The Ferrari 296 GTS expands Ferrari’s mid-engine plug-in hybrid offerings in spider form following the SF90. Introduced in 2022 as the successor to the F8 Spider, it revives the V6 configuration in Ferrari’s convertible lineup for the first time since the Dino 246 GTS ended production in 1974. The retractable hardtop presented complex engineering challenges that Ferrari resolved without compromising the car’s performance credentials. The same commitment extended to every aspect of the car’s design and execution.
INTERIOR
Digital interface integration
The 296 GTS cockpit features Ferrari’s digital interface concept first seen on the SF90 Stradale, adapted here with refined sophistication. The fully digital 16-inch instrument cluster ahead of the driver combines the rev counter, infotainment functions, and navigation system in a single display. Audio and navigation controls integrate into this main cluster rather than through a separate central touchscreen. An optional passenger display provides real-time performance data including engine speed and vehicle dynamics, positioning the passenger as an engaged co-driver rather than a passive observer.
Materials and construction
Interior surfaces showcase Italian leather throughout the cabin, with optional Alcantara seat inserts providing additional sporting character. Carbon fiber appears in selected structural and decorative elements to introduce a lightweight, technical character without dominating the space. The cabin architecture maintains Ferrari’s driver-focused philosophy through clean lines and minimal visual clutter.
Hybrid system controls
The 296 GTS adds an eManettino selector to the left side of the steering wheel, complementing the standard Manettino dial. This secondary control manages four hybrid engine modes: eDrive for electric-only operation up to 135 km/h, Hybrid for combined power delivery, Performance for optimized dynamics, and Qualify for maximum track capability.
EXTERIOR
Proportions and architecture
The mid-engine layout creates compact proportions with an abbreviated front overhang and concentrated mass between the axles. The retractable hardtop folds into the compartment located ahead of the engine, which requires specific cover geometry that shapes the tail’s distinctive form. The roof completes its cycle in 14 seconds at speeds up to 45 km/h.
Aerodynamic elements
Ferrari’s signature aero bridge creates visual continuity between the compact cabin and rear flanks. An active rear spoiler integrated into the tail remains retracted during low-drag operation and deploys in high-downforce configuration, adding up to 100 kg of rear downforce to enhance stability and braking performance at elevated speeds.
Design references
Styling draws clear inspiration from the 1963 Ferrari 250 LM, referencing its sculptural B-pillar treatment, rear wing volumes, and Kamm tail. While modern aerodynamic and hybrid requirements shape many details, the design retains the functional simplicity and purposeful spirit of its 1960s predecessor.
SPECIFICATIONS
Performance data
The 296 GTS accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 7.6 seconds. Top speed exceeds 330 km/h under combustion power, while electric-only operation extends to 135 km/h. Carbon ceramic discs bring the car to rest from 100 km/h in approximately 33 metres.
Physical dimensions
At 4,565 mm in length, 1,958 mm in width, and 1,191 mm in height, the 296 GTS rides on a 2,600 mm wheelbase. Dry weight settles at approximately 1,540 kg, 70 kg beyond the GTB coupé owing to the folding roof assembly and additional chassis bracing. Luggage capacity remains modest at 113 litres.
ENGINEERING
Hybrid powertrain configuration
A 120-degree V6 forms the combustion heart, with twin turbochargers positioned in a hot-V configuration above the crankshaft. Displacing 2,992 cc, this engine delivers 663 CV at 8,000 rpm. An electric motor contributing 167 CV sits between engine and transmission, elevating combined output to 830 CV.
Power delivery systems
An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission routes power to the rear wheels. The Transition Manager Actuator orchestrates seamless shifts between electric, hybrid, and combustion modes according to driving demands and battery charge levels. Electric-only eDrive mode permits silent operation up to 135 km/h, while Hybrid mode summons the combustion engine during acceleration or as battery charge diminishes.
Chassis dynamics
A 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor monitors vehicle behaviour in real time, feeding data to the ABS EVO controller and electronic differential. Side Slip Control works in concert with the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer to optimize slip angles and exploit available traction through corners. Adaptive dampers continuously adjust suspension response, adapting to road conditions and driver inputs as circumstances demand.
Sound characteristics
The 120° V6 layout shapes the engine’s unmistakable voice, creating a tone that separates it from any other power unit in the range. Ferrari’s engineers reinforce this character with a hot-tube system that draws sound from near the combustion chambers and carries it directly into the cabin. Careful tuning of the intake, exhaust and interior acoustics then guides the note through each rise in revs, building a smooth, resonant progression that feels as deliberate as it sounds.
MARKET COMPARISON
Ferrari 296 GTS vs 296 GTB
Both models draw from the same hybrid powertrain, delivering 830 CV and matching acceleration figures. The GTB carries a listed dry weight of 1,470 kilograms, giving it an edge in mass that pairs naturally with the rigidity of its fixed roof. The GTS takes a different direction, trading that structural advantage for the immediacy of open-air driving. Their aerodynamic philosophies remain closely aligned, yet the GTB’s signature flying-buttress profile sets it apart from the GTS, which adopts a reworked rear deck to house the folding roof.
Ferrari 296 GTS vs McLaren Artura
McLaren’s Artura produces about 680 CV from its hybrid V6, compared with the 296 GTS’s 830 CV output. Both accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in roughly three seconds, demonstrating very similar off-the-line performance. The Artura’s dry weight of around 1,498 kilograms makes it slightly lighter than the Ferrari, while its electric-only range of about 31 kilometres extends beyond the 296 GTS’s approximate 25 kilometres.
Ferrari 296 GTS vs Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder
Lamborghini’s naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 produces 640 CV without hybrid assistance, delivering 190 CV less than the 296 GTS. The Huracán weighs approximately 1,542 kg dry, similar to the 296 GTS despite lacking hybrid engineering. The Huracán uses an all-wheel-drive layout, while the 296 GTS sends its power to the rear axle, giving each car its own character.
Ferrari 296 GTS vs Porsche 911 Turbo S
The Porsche 911 Turbo S relies on a 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six with 650 CV, placing it below the 296 GTS in outright power, yet its 2.7-second sprint to 100 km/h gives it a slight edge off the line. Porsche’s all-wheel-drive system and rear-engine layout create a very different dynamic profile from the Ferrari’s mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive arrangement. The 911 also adds a 2+2 seating layout, offering occasional rear accommodation absent in the two-seat 296 GTS.
The Verdict
The 296 GTS presents Ferrari’s hybrid system in an open-roof format while retaining the composed character of a mid-engine design. Its aerodynamics and chassis electronics work with precision, giving the car a measured, deliberate feel on the road. It appeals to drivers who want hybrid capability without moving away from the dynamics of a traditional performance model. In this setting, the 296 GTS becomes a focused and carefully controlled step in Ferrari’s progression toward electrified vehicles.
To explore the Ferrari 296 GTS in detail or arrange a private consultation, contact our team.
