As more daily-use cars become battery-powered, consumers are on the fence about whether or not to accept or reject the most shocking change in decades. Supercars aren’t exempt from the transition either, and Ferrari is the latest luxury-performance automaker to look towards electrification to entice its tech-hungry customers. Its newest offering is the sharply designed 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB: a rear mid-engine hybrid supercar that offers drivers a glorious 830-horsepower engine.
It should come as no surprise that Ferrari is introducing another electrified car into its lineup. Automakers across the industry have been moving to more sustainable propulsion methods, including offering a hybrid powertrain for high-horsepower vehicles like the GTB. Electrification helps produce a more fuel-efficient supercar, though that’s not always the point with these types of supercars—it also means gobs of instant torque directly off the line (courtesy of the electric motor) without sacrificing the sounds feels of the internal combustion engine loved by enthusiasts.
The 296 GTB is a confusing moniker compared to other vehicles in Ferrari’s lineup. Foregoing a modern branding, the Italian automaker chose to combine the car’s total displacement (2,992cc) with its total number of cylinders (6) and slapped on the GTB branding to signify its purpose as a Gran Turismo Berlinetta—a grand touring sports coupe. More importantly, it won’t replace any existing models in Ferrari’s lineup but will complement it by slotting between the mid-engine F8 Tributo and the Roma grand tourer.
The Ferrari can still travel up to about 16 miles under battery-only power. When depleted, the car will snap back to life with the internal combustion engine (ICE), transitioning seamlessly between electric and gasoline power using a clutch-based system it calls the Transition Manager Actuator. The ICE engine will recharge the battery pack (as will regenerative braking), or owners can plug the GTB into an outlet when they arrive home.
It’s not all about power, though. The car’s undoubtedly saucy styling is a unique departure from Ferrari’s current design architecture. Designers drew inspiration from classic racers like the 1963 Ferrari 250 LM to sculpt the body and give the GTB a sloping Kammback tail. A low-slung roofline complements large fender arches, and the entire car feels almost monolithic.
Inside the car are several smart features as well. A digital instrument cluster provides driver-focused data like the vehicle mode, state of charge, and navigation—all centralized around a sizeable centrally-positioned rev-counter. A second display allows for a co-driving experience by replicating the tachometer and other relevant information about the car onto the dashboard, directly in front of the passenger. In standard Ferrari fashion, all driver controls are centric on the steering wheel, including gear paddles and wheel-mounted turn signals. There are also many touch-sensitive surfaces to maximize the premium feel.
The supercar will be competing against other high-end offerings like the upcoming Maserati MC20 and electrified McLaren Artura. But most importantly, it signals the future of Ferrari’s battery-rich portfolio.