296 GTB Review
Discussion
I just had the opportunity to spend several days driving a 296 GTB in a variety of different conditions and wrote up a review on it. Overall the car is really good, perhaps the best mid engine Ferrari since the 430 Scuderia. Only major negative is the driver interface. Too much swiping and tapping. Hybrid system works really well.
Enjoyed the write up and comparison.
When my 812 was in for service a couple of months back I had a 296 for a few days.
Enjoyed it but soon was itching to get behind the wheel of the 812. Just don’t find the new hybrid Ferrari soul-stirring to a same degree, despite its effectiveness. Ticks all of the boxes 10 out of 10 on paper but not translating to a big enough long term feel good factor imo.
Given the high number of used vehicles hitting the dealers with significant early depreciation it appears I’m not the only one who feels like this (my pal at the golf club been offered £80k less than his purchase cost against the incoming spider on his 10 month old car).
The 812 is actually much more compact than it first seems. Only 2-3 inches longer than the 296 and actually more compact than a Roma. Think just feels intimidating at first as sitting so far back relative to the mid engined cars.
When my 812 was in for service a couple of months back I had a 296 for a few days.
Enjoyed it but soon was itching to get behind the wheel of the 812. Just don’t find the new hybrid Ferrari soul-stirring to a same degree, despite its effectiveness. Ticks all of the boxes 10 out of 10 on paper but not translating to a big enough long term feel good factor imo.
Given the high number of used vehicles hitting the dealers with significant early depreciation it appears I’m not the only one who feels like this (my pal at the golf club been offered £80k less than his purchase cost against the incoming spider on his 10 month old car).
The 812 is actually much more compact than it first seems. Only 2-3 inches longer than the 296 and actually more compact than a Roma. Think just feels intimidating at first as sitting so far back relative to the mid engined cars.
Edited by garystoybox on Thursday 14th September 23:06
Interesting. My dealer wanted me to have a GTB as a stop-gap before a GTS and I’m glad I didn’t since the GTS is where I want to be. Things have definitely moved on and while depreciation is not in the same league as Aston Martin or McLaren, it’s there, real and painful. I think since interest rates have increased, a few pigeons have come home to roost.
SSO said:
I just had the opportunity to spend several days driving a 296 GTB in a variety of different conditions and wrote up a review on it. Overall the car is really good, perhaps the best mid engine Ferrari since the 430 Scuderia. Only major negative is the driver interface. Too much swiping and tapping. Hybrid system works really well.
Agreed entirely on your assessment of that damn trackpad. Mutual hatred indeed.DeejRC said:
SSO said:
I just had the opportunity to spend several days driving a 296 GTB in a variety of different conditions and wrote up a review on it. Overall the car is really good, perhaps the best mid engine Ferrari since the 430 Scuderia. Only major negative is the driver interface. Too much swiping and tapping. Hybrid system works really well.
Agreed entirely on your assessment of that damn trackpad. Mutual hatred indeed.SSO said:
I just had the opportunity to spend several days driving a 296 GTB in a variety of different conditions and wrote up a review on it. Overall the car is really good, perhaps the best mid engine Ferrari since the 430 Scuderia. Only major negative is the driver interface. Too much swiping and tapping. Hybrid system works really well.
Really interesting you said that - my last Ferrari was a 430 Scud and have just bought a 296 GTB. I found the 296 feels alive - just like the scud - really playful. Can't wait to spend some proper time driving it as the weather improves!schaeffs said:
SSO said:
I just had the opportunity to spend several days driving a 296 GTB in a variety of different conditions and wrote up a review on it. Overall the car is really good, perhaps the best mid engine Ferrari since the 430 Scuderia. Only major negative is the driver interface. Too much swiping and tapping. Hybrid system works really well.
Really interesting you said that - my last Ferrari was a 430 Scud and have just bought a 296 GTB. I found the 296 feels alive - just like the scud - really playful. Can't wait to spend some proper time driving it as the weather improves!First decent drive in a couple of weeks as have been using my Portofino in the sunny weather. The 296 is so much smoother, quicker you really need to recalibrate your approach to driving, I’m wondering if Ferrari plan a Roma replacement with this powertrain? If so then I think I’d be sorely tempted by one.
