The six-cylinder growl of the latest Ferrari hybrid drop-top is the perfect soundtrack to the scenic roads of the Tuscan coastline, writes James Whitbourn.
A famed Italian marque is entering unchartered territory, and what more appropriate place to put it through its paces than the Tuscan Riviera?
My taste of the classically inspired Ferrari 296 GTS – a V6 hybrid convertible, the drop-top companion to the 296 GTB coupe – takes the form of a scenic tour from the shores of the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea, via Passo della Futa in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, to the model’s Maranello birthplace.
The journey begins in style, at Dalmazia. The traditional restaurant in Forte Dei Marmi puts a modern twist on local staples under chef Valentino Cassanelli.
While I dine, a red army swarms around the striking blue sports convertible parked outside, putting the finishing touches on the vehicle before I set off. Lunch marks the end of a delightful stay at the lavish Hotel Principe Forte Dei Marmi, a light-filled, designer-furnished abode, where the main attraction is my test drive of the 296 GTS. Conceived as a smaller, more fun sports car, the mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive Ferrari 296 GTS draws from the past in its 1960s 250 LM-referencing rear styling. Yet, looks to the future with its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology and ability to drive short distances under electric power.
The future of Ferrari
Designed concurrently with the 296 coupe, the retractable-hardtop convertible GTS shares the claim of being the first official roadgoing six- cylinder Ferrari – since the 1960s and ’70s Dino 206 and 246 did not wear the Prancing Horse badge.
Pressing start brings a high-pitched whine rather than any traditional combustion engine theatrics. It’s not very Ferrari. But, it’s the futuristic sound that signifies a hybrid (or an electric vehicle) is ready to drive.
While driving in hybrid mode, the 2992cc V6 petrol engine (that provides the ‘29’ and ‘6’ in the model’s name) is a regular contributor, bowing out when the 122kW, 315Nm electric motor, which is sandwiched between the combustion engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, is able to provide all the driver calls for – such as at low speeds and when you are coasting.
An all-electric ‘eDrive’ mode allows an official 25 kilometres of near-silent driving, drawing only on the 7.45kWh battery and is handy when you are doing short commutes.
Drive in different modes
This mode is surprisingly fun (though not especially quick) on the tight mountain roads, and switching from sonorous supercar to silent assassin at a button press provides a new way to wow enthusiastic onlookers.
‘Qualify’ mode delivers peak performance from the 610kW, 740Nm hybrid powertrain. While the all-rounder ‘Performance’ is the ideal mode to quickly recharge the battery during driving.
The 296 GTS’s engine is unusual in that the angle of the ‘V’ in the V6 is 120 degrees, rather than the typical 60 or 90 degrees. This allows ample space for a pair of counter-rotating turbochargers packaged in the valley, each spinning at up to 180,000 rpm.
With the top down, the unusual-angled V6 (dubbed by Ferrari engineers ‘piccolo V12’) delivers an intoxicating soundtrack unlike any Ferrari. Or six-cylinder, for that matter. It segues from a menacing deep purr to an 8500rpm howl, with a turbo whoosh and whistle.
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Convertible cool and coupe-quiet
The 296 GTS is a retractable hardtop convertible, rather than the more common fabric top, for aesthetic reasons. The hardtop permits a beautiful silhouette close to that of the GTB.
A further benefit is that roof-up, the cabin is almost coupe-quiet and secure. Dropping or raising the powered roof takes 14 seconds and can be done while driving at up to 45 kilometres per hour. And as long as the side glass is up, the GTS cabin remains free from buffeting and wind noise.
Quaint, cobbled villages provide pause to glance away from the virtual instrument cluster, which also offers multimedia information and the navigation display.
In my 296, the supportive seats, console, lower dash and door panels are tied together in matching tan leather. With a chrome-finished gear selector between the seats reminiscent of a classic H-pattern manual transmission gate. The blade-profiled leather and carbon fibre steering wheel – which is home to the eManettino, along with many key controls – is connected to electrically assisted power steering. It offers a crisply keen and responsive two turns lock-to-lock and plenty of road feel.
Removing the roof usually comes at a cost to rigidity. However through smart engineering design, the 296 GTS is almost as rigid as the GTB while gaining only 70 kilograms. As a result it can successfully share the coupe’s suspension settings.
Ferrari 296 GTS – swift and speedy
Over these roads – which form part of the historic Mille Miglia endurance race route – the 296 GTS rides pliantly. It generates enormous grip and is otherworldly in its composure given its immense performance. Going from zero to 100 kilometres per hour officially takes two point nine seconds, with 0-200 kilometres per hour in an eye-widening seven point six seconds, and a top speed of 330 kilometres per hour.
It’s more performance than you can fully deploy on a road like this, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Lap times at Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit show the potential. The 296 GTS is among the brand’s quickest models at one minute 21.80 seconds.
It’s incredible for a baby V6 hybrid, and less than a second adrift of the GTB. The Ferrari 296 GTS costs $668,146, excluding on-road costs and before individualisation. Deliveries to Australian customers are expected to commence in the first half of 2023.
An Assetto Fiorano package including lightweight features and aerodynamic modifications is also available.
This article originally appeared in volume 43 of Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue today.
