Ferrari 296 GTS review | The best convertible supercar on sale? | Autocar

We’re familiar enough with the Ferrari 296 GTB to say that we absolutely love it. Ferrari took a risk when they decided to fit it with a hybrid V6 powertrain, but it certainly paid off - it’s something of a benchmark for other cars in class, combining a genuinely fun driving experience with a frankly ludicrous amount of speed.
Well, now there’s a convertible version. It’s got the same 819bhp setup as the coupe, and Ferrari says that it’s just as fast. However, convertible supercars can be a bit hit or miss - the lack of a solid roof means that you need extra strengthening throughout, which can add a fair chunk of weight, and if there isn’t enough of it then the driving experience can be seriously compromised when compared to its hardtop counterpart.
So, has Ferrari managed to create an open-top 296 that drives just as well as the coupe? Join Richard Lane as attacks the mountain passes of Italy to find out.
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[@nfareview]

Have one on order! It’s gonna be a long two years! 😊

[@davidringoringo4084]

Youre one lucky guy, congrats!

[@mvs9122]

I just got called by the salesperson telling me he may have open spot for 296GTS. I have a 2022 720S and i am dreaming of having a 720S, 296 GTS and a lambo (maybe tecnica) down the road. The 720S is ludus blue, same as the car being driven. Idk if i should go for matching colors or go for classic red corsica. What color is yours? What you think? I am not trying to be obnoxious (i have worked all my life and live very modestly). It is such a beautiful car but them next to each other would be an absolute delightful sight!

[@SEAN518848]

Great presenter. He can describe the car in a very detailed and delicate way. Everyone has their style and he certainly has his own. Carry on.

[@zhbroder]

fully agree 👌🏻

[@elgordo1148]

Back/side with those intakes has 250gto details about it to me, seen one in Edinburgh Ferrari last week and it was absolutely gorgeous, it was surrounded with 488s, 812s, f8s and a coupleof SF90s, look better than them all, Dream machine no doubt about it.

[@Fioravanti.80]

Great presentation - good use of language, imparting logical analysis and emotions. I think this is the best recent design since the 458 from Ferrari. The sound of the V6 is unique. I am excited by what Ferrari will achieve with the 296 GT3 / Speciale / CS version. With lighter weight and the removal of hybrid system, it could well be a stunning addition. I also feel the GT3 car with it's aggressive design language looks terrific, and if Ferrari were to translate some of those details onto the road going lightweight, it'd look amazing too.

[@subirg]

How many laps can it do on track before emptying the hybrid system and needing a few hours to recharge?

[@v4skunk739]

Never because the engine charges up the battery?

[@kunalmore5212]

What’s the difference between a spyder and the aperta??

[@joebloggs4191]

Nice but I'd rather have the older 458, looks better, sounds better, costs less and is fast enough!

[@BrendanEvan]

Agreed

[@flyingphoenix113]

I'd rather have the 430. Better steering than the 458 and a manual transmission. 🤷‍♂️

[@edjack1993]

458 Aperta for me please. Ferraris are long past being pointlessly fast for the road. The 458 was already insane 🙂

[@jafooli]

Cars have peaked. 296 is a regression.

[@richboy900]

458 will go up in value. Future classic. Last n/a V8 Ferrari

[@JBsC6]

I prefer the ferrari 488 spider (GTS like) but the 296 is gorgeous as well. Too pricey for me yet stunningly beautiful and well deserved accolades. Ill have a c8 corvette htc Z06 thats more of a normal human beings supercar but not quite at the same level of crafted sensual design. Wonderful review thank you. Very invoking and insightful

[@MoJo-2977]

488 GTS doesn’t exist…

[@JBsC6]

@@MoJo-2977 i meant the convertible or retractable hardtop Spider

[@fifteen8850]

Personally, while I like the 488 and the cars based on it afterwards, I think the 296 is the more beautiful car

[@alastairfaulds8184]

Does the front not look a bit like an old Mazda MX-6 ??

[@MoJo-2977]

No ??

[@kylelee8685]

yes. so true.

[@thesneakertifosi]

Would I find a touch interesting is when I asked 5 different race car drivers on separate events about Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini and Porsche, they all say the Mclaren cars are terrible in corners as they feel disjointed. The top handling marks went to Porsche and Ferrari.

