It redefines the whole concept of fun behind the wheel. The 296 GTB ushers in an authentic revolution for Ferrari as it introduces a new engine type to flank the marque’s multi-award-winning eight- and 12-cylinder power units: a new 663cv V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 122kW.
This is the first six-cylinder engine installed on a road car sporting the Prancing Horse badge and delivers previously unthinkable performance levels and an innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack.
It is not simply the living, beating heart of the 296 GTB, but it also ushers in a new V6 era that has its roots deep in Ferrari’s unparalleled 70-year-plus experience in motor sports. The very first Ferrari V6, in fact, featured a 65-degree architecture and debuted on the 1957 1500cc Dino 156 F2 single-seater.
This was followed in 1958 by bigger displacement versions on the front-engined sport prototypes – the 196 S and 296 S – and F1 cars, such as the 246 F1, which powered Mike Hawthors to the F1 Driver’s Championship title the same year. The very first Ferrari to sport a mid-rear-mounted V6 was the 246 SP in 1961, which won the Targa Florio both that same year and in 1962, amongst many others.
Also in 1961, Ferrari secured its first Constructors’ title in the Formula 1 World Championship with the 156 F1, which was powered by a 120-degree V6. Ferrari first installed turbos between an engine’s cylinder banks on the 126 CK in 981 and subsequently on the 126 C2 in 1982, which became the first turbocharged car to win the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship title. This was followed up with a second title in 1983 with the 126 C3.
Lastly, V6 turbo hybrid architecture has been used on all Formula 1 single-seaters since 2014.
Its sporty, sinuous design and extremely compact dimensions also visually underscore its exceptional modernity, brilliantly referencing the likes of the 1963 250 LM, the perfect marriage of simplicity and functionality.
As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, for clients who want to exploit the car’s extreme power and performance to the utmost, particularly on the track, the 296 GTB is also available with the Assetto Fiorano package, which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.
Source: QuickPic
