Page 64 - The Book For Men Spring/Summer 2023

AMEMBER OF FERRARI’S ENGINEERING TEAM TOLD us, matter-of-factly, in Italian-tinged English before handing over the keys to the marque’s new drop-top in coastal Northern Italy. Bearing in mind Ferrari’s range also includes GOATs like the 812 GTS and the Daytona SP3, not to mention that the new 296 runs the smallest engine of the family — a 120-degree V6 coupled to an electric motor (between the engine and gearbox) — we were taken aback by the engineer’s comment. While Ferrari has long held rank as a Goliath in the supercar space, the 296 GTS is clearly the brand’s David.
The numbers paint a different picture though. The supercar’s power-to-weight ratio is impressive; at 1,540 kilos, it’s only 145 kg heavier than a Lotus Evora. That British machine delivers only 345
horsepower in supercharged form, while the 296 GTS delivers — wait for it — 818 ponies.
Much of the 296 GTS carries over from its closed-roof GTB sibling, aside from the 70 kilograms of mass added to stiffen the chassis once the roof was removed. That folding roof, by the way, opens in 14 seconds at speeds up to 45 km/h. It’s also worth noting that the aptly named “hot tubes” (air ducts that pipe engine noise into the passenger cabin) were re-tuned to provide an ideal level of ruckus in the drop-top variant. The brand even went so far as to add variable baffles to said tubes, which in turn are linked to the roof system to increase and decrease engine noise based on roof position. Brava!
Positioned behind the passenger cabin where it belongs, Ferrari has collo- quially dubbed its V6 engine, “the little V12.” The argument presented was that, between the motor’s 120-degree layout, the firing order, exhaust tuning, and 8,500 red line, the V6 has a distinct howl reminiscent of the brand’s legendary V12s. Again, a big statement.
Over the course of the day, on a mix of straight flat highway, and ample miles logged climbing winding mountain roads, there were a couple of things that proved challenging to resist. First among them was injudicious use of the throttle pedal. This thing is fast, proper fast. Set to its most aggressive “Qualify” mode, the V6 and the electric motor dump all of their combined power to the rear wheels, propelling the driver from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, and up to 200 km/h in 7.6 seconds.
Being designed with driving pleasure in mind, blistering acceleration is only a small part of the equation. The steering feel, the confounding levels of grip, and the soundtrack that comes along with it make for a sensory experience that few competitors can rival.
In “Performance” mode, the car’s primary propulsion is still petrol, using occasional bursts of bonus EV thrust as needed. In trade, the battery regeneration in this mode is much stronger, keeping its battery fully recharged with little fuss. “Hybrid” mode is more unusual, as the engine toggles on and off based on driver inputs. Given the raucous tune of its exhaust, the random startups of the V6 can be a bit off-putting. However, thanks to some clever gearbox
engineering, these transitions are otherwise incredibly seamless.
The 296 GTS also has “EV Mode,” with the capability of running on electric power alone for up to 25 kilometres. The e-motor itself only has about 167 horsepower to its name, so after a spirited run up the backside of the moun- tain, swapping to EV mode feels like you’ve entered a racetrack pit lane and are
cruising on a speed-limiter. That said, that’s kind of the point.
In practical application, EV mode allows drivers to go silent as they pass through small towns and residential areas, and avoid disrupting the peace and quiet of those around them. There’s a sort of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde scenario
at play here, but one that works well as a complete package.
For a mid-engined convertible supercar, our long drive around Northern Italy remained quite comfortable. Six footers will still have to put effort into hoisting themselves in and out of the cabin, however the seating and overall ergonomics offer enough space to be comfortable during an extended road trip. The suspension tune is also relatively tame considering the car’s cornering capability, and even when dialled up to a firmer position the ride isn’t jarring. That said, we’d advise against the optional Assetto Fiorano package unless
you’re genuinely set on being on the track quite frequently.
All told, the 296 GTS is an interesting one to dissect. It’s a far cry from the beloved analog supercars of yore. Those were hard to drive fast, and had a penchant for putting lead-footed novices six feet under. With those now-archaic cars it was the “soul factor” that created a sense of connection between car and driver. Nevertheless, even with half the cylinders and a modest electric assist, the new 296 GTS manages to tug at heartstrings like few other vehicles do. It’s lightweight, it’s composed, and it frequently will leave you second-guessing
your understanding of the laws of physics.
Of the many car companies walking a fine line between the EV future
and petrolic nostalgia, Ferrari is one of the few that seems to have a firm grasp on how to move toward the future without leaving behind the past.
SPECS:
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid Power: 818 hp
Price: $420,000 (estimated)
64 BFM / SS23 AUTO / NEXT STEPS