[@mvs9122]

These video's messes up with your mind 🤯

[@dash-ryan]

The upcoming Artura Spider? I'd settle for the Artura hardtop at this point, because I'm not sure if deliveries have even started due the problems it's been having.

[@ridingdriving]

artura doent look anywhere as nice nor represent anywhere near the quality of ferrari and it has been plagued with software and hardware problems

[@pauln0371]

Think you'll be lucky to see an Artura before mid 23 tbf

[@DevKumar-bi2ld]

@@ridingdriving although artura looks more beautiful, but ferrari feels a lot more special

[@ridingdriving]

@@DevKumar-bi2ld artura looks no where as nice as the ferrari..artura looks like a product the ferrari looks like passion

[@JDM911]

The base car has the magneto rheological suspension, the Assetto Fiorano pack adds Multimatic DSSV dampers.

[@davidhuysmans67]

It has one big problem, a 65L fueltank. Way to small for such a sportscar.

[@ashleylemmer8016]

Most desireable car on the market at the moment (to me).

[@officialmichaeljnr]

Nat a massive fan of the look. Front looks like a corvette. Id rather have a 992 turbo s and 100k in change .

[@pauln0371]

Any car with 820hp is definitely a Supercar and not a sports car..I'd go as far as to say it's sub hypercar in terms of power and performance..

[@MoJo-2977]

It’s how Supercar are evolving, Hypercar makes more than 1000hp now

[@wojciechmuras553]

That would make some minivans "hypercars". There's more to it than horsepower.

[@rahulan5026]

For me Enzo Ferrari, 488 spider and Laferrari are the only cars just looks like a ferrari. And I couldn't think of a blue or brown ferrari, red is the perfect colour for ferrari in my eyes. Maybe It's just me..

[@Runoratsu]

Strange thing to say about a super car, I know, but to me this looks… _too_ wide? Like, almost a bit comically so. May just be the styling, maybe it was even just this video, but I think it could do away with somewhere around 5-10cm (2-4“) of body width; from a purely visual standpoint.

[@JimmyBhoy71]

This video is goin to be really helpful for me to decide which Ferrari will be fastest for me to drive behind that Vauxhall Corsa on the expressway on the way home from the call centre. Not sure whether to get the Macarena Dampers though - might be good for going round that mini roundabout at B&Q.

[@since-jx1ix]

He's no Matt Prior 🤣

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Nice, all the performance of a C8 Z06 HTC at only twice the price. 😊

[@JBsC6]

Love my c8 but the Italian designers fold and bend metal like no one else. Jmo

[@Fred-vy1hm]

@@JBsC6 well the $300,000 you saved probably takes the sting out that and the C8 is just as nice looking to my uneducated eye.

[@fifteen8850]

This thing is probably faster lol

[@mikelyon5595]

I think it looks and sounds great! I'd still buy a new Turbo-S I could trust as a daily driver

[@pauln0371]

TBF you should read Jethro Bovingdon's article for EVO magazine where he states that modern Ferrari's may very well be about the most reliable cars on sale.. Having owned 2 Porsche's I can testify that they aren't without a few problems and aren't the paragon of reliability you might believe...

[@vincentschneuwly9783]

@@pauln0371 so true 👍 now there is still one thing which makes me still driving a Porsche over à Ferrari: milleage, way easier and less financialy hurting to put miles on your 911 than or your 488...

[@pauln0371]

@@vincentschneuwly9783 every new Ferrari gets 7 years free servicing so you'd be surprised that the difference isn't as great as you think. Try get any free services from Porsche and watch them laugh..lol

[@vincentschneuwly9783]

@@pauln0371 actually I was thinking about depreciation, 30K miles on a Porsche VS 30K on a Ferrari, those 7 years services are really a good deal but that doesn't seem to make owners driving them more

[@pauln0371]

@@vincentschneuwly9783 percentage wise the Ferrari will still be better mainly down to the fact they don't make that many in a year whereas Porsche make over 10 times as many cars in a year.

[@pauln0371]

The only question that springs to my mind is, this fantastic technology filled sub hypercar for circa £300k with options, or a used 458 Speciale? As much as I love this, id pick the Speciale...👍👍

[@derlangsame7813]

A 458 Speciale now costs 300k?!

