First drive: 2023 Ferrari 296 GTS in Italy
Ferrari recently rolled out its blisteringly fast 296 GTB hybrid V6-powered supercar and – predictably enough – in its wheel-tracks comes the 296 GTS, which uses the same core ingredients as its sibling but adds alfresco (open-air) cruising capability to the mix.
Due on sale in the ME towards the end of the year (with pricing likely to start around the Dh1.4m mark), the new addition broadens the appeal of the V6 rocketship as it adds drop-top versatility without any noticeable compromises vis-à-vis the GTB.
Modifications made to handle extra weight
The transition to the open-topped format necessitated some extensive reengineering of the car, with the first step being to recoup some of the rigidity lost by lopping off the roof.
The main focus here was to strengthen the lower side sills and A- and B-pillars, but Ferrari’s boffins say this added only about 5 kg to the car, with the folding roof and its electrohydraulic mechanism adding another 65 kg.
Ferrari execs are cagey when prompted for a torsional rigidity figure vis-à-vis the GTB, divulging only that “the feeling is much the same” from behind the wheel. They add that the 296 GTS is around 0.8 sec slower around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track than the GTB, which posted a 1 min 21 sec lap (a time eclipsed only by the SF90 Stradale/Spider, 812 Competizione and LaFerrari).
The GTS’s insubstantial weight increase over the GTB meant it didn’t require the adoption of stiffer spring rates or antiroll bars, but the dampers have been recalibrated to compensate for the drop-top’s slightly different roll characteristics versus its coupe sibling.
The folding roof can be made to deploy or disappear in 14 sec at speeds of up to 45 kph, and housing it and all its ancillaries required a comprehensive redesign of the upper rear half of the car.
The GTS’s flying buttresses are connected by a transverse panel referred to as an ‘Air Bridge’, which, apart from being a nice visual element, also plays a role in managing the airflow over the rear of the car.
The GTS’s rump culminates in a shapely ‘Kamm Tail’ spoiler, and this is an active element that deploys at high speeds to contribute to 360 kg of downforce at 250 kph when the car is equipped with the optional Assetto Fiorano aero package.
As per the GTB, the GTS features a ‘tea-tray’ nestled under the front spoiler, and this element is a ground-effect device of sorts as it creates a low-pressure area under the car, which effectively sucks it to the road as speeds rise.
Engine specs
The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is visible through a glass cover, and the GTS’s rear-biased proportions are accentuated by lovely haunches that evoke imagery of the iconic 250 LM.
Somewhat unusually, the V6 is a wide-angle 120-degree unit, and one benefit of this layout is that it keeps the centre of gravity very low. The twin turbochargers are housed within the ‘Hot V’ of the engine, which makes for maximum thermal efficiency.
Ferrari’s powertrain engineers have repositioned the V6’s “Hot Tube” (an acoustic channel of sorts) to fully exploit the GTS’s open-top format, channelling more of the engine’s vocals to the cockpit, particularly when the roof is lowered.
Nestled between the V6 and the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is the MGU-K electric motor, which can provide an EV-only range of 25km, as well as propelling the car to 135 kph without the V6 kicking in.
The V6 and electric motor combine to kick out a stupefying 830 hp at 8000 rpm and 740 Nm at 6250 rpm. Given that the 296 GTS weighs a none-too-lardy 1540 kg (dry weight), performance is nothing less than electrifying.
Ferrari quotes a 0-100 kph split of 2.9 sec, 0-200 kph in 7.6 sec and a top speed of 330 kph, which places it among the elite in the hypercar segment.
Driving impressions
Our first drive of the 296 GTS commenced in the scenic Italian seaside town of Forte dei Marmi, with the final destination being Ferrari’s spiritual home of Maranello. Before setting off in the low-slung roadster, a few moments are required simply to eyeball the car from various angles.
There are those who suggest recent Ferraris have lost the sensual beauty of their ancestors, but that’s not the case here. At least to my eye, the delicacy of the 296 GTS’s voluptuous contours border on perfection. I clearly wasn’t alone here because many thumbs-up were flashed by bystanders and oncoming motorists during my stint in the car.
