In the long history of "small" central-engined Ferrari Berlinettes, which began unofficially with the Dino 206 in 1967, the 296 undeniably embodies a breakthrough, certainly invisible to the layman but which is obvious to the connoisseur as soon as he reads the technical data sheet of the machine. The first “official” Ferrari with a six-cylinder engine, putting an end to more than four decades of V8 models, the car is also hybridized – not a first for Maranello, but in any case a new solution at this level of the range, which demonstrates the vitality of the brand and its desire to give in nothing on the front of innovation and the incredible pressures exerted against the automobile industry, in particular the one which, despite everything, is subject to still building a few thousand cars each year, as fascinating as they are useless. In our opinion, this is a big part of their appeal…
Thirty years of progress
Every time Ferrari presents something new, writers like me have to rack their brains to renew their stock of adjectives worthy of the work accomplished by the Italian firm, as each generation proves to be synonymous with very impressive progress. Particularly when it comes to entry-level models – a role long played by V8-engined Berlinettas which, from the 308 GTB of 1975 to the F8 Tributo of 2019, served as an entry point into the Ferrari universe. Today, it is the front-engined Roma coupe that holds the title of least expensive model; compared to this one, the 296 requires a significant financial effort but is not aimed at the same clientele in any case. We have to go back to the 348 tb, presented in 1989, to find a Ferrari not quite living up to its legend; since then, each new car – whether new models or more or less significant updates – has inevitably set a benchmark in its category, although it is admittedly not very populous. The 296 is no exception and, in all respects, is undeniably better than the late F8, whether we are interested in raw power, performance figures or the general behavior of the machine.
From V8 to V6
It must be said, some people – including the author of these lines – have a priori a little difficulty in assimilating the idea of a sports car (especially when it is called Ferrari) belonging to the family of hybrids, like the most trivial of family SUVs. Of course, you will tell me, environmental constraints and regulatory developments are the same for everyone and, therefore, everyone expected that one day or another a Ferrari thus rigged would leave the workshops from Maranello. The 296 is therefore a “battery” car, although nothing specifies this in its name. On the contrary, it revives an old nomenclature inaugurated by the Dino 206 then 246 (“296” thus means “2.9 liters – 6 cylinders) and unequivocally claims to have switched to the V6. In fact, downsizing had already taken its toll in 2015, when the 458 Italia became a 488, swapping its 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 for a 3902 cm3 supercharged unit, but this time, a new step has been taken with the 296 which, for the first time since 1985, returned to a displacement of less than 3 liters. Which does not prevent the available power from evolving (very) favorably!
Enough to reconcile with hybridization
Instead of the 720 hp developed by the eight-cylinder of the F8, we now find 830 – that is to say 15% more power (a giant step at this level), not to mention the maximum torque of 740 Nm… As you will have understood, however, these are data that should be put into perspective as for all hybrid models, to the extent that the electric machine which equips the 296 adds 167 units to the 663 hp delivered by the V6 twin-turbo. It is thanks to it that in “E-drive” mode, the car is able to move without emitting a single gram of CO2 and offers a range of 25 kilometers in all-electric mode – enough to be able to face the challenges with complete peace of mind. obsessed with punitive ecology, even if driving such a car without hearing anything other than the regulatory noise turns out to be somewhat destabilizing (but we get used to it). To put an end to green washing, the smallest of the Ferrari Berlinettas can even reach 135 km/h in these conditions – but, as you can imagine, this is not the most attractive of its characteristics. In the three other driving modes available (“Hybrid”, “Performance” or “Qualify”), electrification ceases to be a specious alibi to become an ally, its contribution to the times achieved by the 296 not being deniable !
You won't resist it
With a maximum speed of 330 km/h and, above all, a 0 to 200 in 7.3 seconds, the car easily erases the slight excess weight (plus 35 kg) that it has compared to the F8. This is evidenced by the time achieved on the Nordschleife last June, falling below the symbolic bar of 7 minutes per lap (for a production Ferrari, this is definitely a first!). Available as a GTB Berlinette or GTS spider, the 296 profoundly renews its design compared to the F142 family that appeared in 2009 with the 458. Always more oriented towards aerodynamic efficiency (air inlet at the front and spoiler at the rear). rear, both active), the style of the machine has however lost in aggressiveness compared to its predecessors. More compact, slightly more compact (the wheelbase has lost five centimeters), the car remains immediately identifiable as a Ferrari and contains subtle references to the history of the firm, without ever appearing outdated. Its architecture is evident from the outset and places it in the continuity of a long history. If, like me, you had regrets about abandoning the V8, all you had to do was get behind the wheel to forget them in a few kilometers. Devilishly accomplished, terribly fast and disconcertingly easy to handle, the 296 knows how to adapt to the skills of its driver and has no real fault except, of course, that damn cable that you have to think about plugging in. sometimes. Nobody is perfect…