[@pauln0371]

@@derlangsame7813 yep

[@hamzanocap]

@@pauln0371 Isn't that what Pistas goes for? I'd thought, even in this market, that Speciales are still at £450,000.

[@donndee3587]

Was asked to buy one of these to get on the waiting list of the Purosangue. Seems like they’re struggling to sell these in the quantities they like to.

[@Ruben98RaptoR]

No surprise looking at the price they're asking, for half the price you can get equal or better performance

[@dickcheese663]

lol no

[@papa_pt]

The gall

[@v4skunk739]

@@Ruben98RaptoR Artura doesn't equal or better performance but also cost 100k less.

[@howarda4242]

Sold out of entire production run in the USA ..

[@meankronen8217]

I really wish we can see how this car and the 812 competzione perform on a drag race but it seems like there is no a single video of that. I would love to see how they compare with top of the top cars.

[@Kmaaq]

296 beats it no competition. 812C is around 5.1s 100-200km/h while 296 is 4.3s. (I have an 812 rn and 296 on order)

[@jimj2683]

I don't want to see the presenter, I want to see the car!

[@pedromiguelgasparpaiva1411]

Grande máquina...

[@kane0508LCAC]

I hope that’s not the car you can hear squeaking with the roof up!! Went in a 458 Spider a bit back and it squeaked like crazy. I would hope Ferrari engineering techniques have improved with this car to eliminate so much flex. Poor. Time for a tub!!

[@jameswillard1]

I agree with you 💯 I was shocked at how bad the 458 Spider was….. with the top up it was constantly creaking (particularly at low speeds on uneven surfaces like driving slowly through a parking lot) and with it down there was actually noticeable chassis twist and the rear view mirror was blurry from the windshield header moving. Was curious if the Mclaren would really be that much better and it was in a different universe as far as rigidity….. literally drove just like a coupe roof up or down 👍🏻

[@kane0508LCAC]

@@jameswillard1 couldn’t agree more. Haven’t been in a McLaren myself. Did you find the Mac tub works as well in either body style?

[@jameswillard1]

@@kane0508LCAC absolutely. I’ve driven 650S/570S/720S Spiders versions and they all felt stiff as could be, with no chassis twist or structural shimmies. I also drove a Performante Spyder and it was a lot better than the Ferrari but still not solid like a Mclaren. The best part of the tub is that the only weight increase is the motor/top mechanism unlike that Huracan which has almost 400lbs extra of chassis reinforcements

[@kane0508LCAC]

@@jameswillard1 wow that’s awesome! It’s a shame no one really talks about this. The general consensus seems to be Mclarens have poor build quality but no one ever seems to mention the flex and associated squeaking of Ferraris!

[@batmikipig]

I accept a v6, I accept the tubos... but I'll never accept the hybrid part. Never. I'd prefer an all electric ferrari over a hybrid. This... sf99... even the Laferrari... meh

[@v4skunk739]

Full ev is boring. The day Ferrari goes full EV is the day the company start the downward spiral.

[@batmikipig]

@@v4skunk739 holy words. Lotus and alpine will be the fir6

[@chokeyouchokeme]

That’s the hybrid system, in this car, that makes you have torque and power at any RPM number. Hybridation on this car is not not save gas, it’s to add power.

[@Tousanx]

The design of this car isn’t very attractive. They need to bring back the previous design studio

[@jo05dk]

It's the Ferrari Dino, inspired by Prius.

[@mightbesherwood1313]

If a Prius sounded like that I’d buy two.

[@jo05dk]

@@mightbesherwood1313 Just buy a Maxhaust, and you can have your Prius sound anyway you want.

[@jonfrank2566]

This video says more about where Autocar are at the moment than where Ferrari are...

[@MOSSFEEN]

If you took off the Ferrari badges it looks like the Corvette

[@benhur_9377]

👍❤️🔥

[@SoCalFreelance]

Ever wonder why Jay Leno doesn't own a Ferrari? Watch the video "Jay Leno on Why He Refuses to Buy a Ferrari"

[@jafooli]

He misses out on owning some of the best cars ever made

[@v4skunk739]

You can walk into a Ferrari showroom and order any car brand new except a "special" like the next gen hypercar or a hardcore variant of a normal model. It is the same at Porsche also.

