Ferrari Singapore’s new 296 GTB sporting berlinetta is its second plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and starts at S$1.13m without a COE 

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SINGAPORE – Ferrari has unveiled its newest sports car, the 296 GTB, in Singapore. It’s priced at S$1.13m without COE or options, and first deliveries are expected in early 2023. 

The 296 GTB breaks ground for Ferrari as its second PHEV machine that points towards the brand’s electrified future, and it also marks the first time Ferrari has made a V6-powered car since the Dino. 

We covered the 296 GTB in detail with our news report following its international announcement, we’ll recap the main points here anyway:  

While Ferrari says it’s not a replacement for the V8, gasoline-only F8 Tributo, the latter will not have a new V8 mid-engined replacement, but the 296 will appear in the lineup – make of that what you will (i.e. yes it’s a replacement as a mid-engined Berlinetta that sits under the flagship range). 

Ferrari chose a V6 so it could fit the PHEV system and all the important bits into a shorter wheelbase – the company’s tagline for the car is ‘Defining fun to drive’, which means it’s addressing the myth of boring hybrids. 

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But it’s a Ferrari hybrid, so that makes all the difference. The 2.9-litre V6 engine has, in typical Ferrari fashion, set a specific output production record of 221hp per litre, with around 650hp. With the 167hp/315Nm motor, the system total output is a huge 830hp.

The car boasts a 0-100km/h time of 2.9 seconds, and a 0-200km/h time of only 7.3 seconds, with top speed in excess of 330km/h. The saintly part is the 7.45kWh battery, located behind the seats, which allows a quoted electric range of 25km. Efficiency figures are yet to be confirmed. 

In person, the 296 GTB looks extra wide and low, perhaps because it’s shorter (4565mm vs 4611mm), almost as wide (1,958mm vs 1,979mm), and less tall than the already compact F8  (1,187mm vs 1,206mm). 

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The design also shows considerable evolution, with the car bearing an aerodynamic Kamm tail, lots of ‘EV style’ clean surfacing and curves. Two eye-catching details are the front ‘tea tray’ winglet on the lower splitter, and the roof spoiler just above the engine bay glass section. Just like the SF90, the rear exhaust is a centrally-mounted single-aperture unit. 

The Assetto Fiorano sport pack option is available too at S$118,800 for those who want even more show and go. It includes:

• ‘Racing derived’ adjustable Multimatic shock absorbers 
• Higher downforce carbonfibre elements from the front bumper (10kg more)
• Lexan rear screen for weight saving  (3kg) 
• Carbonfibre in the cabin for weight saving (12kg)

As it always is with Ferrari, demand far outstrips supply. There’s likely a lengthy waitlist already for the car, even if you plonk you money down now. For instance, the F8 Tributo which debuted in 2019 is still being delivered to customers now, though that marks the tail end of the gasoline-only coupe’s production. The 296 GTB though, marks Ferrari’s future in making electrified cars that jolt the driver – pleasantly. 

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