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2024 Ferrari 296GTB / 296GTS
Starting at: $342.205
Highs: Fantastic steering and brake feel, mellifluous hybrid V-6, makes novice drivers into heroes hot shoes.
Lows: Too many steering-wheel-mounted controls, forgettable infotainment system, has us buying lottery tickets.
Verdict: Ferrari figures out the formula to make a hybrid V-6 supercar that's faithful to its sacred performance philosophy.
Overview
Ferrari isn't afraid to try something new, as proven by the 296GTB and 296GTS, which pair a mid-mounted turbocharged V-6 with a-gasp!-electric motor. The resulting hybrid powertrain is not only wildly powerful, making a combined 819 horsepower, but it also sounds wonderfully melodic. Sure, the 296 doesn't belt out the same arias as the Italian automaker's high-revving V-8s and V-12s, but it nonetheless bodes well for a future when electrification is expected to become more common than internal combustion. If the 296 coupe (GTB) and convertible (GTS) are any indication, Ferrari hasn't forgotten how to make absolutely stunning sports cars that have you thinking you must be in automotive nirvana. The 296 GTB that we drove also confirmed that, even though it was laden with all manner of high-tech aids, it's still a phenomenal machine that drivers of all skill sets can exploit. It might not sound exactly like exotic Ferraris of old but as the 296 shows, new ingredients don't always ruin a famous recipe.
What's New for 2024?
For 2024, neither 296 variant sees any significant changes. The GTB coupe and the GTS convertible, the latter of which was added for the 2023 model year, carry over without any updates-not that they begged for any.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2024 Ferrari 296 starts at $342.205 and goes up to $375.950 depending on the trim and options.
296GTB: $342,205
296GTS: $375,950
The 296GTB and 296GTS's price tags make them unobtainable for most of us. However, if we could afford one, we'd opt for the coupe and tick the box for carbon-fiber wheels as well as the carbon-fiber Daytona seats. Then, we'd use the money saved from forgoing the top-down version to fund track days and road trips in the 296.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Behind the 296's cockpit lives a turbocharged V-6 that pairs with a plug-in-hybrid system. Together the gas engine and an electric motor combine to produce a whopping 819 horsepower that's sent exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Both coupe and convertible are capable of driving on electricity alone with power drawn from a 6.0-kWh battery pack located under the floor. The 8500-rpm redline provides a visceral driving experience, as we learned during our first drive of the 296GTB coupe; with the top down in the 296GTS, the feeling is even more heightened with the wind ruffling your hair at triple-digit speeds. We also experienced its exhilarating acceleration and the ability to easily probe the limits of its lofty performance. Along with four drive modes-eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify­-that provide ascending performance characteristics, the 296GTB features communicative electrically assisted power steering and a brake-by-wire system. If you want lighter wheels than the standard twin-spoke forged units, a set of rims made of carbon fiber are available.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the 296 is an exercise in elegant minimalism, except for the steering wheel. Its excessive controls create an ergonomic nightmare. Otherwise, the dashboard features an entirely digital interface that is derived from the SF90. The GTB's seats and various interior surfaces are covered with Italian leather that showcases the coupe's luxurious side. The center console contains a push-button shifter inspired by the gated manual Ferrari gearboxes of old. There's a small compartment for storing the GTB's ignition key on the center console, too. A head-up display is also discreetly integrated into the top of the dash. The interior of the GTS is said to be nearly identical to that of the GTB save for reworked seats and flaps designed to minimize buffeting when the top is down.
Read More www.caranddriver.com/ferrari/...