The 296 GTB: Redefining Hybrid Supercar Excellence for 2025
The automotive landscape of 2025 stands at a pivotal juncture, a fascinating convergence of raw performance and a burgeoning embrace of sustainable technologies. For over a decade, my work has immersed me in this dynamic shift, observing countless manufacturers grapple with the integration of electrification into their core identities. While many have offered plug-in hybrids as a cautious step towards an all-electric future, few have truly elevated the concept beyond a mere compromise. Enter the Ferrari 296 GTB—a machine that, even three years post-launch, remains a benchmark, a visceral testament to what “hybrid done right” truly means for the luxury sports car segment.
I’ve driven my share of so-called performance plug-in hybrids, and frankly, many felt like a clumsy marriage of two disparate intentions. Often, they’re burdened by excessive weight, compromised cabin space, and a perpetual struggle to harmonize their internal combustion engine (ICE) with an underwhelming electric counterpart. The promise of significant electric-only range rarely materializes in real-world driving, leaving you with a heavy, complex car that still relies predominantly on fossil fuels. This frustration was a common thread until I experienced the Ferrari 296 GTB. It wasn’t Ferrari’s first foray into electrification—that honor belongs to the legendary LaFerrari, followed by the groundbreaking SF90 Stradale. But the 296 GTB, in its role as the foundation for Ferrari’s future core sports car lineup, distinguishes itself as something profoundly different, a template for the next generation of high-performance hybrid vehicles.
A New Heartbeat: The “Piccolo V12” V6 Revolution
For generations, Ferrari’s mid-engine berlinettas were synonymous with sonorous, high-revving V8s. The F8 Tributo, with its iconic turbocharged V8, felt like the pinnacle of that lineage. To suggest a V6 could not only replace but improve upon that legacy seemed audacious. Yet, in 2025, the 296 GTB’s hybridized 3.0-liter V6 doesn’t just fill those shoes; it sets a new standard for V6 twin-turbo hybrid engineering.
Ferrari’s Tipo F163 V6 is not merely an engine; it’s a masterpiece of modern automotive engineering. Boasting a staggering 663 hp from its compact combustion unit, achieving an industry-leading 221 hp/liter, it’s a testament to Maranello’s relentless pursuit of power density. When combined with the Formula 1-derived MGU-K electric motor, the total system output surges to an astonishing 830 hp. This figure, identical to the limited-production 812 Competizione, underlines the 296 GTB’s elite standing within the Ferrari hierarchy and its position as a contender for the best hybrid supercars 2025 list.
The innovation doesn’t stop at raw numbers. The engineers’ decision to increase the angle between the cylinder banks from 90 to 120 degrees created space within the “hot vee” configuration, allowing the twin IHI turbochargers to be nestled centrally. This design choice, first seen in Ferrari’s F1 cars of the early ’80s and now a signature of cutting-edge automotive engineering, dramatically improves thermal management, fluid dynamics, and volumetric efficiency. The result is not just enhanced performance but also a significant reduction in emissions—a critical factor in 2025’s stringent regulatory environment. The use of a sophisticated combustion chamber, derived from the SF90 Stradale, featuring a centrally mounted fuel injector operating at an immense 350 bar (5,076 psi), further refines the combustion process for both power and purity.
What truly differentiates this V6, however, is its character. Often, smaller turbocharged engines can feel somewhat muted, lacking the theatricality expected from a Prancing Horse. Not so with the 296 GTB. The engineers meticulously crafted a unique crankshaft, more compact and lighter than its V8 predecessors, with connecting rods precisely spaced at 120 degrees. This required a balance shaft but unexpectedly unlocked a new auditory signature. At low revs, there’s a deep, resonant rumble reminiscent of earlier turbocharged V8s. Push the accelerator, and that bass quickly gives way to an immersive, high-frequency soprano. This isn’t digital trickery; it’s genuine acoustic purity, further enhanced by Ferrari’s “tubo caldo” (hot tube) system, which channels the most desirable exhaust notes directly to the cabin. It’s no wonder the development team affectionately dubbed it the “piccolo V12.”