Don't disagree with the above. However, they are longer, wider and lower than the 458. As I discovered when I tried to fit it in the space my 458 occupied. And being lower and wider (about 4 cm narrower than a Defender) they can be a bit buttock clenching on narrow twisty roads. Also, ingress and egress for the larger gentleman may not be dignified, OK with roof off (GTS). And if you are so minded and are over 6 ft tall, give it a good tryout if on comfort seats. Apart from all that, it's a brilliant car. Don't mind all the fuss about haptics, they are fine when you get used to them.
We’ve just finished our 10 day 2,500 mile Euro roadtrip in the 296- Uk to Swiss Alps, Italy for MilleMiglia then back to the UK via Le Mans. Car has been faultless, in bumpy road mode it simply glides on European roads.
We’ve done up to 750k a day in the carbon seats without any discomfort, gone over some huge speed humps (slowly) without grounding (without nose lift) and even got to grips with the haptics (not realised double touch, taps, swipes all do different things, including reconfiguring the dashboard). Finally got to grips with quali, race, hybrid and e drive modes. We’ve had nothing but positive excitement from all who saw it during our trip (especially in Italy). My 24 y/o son shared the driving and we had a lot of fun.
Luggage space for touring was very sufficient, we used a pair of Cabin Zero’s 42L soft carry on cases (no capacity lost to wheels and handles) and a couple of 18L bags to fill the trunk perfectly along with my son’s drone and a couple of jackets.
So, in summary, don’t keep your 296 as a garage queen - get it out and make the most of the summer weather, it’s an utterly superb GT.
We’ve done up to 750k a day in the carbon seats without any discomfort, gone over some huge speed humps (slowly) without grounding (without nose lift) and even got to grips with the haptics (not realised double touch, taps, swipes all do different things, including reconfiguring the dashboard). Finally got to grips with quali, race, hybrid and e drive modes. We’ve had nothing but positive excitement from all who saw it during our trip (especially in Italy). My 24 y/o son shared the driving and we had a lot of fun.
Luggage space for touring was very sufficient, we used a pair of Cabin Zero’s 42L soft carry on cases (no capacity lost to wheels and handles) and a couple of 18L bags to fill the trunk perfectly along with my son’s drone and a couple of jackets.
So, in summary, don’t keep your 296 as a garage queen - get it out and make the most of the summer weather, it’s an utterly superb GT.
Looks like a fantastic trip!
I read a lot about having to keep these hybrid Ferraris on charge. How did you manage charging whilst you were on tour? Did you need to park it with power / charger access each night or was the mileage you were doing sufficient to keep the battery topped-up?
I read a lot about having to keep these hybrid Ferraris on charge. How did you manage charging whilst you were on tour? Did you need to park it with power / charger access each night or was the mileage you were doing sufficient to keep the battery topped-up?
kith said:
Looks like a fantastic trip!
I read a lot about having to keep these hybrid Ferraris on charge. How did you manage charging whilst you were on tour? Did you need to park it with power / charger access each night or was the mileage you were doing sufficient to keep the battery topped-up?
If you put it in quali it self charges battery up to to 100% as you drive,if you put it in race it uses a mix of both ice and EV and maintains about 50% charge, if you put it in hybrid or e mode then it l’ll favour EV and use all the battery charge. So we used quali or race for the last few miles before parking.I read a lot about having to keep these hybrid Ferraris on charge. How did you manage charging whilst you were on tour? Did you need to park it with power / charger access each night or was the mileage you were doing sufficient to keep the battery topped-up?
On the Swiss mountains we had to ensure battery was empty by the top so car could recover energy on the way back down.
MingtheMerciless said:
Great review and great trip. I have some coming so will post here also. Also good to hear on haptics. I'm still not used to them totally.
Double tap on right turns them on : offSwipe left / right changes the dash set up
Long press back to main dash with apple car play on / as a small insert
Race mode keeps battery half charged
Great trip, everybody should get the chance to drive a Ferrari around Italy, did something similar in my SF90 AF, but with less luggage! Again, no lift, no problem. Love the Le Mans Classic, will stretch the F12 legs and head there, with considerably more luggage. Driving Season.
Edited by maura on Saturday 21st June 10:52
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