Southeast Asian debut for Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid convertible, starts at S$1.3m, expected deliveries for Singapore begin in 2023

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Sepang, Malaysia - Ferrari’s new drop-top just dropped in at Sepang Circuit, with the Southeast Asia regions first glimpse of the 296 GTS today.

Official pricing is yet to be confirmed, but expect an approximately S$200,00 premium over the 296 GTB, or S$1.3-million without a COE. 

The 296 GTS is based on the 296 GTB coupe. The latter is a replacement/alternative to the F8 Tributo coupe, so the same applies for the 296 GTS and the F8 Spider.

Unlike the recent tradition of V8-powered, mid-engined berlinettas (aka coupes like the F8 and 488 GTB before it) that sit below Ferrari’s V12 front-engine GT range (eg 812 Superfast).

the new 296 is a V6-powered plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that brings significant change to the Prancing Horse. While the SF90 Stradale is the firm’s first full-production hybrid, and first PHEV, the 296 signifies a true electric change for Maranello. Accordingly, the 296 GTS is the second PHEV convertible from Ferrari, after the flagship S$2m SF90 Spider.

Being a Spider, the car offers an open-air driving experience with the folding hard-top roof that can be deployed or stowed in 14 seconds and at speeds of up to 45km/h. A wind deflector behind the passenger headrests reduces wind turbulence.

As a result of the Spider mechanism and tweaks, the GTS weighs 130kg more than the coupe, though it’s still a relatively lightweight 1,540kg. In any case, the GTS’ performance is largely similar to the GTB, with an identical V6-powered PHEV drivetrain.

The 7.35kWh battery pack allows a quoted range of up to 25km on electric power alone, but let's be honest, it's nice to have but not the main draw. The system totals out at an eye-opening 830hp from the V6 paired with a 167hp electric motor, but since this is a Ferrari through and through, it’s the engine that still is the centrepiece. The 2.9-litre V6 makes 663hp, which is a higher specific output than the previously record-holding F8 Tributo’s 3.9-litre V8. 

The V6 has a special ‘flatter’ layout with a 120-degree V, and turbos inside the V itself, but the engine is overall smaller, lower, and lighter than the F8’s engine, making for a lower centre of gravity too. It’s also been designed to emulate a V12 when it comes to screaming - it revs to 8,500rpm, has been designed with primary mass balance and ‘V12-esque’ inlet and exhaust characteristics. 

The 0-100km/h is identical to the GTB’s 2.9 seconds, and the car is marginally slower in the 0-200km/h sprint (7.6 seconds vs 7.3 seconds), and on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track the GTS is 0.8 seconds slower, at 1:21.8.

Like the GTB, you can also option the GTS with a Asseto Fiorano pack (the car shown at Sepang) for sharper handling characteristics. It includes sport-tuned 'Multimatic' dampers, more weight reduction, and increased aero elements - for example carbonfibre 'appendages' on the front add 10kg more downforce. Another option for the AF package is livery inspired by the 250 LM racing car (above).

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