Ferrari 296 GTB: The "Entry Point" That Embarrasses Its Elders
Calling this Ferrari's entry-level model tells you everything about how far performance figures have moved — and almost nothing about how it actually feels to drive.
Illustration for editorial purposes
When "Entry-Level" Stops Meaning What It Used To
There's a peculiar problem facing every performance car maker right now: numbers that used to define a flagship now describe the cheapest model in the range. Few cars illustrate that shift as clearly as this one.
Generations at a Glance
| Version | Years | Engine | Gearbox | Body | 0–60mph | Top Speed | Price New (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 296 GTB | 2021–present | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 hybrid, 654bhp + 165bhp electric (819bhp combined) | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | Coupe | approx. 2.7s | 205mph+ | from approx. £230,000 |
Engineering & Powertrain
A high-revving 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 works alongside a plug-in hybrid system, driving the rear wheels only, for a combined 830 horsepower. The result is a 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph, alongside roughly 15.5 miles of electric-only range — figures that would have defined a range-topping flagship a decade ago.
Design & Positioning
Positioned below the pricier 849 Testarossa in Ferrari's current lineup, it's built around a V6 rather than the marque's traditional V8 or V12, a choice that raised eyebrows at launch but has been widely praised in practice for how the engine revs and sounds. A drop-top GTS version offers the same drivetrain in open form, and a more hardcore 868hp Speciale variant pushes the formula further still for buyers chasing outright performance.
Why It Matters
Reviewers have been near-unanimous that this car doesn't just compete with pricier Ferraris, it arguably makes some of them redundant on a pure performance-per-pound basis. That's an unusual position for what the brand still labels its accessible option.
Value Today
As a current-production model, values track new pricing and options closely, though strong demand and waiting lists in some markets have led to certain specs commanding premiums over list price shortly after delivery.
Watch & Explore
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Sources: Motoring Research, Ferrari press materials.