The drive route, too, was a thing of splendour as it took in the Passo dela Futa (Futa Pass), which is lovely ribbon of tarmac that stretches across the mountains between Florence and Bologna.
An almost 2 meter wide, 830 hp supercar and narrow mountain roads populated by gung-ho Italian drivers and bikers mightn’t seem like an optimal combo, but it mattered little. The 296 GTS simply devoured this terrain, covering ground not only at incredible pace, but also with such supreme grace.
The hybrid V6 powertrain is a mighty unit that doles out enormous dollops of grunt with seamless efficiency. There’s just the slightest flat spot low in the rev range but, from then on, the acceleration comes in an avalanche – all very progressive and manageable though.
The soundtrack is dominated largely by turbo whoosh, so even though Ferrari execs like to refer to this powertrain as a “little V12”, to my ears it falls some way short of the orchestral wail of the 812 Superfast.
The 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is superb. Whipcrack fast and responsive, each tug on the tactile carbon-fibre paddles brings an instant reward.
As per the SF90, the 296 GTB and GTS use a brake-by-wire system and, rather than instilling a sense of computerised remoteness, it’s quite the opposite. The brake pedal has excellent bite and progression, so there’s encouragement to exploit every last iota of retardation that the sizable (398mm front, 360mm rear) carbon-ceramic stoppers offer.
All in all, the 296 GTS imparts a sense of agility and light-footedness that I’ve experienced in less than a handful of cars. The closest thing that comes to mind is a Lotus Exige Sport 410 that I tested earlier this year.
Interior layout and features
The cabin of 296 GTS is typical of contemporary Ferraris, with a driver-centric dash layout that integrates a trio of display panels within the curved instrument pod.
The tacho dominates the instrument cluster, with a digital speed readout and gear display nestled within the rev counter. The satnav screen is tucked away to the right of the tacho, but you can toggle through a menu that enables the navigational screen to occupy the entire display.
Peer out beyond the delectable carbon-fibre/leather flat-bottomed steering wheel and your view of the road is framed by the prominent wheel arch bulges. This is a welcome contrast from some supercars (where you have zero view of the car forward of the windscreen), and it helps in accurately placing the Ferrari on narrow roads.
Gripes? I felt the seats could have done with a bit more side bolstering, and I couldn’t find a comfortable place to rest my left foot as the inward curve of the side-sill hemmed it in.
The Ferrari 296 GTS’s standard kit list is largely as per the GTB. Among its quota of goodies is cruise control with steering wheel controls, four-way power-adjustable leather seats, trip computer, six-speaker stereo, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, climate-control air-conditioning and 20-inch alloys.
Assetto Fiorano package
Buyers wanting to go a bit further can opt for the Assetto Fiorano package, which brings a weight saving of 8kg, while adding to the car’s downforce. The key component of this package is GT-racing-derived adjustable Multimatic dampers that are optimised for track use.
The Assetto Corsa option also includes a bespoke carbon-fibre aero kit at the front that adds 10kg of downforce, and there’s more weight-saving carbon-fibre used elsewhere on the interior and exterior. In addition, you can opt for special bi-colour livery inspired by the Ferrari 250 Le Mans if cruising anonymously in not your thing.
So, should you buy the Ferrari 296 GTS? The real question you need to ask is: can you afford it? If so, you can look forward to one of the most sublime experiences imaginable in anything with four wheels. Yes, it’s that good.
2023 Ferrari 296 GTS at a glance
Price: From Dh1.4m (estimate)
Available: End of year
Engine: Plug-in hybrid 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 830hp at 8000rpm
Torque: 740Nm at 6250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100kph: 2.9sec
0-200kph: 7.6sec
Top speed: 330kph+
UAE Ferrari dealer: Al Tayer Motors
Saudi Arabia Ferrari dealer: Fast Auto Technico
Comments
Humble Prince
Best Exotic brand bar none! – however would look even better with slightly lighter shade of Blu Corsa exterior paint (in low sunlite conditions) as well as round 3D tail lites like the F8 Spider, F8 Spider need this V6 Engine! Porsche’s Voodoo Blu another favorite exterior color mine