Electrification as an Enhancement, Not an Apology
The hybrid powertrain integrates seamlessly with the phenomenal 8-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission, co-developed with Magna. Sandwiched between the engine and gearbox is a compact yet potent axial flux motor from British specialist YASA. This disc-shaped unit provides an additional 167 hp and 232 lb-ft of instant torque, transforming the powertrain into a holistic, intelligent system. While Ferrari doesn’t publicly quote combined torque figures, the experience behind the wheel confirms the profound synergy between electric and combustion power delivery.
Powering this electric component is a 7.45 kWh battery, small by general plug-in hybrid standards, but perfectly optimized for its role in a performance hybrid vehicle. It provides a modest but useful 15 miles of electric-only range, allowing for discreet urban commuting or quiet exits from residential areas. Charging from a 6-kW wall charger takes over two hours, but the V6 is far more efficient at replenishing the battery on the fly, ensuring that the electric boost is always available when needed. Crucially, despite the added complexity and mass of the hybrid system—a considerable 287 lbs. over the F8’s V8—Ferrari’s engineers achieved an astounding feat of weight management. The 296 GTB tips the scales at just 3,241 lbs. dry, a mere 77 lbs. heavier than the F8 and identical to its predecessor, the 488 GTB. This dedication to lightness is foundational to its dynamic brilliance.
Track Dominance: The Assetto Fiorano Unleashed
My first true immersion into the 296 GTB’s capabilities came on the track, piloting a striking yellow model equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. This isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade; it’s a comprehensive suite designed to unleash the car’s full potential. It includes bespoke aerodynamic enhancements, a GT-class passive Multimatic suspension system, competition-spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2R tires, a Lexan rear screen, and extensive use of carbon fiber components, shedding an additional 26 lbs. It’s an investment, adding close to $40,000 to the already substantial base price, but for the discerning track enthusiast, it’s arguably indispensable.
Inside the cockpit, Ferrari’s commitment to “the young” is evident in the thoroughly modernized Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Traditional analog gauges have given way to a sweeping, curved digital screen, replete with sci-fi graphics. The steering wheel, a hub of haptic switchgear, controls a multitude of functions. While this futuristic approach certainly aligns with the future of supercars, as a veteran of driver-focused interiors, I admit a certain fondness for more tactile, intuitive controls. The turn-signal buttons and the open shift gate imitation, while stylishly referencing the past, can be less ergonomic in the heat of the moment. However, these are minor quibbles in a cabin that otherwise exudes purpose-built athleticism.
The steering wheel hosts not one, but two manettinos. The right-hand dial remains familiar: Wet, Sport, Race, CT-Off (traction control off), and ESC-Off (stability control off). The new left-hand “eManettino” manages the electric power delivery: eDrive for full electric up to 84 mph, default Hybrid for seamless power blending, Performance favoring the ICE while maintaining battery charge, and Qualify, unleashing every available horse to the rear wheels.
Selecting Race and Qualify, I ventured onto the circuit. Any prior intellectual wrestling with the 296 GTB’s complexity vanished within the first straight, braking zone, and corner. This car is brutally, gloriously fast. The 830 horsepower catapults it to 62 mph in under three seconds and 124 mph in just over seven. On Monteblanco’s main straight, which is by no means endless, the 296 GTB easily surpassed 180 mph.
The grip is nothing short of phenomenal, generating lateral forces that can literally pull blood from your head. Braking performance, enhanced by the new ABS Evo system working in conjunction with a sophisticated 6w-CDS sensor, is equally astounding. I’ve only encountered similar braking prowess in the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3, but the Ferrari offers something more: an unparalleled sense of engagement and joy. The 296 GTB pushes responsiveness to new heights among Ferrari’s mid-engine berlinettas, a direct benefit of the shorter wheelbase afforded by the compact V6. Even with its sophisticated driver aids, including the renowned Side Slip Control and electronic differential, the car offers a level of forgiveness that belies its extreme performance. Venturing into CT-Off mode, I discovered a virtual leash that allowed for utterly controllable power slides, a testament to the seamless integration of its electronic systems.