[@SoCalFreelance]

@@v4skunk739 It's more than that, it's about the customer experience, and nickel-and-diming their customers. Watch the video I referenced.

[@jambear7862]

No

[@wheelieboychhayank]

Didn’t like the way car was presented, this presenter/tester doesn’t have the desired energy levels and precision. The comparisons and details were very tacky and unprofessional. Autocar? What happened? You got better presenters and such great reviews, but dissappointed by this one! Expected more in depth- details , review and facts on the 296 GTB except of listening to words like ‘ pretty compliant car, not as effective as 720S etc. ‘ Who say’s that?

[@cyprusdaedalus]

Am I the only one hearing all of the creaking coming from the interior of the car? Yeeeeesh.

[@Leo_Vasileio]

Most of these so called ferrari convertibles are targas

[@andygtv]

Not a nice design confused,, bland, shame really will never be remembered and sound engine is underwhelming

[@Greatgoku4]

I'm glad the other presenter who did the 911 gt3rs didn't do this one. I can't believe how bad that guy was that he turned one of the best cars of all time into a yawnfest....Jesus. if I ever see another video with horrible presenters again I'm out and gonna boycott Autocar after so many years

[@bryancastro977]

the 296 is nice but there's something about it that doesn't attract me to it

[@flyingphoenix113]

The engineering is brilliant, but I find the car hideous personally. I know a lot of reviewers have praised its looks, but I haven't met a since F8 or 488 owner who was genuinely excited about the looks (and many of whom thought it was the ugliest rear-mid engine Ferrari since the Mondial).

[@leer2001Bullitt]

That title might actually belong to the new C8 Corvette Z06.

[@biggabutdalltheway2175]

Not a fan of its looks, it reminds me of a Lotus then from the front a Corvette

[@iFumoffu]

2:16 lots of squeaks and rattles oof

[@dickcheese663]

probably the camera set up

[@Lessdeth14]

Looks like a Corvette..

[@chokeyouchokeme]

I’d rather say that the C8 Corvette looks like this Ferrari. BTW the C8 Corvette is based on a Ferrari 458 Italia, engine and all. It’s a sort of copy.

[@realitykicksin8755]

Sorry .... McLaren has lost this game to Ferrari years ago. I don't think they are in the same league anymore.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Maybe I your eyes

[@jameswillard1]

@Reality Kicks in how so? 🤔 The presenter just said this car is dynamically compromised compared to a Mclaren

[@fdsm9211]

The front looks old Camaro-ish.

[@eugenepark9665]

I really dislike the new "thin" rear tail lights from the Roma; and of course the haptic controls continue to suck

[@mubblemann]

Shocking news! A car looks slightly like another car!

[@fdsm9211]

@@mubblemann looks like a "cheaper" car.

[@nali9345]

You cant call these new cars for spyder. They are Targa’s

[@johnsmith1474]

See Harry's Garage for a proper review of this.

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

Harry hasn't driven this yet. You need to brush up on your Ferraris.

[@nastystew6942]

Yaya! Another car built on the 488 chassis

[@Mr995pippo]

McLaren has one chassis and one block for all the cars. And they are amazing as Ferraris. The problem is the look, for sure not the tech behind

[@pauln0371]

This isn't based in the 458/488 chassis at all. For a start it's got a far shorter wheelbase. Not to mention the packaging for the Hybrid system and the better torsional stiffness....

[@nastystew6942]

@@pauln0371 but the McLaren 570 and the Senna is on the same chassis and the 570 has a shorter wheel base! Maybe the Ferrari isn't but it looks just like every thing else! I know it's supposed to pay homage to the Dino without calling it a Dino bit it looks so similar to the other Ferrari cars

[@douchetimes]

Nah it's too ugly

[@BOF303]

usually like new ferraris but damn this is ugly

[@fdsm9211]

And I thought it was only me.

[@Sandouras]

It’s seriously ugly from the front though.

[@Don-pk2uy]

Just such a safe and boring design 🙄

[@hhussain7923]

Ugly car

[@michaellawrence7570]

Garbage ferrari

[@Ruben98RaptoR]

A Z06 Corvette will beat this Ferrari for half the price... 🥱🥱🥱

[@mstrax0258]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@AP13P]

820hp hybrid vs 670hp. I don't think so.