The Ferrari 296 GTB’s Powertrain Is Downsizing and Electrification Done Right

When rumors surfaced that Ferrari’s lineup is set to welcome a new member, many enthusiasts were expecting the Purosangue SUV capable of rivaling the Lamborghini Urus. While this will eventually happen, the latest model is a breathtaking weapon that adds to the carmaker’s electrified sports car arsenal.

Designed by Maranello’s own Centro Stile under the watchful eye of Flavio Manzoni, the 296 GTB is a modern reinterpretation of the mid-rear engine berlinetta grand tourers built in the 1960s and 1970s that were marketed under the Dino nameplate.

Even if beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, it’s hard not to agree that the new car is absolutely gorgeous from every angle you look at it. However, it’s not all about looks as it features a highly potent plug-in hybrid powertrain at the heart of which lies a new six-cylinder masterpiece.

Displacing 3.0 liters, the engine employs a 120-degree V-layout, which allowed engineers to place the symmetric, counter-rotating turbochargers centrally between the cylinder banks. This means that compressed air makes its way into the combustion chamber a lot faster, boosting fluid dynamics and the efficiency of the intake and exhaust line ducts. Furthermore, this so-called hot-vee architecture improves weight distribution and results in a far more compact unit.

Purists might disagree with Ferrari’s decision to downgrade to six cylinders, but this is still a heck of a powerplant. It uses the same 5,000-psi injection system as the SF90’s V8, while the turbos include a smaller compressor wheel and turbine rotor that reduce rotational inertia and lag, allowing the cutting-edge snails to rev to 180,000 rpm.

On its own, the engine can produce 654 hp (488 kW) and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque, meaning that it achieves a power density of 219 hp per liter—a figure that is still impressive, even if forced induction is utilized.

We were also told that countless hours were spent refining the exhaust system to produce a high-pitch sound that should rival what we normally hear from a naturally aspirated V12. While I seriously questioned that, the sound sample provided on Ferrari’s official website convinced me that this statement is not an exaggeration.

The manufacturer also realized that 650 ponies might not be enough these days, so they added a Formula 1-inspired MGU-K dual-rotor unit capable of delivering an additional 165 hp (123 kW) and 232 lb-ft (314 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels. It also enables the 296 GTB to be driven solely on electric power for 16 miles (25 km) at speeds up to 84 mph (135 kph) and draws energy from a small 7.5 kWh battery pack.

Combined, the engine and electric unit spit out 818 hp (610 kW), a healthy dose of raw power that is transmitted to the wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. The official combined torque figure hasn’t been disclosed yet, but performance-wise, Ferrari states that the new model can sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) from a standstill in 2.9 seconds and reach a maximum speed of over 210 mph (338 kph).

Even for a die-hard gearhead who doesn’t like the idea of sports cars with downsized engines and electric motors, the 296 GTB and its 818-hp PHEV powertrain are impressive enough to (reluctantly) embrace the era of electrification. The performance figures are outstanding, while the design makes it one of the most beautiful cars built in recent years, at least in my opinion.

The exact release date or price hasn’t been revealed yet, but we’re expecting it to hit the streets sometime next year, demanding well over $300,000.