Ferrari 296 GTS: Defining the concept of driving thrills

The Ferrari 296 GTS, the latest evolution of Maranello’s mid-rear-engined two-seater Berlinetta Spider, premiered last month online. The 296 GTS flanks the 296 GTB in redefining the whole concept of fun behind the wheel. The car guarantees pure emotions not just when pushing it to its limits but also in day-to-day driving situations.

The 296 GTS uses the new 663 cv 120° V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 122 kW (167 cv), which debuted on the 296 GTB. This is the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road-going spider sporting the Prancing Horse badge. It unleashes its class-leading 830 cv total power output to deliver previously unthinkable performance levels and an innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack. Relish it with the top down for the ultimate driving experience.

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Ferrari 296 GTS – Explained

The car’s name combines its total displacement (2992 l) and the number of cylinders with the GTS (Gran Turismo Spider) acronym. The name underscores this new engine’s epoch-changing importance to Maranello in the finest Ferrari tradition. It is not simply the living, beating heart of the 296 GTS. It also ushers in a new V6 era that has its roots deep in Ferrari’s unrivalled 75-year history.

The very first Ferrari V6 featured a 65° architecture and debuted on the 1957 1500 cc Dino 156 F2 single-seater. 1958 saw larger displacement versions on the front-engined sports prototypes – the 196 S and 296 S – as well as the 246 F1 car, which powered Mike Hawthorn to the F1 Drivers’ Championship title the same year.

The 296 GTS’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system guarantees it is an incredibly usable car. It cuts pedal response times to zero and delivers a 25km range in all-electric eDrive mode. The car’s compact dimensions and the introduction of innovative, dynamic control systems, as well as meticulously honed aero, ensure that the driver instantly experiences astonishing agility and responsiveness to commands. Its sporty, sinuous design and highly compact dimensions also visually underscore its unique and modern forms. At the same time, it skillfully references the likes of the 1963 250 LM, the perfect marriage of simplicity and functionality.

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Overview

The RHT (retractable hardtop) guarantees exceptional occupant comfort. With the roof stowed, it features a sleek, sporty design. With the top up, the silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB. The lightweight RHT takes a mere 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45km/h.

The separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post. As a result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through which the new V6 is clearly visible. When the top is retracted, the cabin and the rear deck are separated by a height-adjustable glass rear screen which guarantees optimal passenger comfort even at high speeds.

As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, for clients who want to exploit the car’s extreme power and performance to the utmost, particularly on the track, the 296 GTS is also available with the Assetto Fiorano package, which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.