Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Top Gear US?spec tests agree on one thing: this is not a science experiment. Its a full?blown supercar that just happens to have a charging port.
Owners and test drivers talk less about fuel economy and more about the way the 296 GTB feels alive at any speed. The electric motor doesnt just fill torque gaps; it actively sharpens the throttle and makes the car lung forward in a way that feels more like a turbo F1 car than a quiet eco hybrid. In US cities, the EV mode lets you roll out of your driveway in stealth mode, then call up the full soundtrack once youre clear of the neighborhood.
| Key Spec | Ferrari 296 GTB (US?spec, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3.0L twin?turbo V6 + rear electric motor (plug?in hybrid) |
| Combined output | Around 819 hp (system output) |
| Drivetrain | Rear?wheel drive, 8?speed dual?clutch automatic |
| 00 mph | Roughly 2.9 seconds (manufacturer claim) |
| Top speed | Over 200 mph (claimed) |
| Electric range | Short EV?only range (enough for low?speed urban use) |
| Base price (US) | High six?figure range in USD before options (dealer?quoted) |
| Body style | Two?seat berlinetta (fixed?roof coupe); GTS version adds retractable hardtop |
| Market availability | Available via authorized Ferrari dealers across the US; long waitlists in major cities |
How the hybrid system actually feels on US roads
On paper, the hybrid layout sounds like an engineering diagram. In practice, US testers report that the 296 GTB feels more intuitive than the tech brochure suggests. You choose between modes with the steering wheel manettino: full EV for quiet creeping through traffic, hybrid for everyday driving, and performance modes where the V6 and e?motor work together at full fury.
Reviews from American circuits like Laguna Seca and private tracks in Florida highlight how the instant torque from the electric motor erases turbo lag. Theres power everywhere in the rev range, and the dual?clutch gearbox bangs home shifts with the rapid?fire precision Ferrari is known for. Drivers say you quickly forget that any electricity is involved; it just feels like the most responsive V6 Ferrari has ever built.
Steering, handling, and that classic Ferrari feel
One of the biggest questions from Ferrari traditionalists in the US was: can a heavier hybrid still dance like a classic mid?engine V8? Early comparison tests and long?term reviews say yes. The 296 GTBs steering is deliberately light but incredibly accurate, letting you place the car with millimeter precision on a canyon road or a fast sweeper.
Ferraris electronic driver aids from the e?Diff to traction and stability systems tuned around the hybrid powertrain are widely praised for staying in the background until you really lean on them. US journalists note that on track the car feels playful, not clinical, and is willing to rotate under power if you know what youre doing. On the street, those same systems add a layer of calm to what is otherwise an extremely rapid machine.
Interior tech and comfort for US buyers
Inside, the 296 GTB uses Ferraris latest fully digital cockpit: no central touchscreen dominating the dash, but driver?centric displays and capacitive touch controls spread across the steering wheel and dash. Some US reviewers love the F1?inspired feel; others point out that the touch surfaces have a learning curve, especially when youre bouncing over imperfect American pavement.
Where it lands well for US consumers is the mix of Apple CarPlay support, configurable instruments, and surprisingly usable storage for a mid?engine exotic. Youre not buying this car to road?trip across the country, but owners in LA, Miami, and New York report that its comfortable enough for daily commuting or weekend runs, especially compared to older, louder Ferraris.
US availability and pricing reality check
In the US, the Ferrari 296 GTB is sold through Ferraris authorized dealer network, with most major metro areas having at least one point of sale. Demand is strong enough that, according to dealer chatter and US automotive press, you should expect a waiting list and significant lead times if youre ordering a new build with your preferred options and colors.
Official US pricing can vary depending on specification, and Ferrari traditionally keeps full configuration numbers within its dealer ecosystem. Broadly, youre looking at a high six?figure starting price in USD before options and taxes. Paint?to?sample finishes, carbon packs, and the sought?after Assetto Fiorano handling package can drive the final sticker substantially higher. For many US buyers, the 296 GTB ends up priced squarely in the same territory as high?end McLaren and Lamborghini models, as well as some high?spec Porsche GT cars.
How it compares in the US supercar landscape
Compared with rivals like the McLaren Artura (another hybrid V6) and the non?hybrid Lamborghini Huracán, US reviewers consistently point out that the Ferrari 296 GTB feels more cohesive and more special inside. The powertrain integration is smoother than early Artura builds, and the cabin materials and sense of occasion lean heavily in Ferraris favor.
Against turbocharged and naturally aspirated competitors from Porsche, such as well?optioned 911 Turbo S and GT3 RS models, the 296 GTB isnt the rational choice. Its louder in character, more extroverted in styling, and demands more attention in every way. But for the core US Ferrari audience, that drama is the point.
Want to see how it performs in real life? Check out these real opinions:
What the experts say (Verdict)
Across US and global outlets, the consensus is remarkably aligned: the Ferrari 296 GTB is one of the most exciting modern Ferraris, full stop. Car and Driver, Road & Track, and other respected publications highlight its combination of ferocious acceleration, communicative chassis, and accessible hybrid tech as a new benchmark for the brand.
Pros often highlighted by experts:
- Stunning performance: Hybrid system delivers instant, brutal acceleration with a soundtrack that still feels authentically Ferrari.
- Engaging handling: Sharp steering, playful balance, and sophisticated electronics that support rather than smother the driver.
- Hybrid done right: Electric mode is genuinely useful for city use, without diluting the cars character when you push hard.
- Next?gen interior: Digital cockpit, advanced driver modes, and modern connectivity aimed at tech?savvy US buyers.
- Design: Compact, sculpted proportions that nod to classic V6 Ferraris while looking properly futuristic.
Cons and cautions frequently mentioned:
- Price and options: High base price in USD, with popular options pushing real?world cost much higher.
- Touch controls: Some reviewers find the capacitive buttons fiddly, especially on bumpy American roads.
- Limited EV range: Electric mode is useful but short?range; this is not a commuter EV.
- Practicality: Storage and ride comfort are good for a Ferrari, but still limited compared with less exotic sports cars.
- Availability: Strong demand and constrained production mean wait times and potential dealer markups in certain US markets.
For US enthusiasts who care as much about the future of performance as they do about the next canyon run, the Ferrari 296 GTB is a statement piece. It proves that electrification in Maranello doesnt mean compromise; it means new ways to go faster, more of the time, with a layer of real?world usability that older Ferraris simply couldnt match.
If youre cross?shopping the current crop of supercars and want something that feels undeniably modern without giving up the analog thrill, the expert verdict is clear: the 296 GTB deserves a spot at the top of your test?drive list provided you can secure a build slot, and youre ready for the price of entry.
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