It’s just what they say when driving a Ferrari in Italy: Eʋerybody, and I mean eʋerybody, stop and stare. From old guys who have seen them coming from Maranello since the 50s to young schoolgirls who don’t care about cars and everyone in between. They’re not looking because you look cool – they’re admiring the pinnacle of national pride you’re displaying, an incentive that pushes you away from a warm welcome.
From my position in the cockpit, I like to recall what 296 GTS fans are seeing: The front, wide-mouthed LaFerrari with aerodynamics at the rear, an improvement of what was found in that supercar; In the middle, it aggressively forces air into the large air intakes in front of the rear wheels, perfectly reminiscent of the 250 Le Mans from 1963. This special 296 GTS is finished in Blu Corsa, a metallic color The sparkle perfectly matches the almost white (Ferrari calls it SaɄbia) interior. I’m located just outside Iмola, but the surroundings make it easy to feel like a modern-day Don Johnson in Miami Beach.
With its retractable hardtop (and indeed, on any good day, it would be difficult to lift it), the eye fills the contours of the 296 GTS silhouette which is almost a triangle perfect. However awkward it was, perhaps through sheer force of will, it worked. But that’s not what you see from the inside, and that’s not what they see from the outside – not really. They only see “Ferrari” if they see anything at all, because their brains are too busy hearing the sound of the thing – which actually makes a Ferrari “Ferrari.”
Being a Ferrari, the engine is very loud on start-up – if you’re not already attracting a crowd, you will do so when you press the button on the steering wheel. It’s arguably better from the inside, where all the right noises reach your ears, including whirring sounds, overpressure releases, and the odd “pop” of the garbage disposal-like door opening. a bottle of champagne just creates an altogether more capital experience.
Of course, the problem isn’t just the engine. Sandwiched between the V6 engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is an electric motor with a maximum output of 165 horsepower. As such, the 296-horsepower engine produces 818 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque, enough to easily overwhelm the rear tires in the most inconvenient moments.
Except it’s not. No matter how good 296 is, its greatest achievement may be its accessibility. It’s one thing to wield and utilize power, but it’s another for it to feel progressive and usable. No matter how deep you throw your right leg, your strength will gradually increase. Gone is the “oh-oh, now I’ve really done it” feeling associated with the powerful turbocharged supercars of the past. And that’s not to mention the level of cooperation going on behind the scenes between the electric motor, internal combustion engine and turbocharger. The combination of all that is completely imperceptible behind the wheel.
On the other hand, the 296 is practically a plug-in hybrid, so it’s easy to get around town on just the electric motor, completely overriding the engaging rumble that the 120-degree V6 makes. The system will allow electric-only driving for about 15.5 miles, and it supports speeds of about 84 miles per hour. And if you’re a rich kid who wants to sneak out with dad (mom?)’s Ferrari, you’ll be tickled.
