Ferrari’s new soulful supercar

The new Ferrari 296 GTB is both monstrously fast and intimate. Jasper Spires reports

“The 296 GTB is another highly technical new Ferrari, and risked being a beautiful automotive cyborg. Fortunately it overflows with the one thing no one can engineer: soul,” says Jason Barlow in GQ. As absurd as it is to call it a democratic supercar – most will cost close to £300,000 once optioned-up – “it has a rare supercar quality that makes going fast feel completely natural”. Responsive handling and the latest in automotive technology mean anyone can be a star-studded supercar driver.

A silent attention-seeker

With a top speed of 204mph, the GTB races from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. It’s “monstrously quick” and will scratch that adrenaline itch, and knows just how to deliver the thrills high-octane motorists want. “When you put your foot down, you can hear the boost building in the torpedo tubes behind you, which tells your brain to expect an imminent explosion of speed,” says John Howell for Pistonheads. Yet the drive hasn’t been sacrificed for raw power. It’s “smooth, intimate and connected. The steering’s super-fast, but Ferrari is on top of that now, so trust in the front end comes naturally”, says Top Gear. “It’s massively satisfying to turn: the weighting, the resistance, the connection… everything operates in balance and harmony”. Supercars are attention-seekers, heard before they’re seen, but here’s that extra dimension that electricity brings

– “soundless progress and a more accepting audience”. It can be hard to believe this breadth of versatility is all rolled into the same car.

Every inch of the GTB is lovingly crafted to squeeze the best out of its aerodynamics. “It looks great,” says Georg Kacher in Car magazine. “Like most supercars, it’s all focused on increasing downforce at speed.” A marvel of intelligent aesthetics, the design funnels cooling air over the engine and presses down over the roof to glue the vehicle to the road and generate even greater speed. This intelligent philosophy continues in the interior, where every detail for power outside is matched by considerations for motoring comfort.

“It has a rare supercar quality that makes going fast feel completely natural”

Intelligent design inside and out

“The 296 GTB’s cabin feels plenty spacious for a two-seater Ferrari, and there is even a respectable amount of luggage space in the front trunk,” says Mike Duff in Car and Driver. Outfitted with a state-of-the-art infotainment system, and enough drive options to customise your drive to suit each individual behind the wheel, the cabin architecture is as intricately styled as the rest of the car. “It feels like a special place to be,” agrees Adam Towler in Evo. A superlative example of super-car excellence, the Ferrari GTB is a must-have and a must-drive for motoring enthusiasts. See ferrari.com.