A brief note on sustained track performance: Ferrari engineers candidly shared that the full 830 hp is available for the initial several “full-attack” laps, after which output might decrease by 40-50 hp as the battery depletes. Realistically, for most drivers on a track day, the sheer intensity and physical demands of driving the 296 GTB at its limit mean few will string together enough consecutive laps to notice this temporary reduction.
Road Manners and Design Philosophy: A Study in Duality
After the track session, I transitioned to a standard 296 GTB, finished in a stunning Rosso Imola, for a drive on public roads. Without the Assetto Fiorano package, the car reveals its other dimension: one of surprising elegance and subtle aggression. Flavio Manzoni’s design team has once again excelled, crafting a form that is both fresh and unmistakably Ferrari. While some early official photos didn’t fully capture its essence, in person, the 296 GTB is a masterclass in modern Ferrari design.
There’s a surprising, yet welcome, nod to the iconic 250 LM in its sensual rear fenders, but the 296 GTB largely carves its own path with dramatically clean surfaces. Beneath this aesthetic purity lies an astonishingly complex interplay of form and function. Airflow is meticulously managed to cool the dual powertrains (which can generate temperatures up to 1,600° F behind the driver) and generate significant downforce without increasing drag. The active rear spoiler, reminiscent of the LaFerrari’s, deploys at higher speeds, but otherwise remains discreetly hidden, maintaining the elegant horizontal bar of the rear lights. Additional active flaps within the diffuser further refine its aerodynamic profile.
On winding mountain roads, the 296 GTB truly showcased its remarkable duality. In eDrive mode, it motors along with an almost unnerving quietness, a veritable “Starship Enterprise” experience. The stated 15-mile electric range felt entirely viable, and the standard magnetorheological suspension proved remarkably forgiving, soaking up imperfections with grace. The leather-rich interior of this non-Assetto Fiorano model felt cozy and comfortable, and the front trunk offered genuinely useful cargo space—a subtle nod to its GT capabilities.
But with a flick of the manettinos, the beast awakens. On an empty stretch of asphalt, the acceleration transitions from a “nervous smile” to “jaw-on-the-floor” terror. The 830 hp feels even more potent on narrow roads, the brakes even more aggressive, and the steering intimidatingly direct. It’s a force of nature, thrilling and demanding in equal measure. This is where the 296 GTB truly shines as an exotic car, seamlessly blending daily usability with unadulterated supercar performance.
The Future is Hybrid, and Ferrari is Leading
Handing back the keys, I felt a familiar cocktail of exhilaration and relief. My initial skepticism about another plug-in hybrid, particularly one meant to be the cornerstone of Ferrari’s core lineup, had been utterly obliterated. The 296 GTB is not just Ferrari’s greatest achievement in decades; it’s a profound statement about the future of supercars. It boldly embraces radical new ingredients—a V6, a sophisticated hybrid system, advanced electronics—and masterfully integrates them to create a driving experience that is not only uncompromised but actively enhanced.
In 2025, as the world steadily marches towards electrification, the 296 GTB proves that Ferrari can lead the charge, redefining what’s possible in the interim era. It’s a testament to innovation, emotion, and the enduring passion that defines Maranello. For anyone who believes that the pure, unadulterated joy of driving a Ferrari is immutable, even in an electrified world, the 296 GTB offers a resounding, high-frequency answer.
Ready to experience the pinnacle of Ferrari hybrid technology for yourself? Explore the groundbreaking Ferrari 296 GTB at your nearest authorized dealership and join the next chapter of automotive legend.
