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The Ferrari 296 GTS is the best driver’s car of 2024

There’s more to this prancing horse than outright speed

The 296 is the first Ferrari in a long time to have a V6 since the Dino 246. PHOTO BY ALDOUS ANACION

All Ferrari cars are amazing in their own right. But the reality of driving them has been somewhat of a mixed bag. Ferraris always felt nervous, lacking the stability and the security of German metal.

Drive one hard for 30 minutes and you will want to park it for the rest of the day, your senses overwhelmed, but also effusive that you didn’t crash the car. They also feel very fragile; if you’re ham-fisted, you will break something for sure.

But the Roma and this, the 296 GTS, feel very robust, calm, composed, and sure-footed. You can go flat-out longer without fear of breaking anything, and the handling feels equally reassuring, steady, and alert, but far from nervous.

The 296 GTS is Ferrari’s first real V6-engined model, sold under the Ferrari name. Its predecessor, the 246, was marketed under the Dino brand, a sub-brand of Ferrari, after Il Commendatore’s eldest son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, who died of muscular dystrophy at the age of 24.

This V6 is paired with a hybrid system. PHOTO BY BOTCHI SANTOS

The chassis is of aluminum alloy architecture, related to the Ferrari SF90, the 488, and the F8. Despite sharing comparable dimensions with the 488 and the F8 at 4,565mm long, 1,958mm wide, and 1,186mm tall, the 296 somehow feels smaller—maybe because the interior feels more snug.

It is a tad heavier at 1,470kg versus the 488’s 1,420kg and the F8’s 1430kg, ostensibly due to the hybrid system.

The 296 continues with the 246’s naming tradition, having a 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine, code-named F163. A plug-in hybrid system with a single electric motor augments power to an astonishing 819hp, and torque to 740Nm. The power unit drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It's not easy to get in this, especially if you have a bad back. PHOTO BY BOTCHI SANTOS

Getting in is a real challenge as the 296 is very low. The seating position literally inches off the pavement. But it feels snug, everything within easy reach. The switchgear feels solid (one of the things that felt so delicate and easy to break on older Ferraris), and the driving position is perfect.

But are we ready for an electrified Ferrari?

Get in, start the car, and nothing. The electric motor defaults in operation, and as you prod the throttle gently, it starts moving via electric propulsion. It has a very decent 25km of full-electric range from its 7.45kWh battery, with an all-electric top speed of 135km/h.

Anytime a sports car is red and has the Ferrari badge, it is guaranteed to turn heads. PHOTO BY BOTCHI SANTOS

Cruising at low speeds, when you suddenly pin the throttle, the mighty twin-turbo V6 erupts to life, like a Le Mans Hypercar exiting the pits.

There is a slight delay for a bit of drama, allowing tension to build as the ICE powertrain synchronizes with the electric bits, and suddenly you’re catapulted down the road at a very alarming, truly frightening rate.

Torque is instant low down, thanks to the electric motor’s torque, but the car has massive lungs for an explosive aria at the top end, revving to 8,500rpm for a full concert experience.

Believe it or not, these thin carbon-fiber seats are very comfortable for long drives. PHOTOS BY BOTCHI SANTOS AND ALDOUS ANACION

There are four driving modes available: eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify. We tried the eDrive and Hybrid, and used Performance for a bit, but it was too frenetic for public roads.

We didn’t even bother with Qualify as the electronic nannies would have given us a leash too long and dangerous. In the end, we kept it at Hybrid mode as it felt the least intrusive and low-key, but allowed full use of all 819hp and 740Nm of torque. Not that you drive a Ferrari and expect to be low-key.

The electrically assisted power steering is impressive in feel, fluidity, and feedback, but with a light effort to it. Just a few minutes behind the wheel and you see how intuitive the steering is. The carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes are equally impressive, delivering superb feel and modulation, given its brake-by-wire design.

Despite having electric aspects to it, the 296 GTS is just as enjoyable to drive as its analog counterparts. PHOTOS BY ALDOUS ANACION

The suspension also feels right. It’s very firm, bordering almost on harsh, but it allows you to feel all the road’s nuances while allowing you to move very fluidly. It’s no track-car special (that would be the Assetto Fiorano variant), but it’s meant for fast roads with a good bit of surface imperfections.

A cross-country drive in the 296 is perfectly doable, even with the thinly padded optional Carbon Daytona seats. And if you have strong lower-body strength, and don’t mind getting into a very low car every single drive, the 296 is a perfect everyday car as it’s number coding-exempt, too!

It's more sporty than a GT, but it sure can make long drives enjoyable with the top down. PHOTO BY ALDOUS ANACION

The 296 is in its element on fast and flowing A- and B-roads that will allow you to really stretch its very long legs. Throw in generous elevation changes and the odd hairpins so you can appreciate the instant torque from the electric motor. The suspension weighs up progressively, making handling very predictable and not nervous at all.

Crucially, it gives you the confidence to keep it flat-out, exploring its limits (and yours). And when you need to escape for an early-morning drive, creep away silently in electric mode from your posh residential subdivision or multilevel basement car park.

In city driving, the Ferrari goes electric most of the time so it feels peaceful and serene. There’s only so much of the noise and vibration one can take in traffic anyway.

Admittedly, the Italians aren't the best when it comes to making things easy to use within the cabin. PHOTOS BY BOTCHI SANTOS

However, the 296 does have some quirks. The user interface for the multimedia infotainment system is difficult to use, and if you’re used to any other type of car that isn’t Italian, you’ll find that there are just too many buttons and controls mounted on the steering wheel such that it can make it very confusing, and it requires a good bit of familiarization. And I do wish the all-EV range were double the distance.

Despite its minor foibles, the 296 is my new favorite Ferrari, and my pick for the best driver’s car for 2024.



Botchi Santos

Botchi is your friendly, walking car encyclopedia. He loves helping people choose the right vehicle for themselves as much as he enjoys picking the right one for himself. Expect him to write about car culture, test drives and car-shopping advice. His regular column is called ‘Car Life’.



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