Is the Ferrari 296 GTB Good Enough to Live With? - Two Takes

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The new Ferrari 296 GTB is stupidly quick. It finally feels like something that can truly keep up on the road or track with a McLaren 720S. And it feels lighter on its feet than its 3,700 lb curb weight would suggest. It has great brakes, razor sharp steering, and as long as you don't get the Fiorano Track Pack, an excellent ride. But it's user interfaces for basic functions like the radio, CarPlay, and vehicle settings menus are buggy, poorly designed, and sometimes infuriating. It's a great supercar, for sure, but is it worth the everyday headaches?
Ferrari provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
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The Ferrari 296 GTB Nails Hybrid Supercar Power, But is Tough to Live With - Two Takes
#ferrari296gtb
#296gtb

[@TheSmokingTire]

What do you think of the 296’s sound?

[@higB0x05]

doesnt sound that good imo

[@kingofcars442]

I got to ride in one over the summer. I find it so interesting that it sounds like an F8 up until about 3,500 RPM. Sounds a lot better than the F8 beyond that, a lot like a V12 as you mentioned

[@MarcSob22]

Amazing!!

[@corystansbury]

Much better than the turbo V-8s

[@S8ER]

I'll take a slower car that sounds better and keep the change. I am sure Ferarri will still sell every one of these but I when I hear a Ferrari and go meh...damn.

[@sadas1211]

As a Prius owner I may consider this for my next hybrid

[@mprism7985]

all those fuel savings was enough for you to buy a ferrari huh

[@BrazenRain]

Or a new Prius. The headlights bear a resemblance

[@jcsdesign]

The 296 is a bit of a jump from a Prius. Maybe you should consider a slightly used LaFerrari.

[@kalasend]

Please post the video as you drive your Prius into Ferrari dealer and request a test drive

[@bp8__163]

Me too, basically a red prius prime☠️

[@ismailbeygirci9394]

im blown away by how good it sounds i was not expecting it.

[@dj_laundry_list]

im spooled at how good it sounds

[@darogers125]

Close your eyes and listen to it without thinking of the cars it’s so weird. It sounds mostly like a lower revving 12 to me but it’s amazing!

[@MarcSob22]

A friend from the south of France has been using the 296 daily since he got it, it has almost 10000km on it, what an incredible machine! And now it's getting a direct exhaust to further improve the already very good sound! Gorgeous machine!

[@agreatd]

Not until they get rid of capacitive start

[@aspiresupreme5331]

Exactly what i want to hear. Now, i have half a mind to flip my Lotus Emira order & go for this baby V12. My only fear then was its perceived heavy maintenance & the question of whether the engine will be as reliable as the Toyota V6 engine in Emira.

[@chrisgeorge84]

@@aspiresupreme5331your not buying a Ferrari lol

[@stefndogg]

Car Designer here(for another OEM). I think they knocked it out of the park with this one, styling wise. Nice to see Ferrari back to making pretty cars again. They have had some very odd "designed in the wind tunnel" designs the last decade, so its refreshing to a more cohesive overall aesthetic with this and the Roma. The last Ferrari I had a good amount of seat time in was the 488, which was pretty damn fast, so I'm sure this is batshit fast in person.

[@pereldh5741]

You mean the ”post-Pininfarina-era” yeah the 296 seems like the odd-one-out, the one that doesn’t look like shit. Which seems like a happy accident to me.

[@indiebekonn]

@@pereldh5741 458 and F12 were Pininfarina designs if I remember correctly but they definitely weren’t pretty. The “wind tunnel” design was probably the worst Ferrari design period ever. Pininfarina and in-house.

[@realitykicksin8755]

Sorry but I disagree. The Ferrari Pista is the nicest Ferrari ever.

[@CarsandChris]

​@@indiebekonn the 360 is one of the ugliest ferraris ever made

[@MaxB00M]

The only ugly ferraris they built in the last couple years are the portofino and the 812 competizione, the rest looks great. from roma all the way to sf90 through 812 sf and f8 tributo

[@spencercohen2673]

By no means a huge Ferrari fan but wow. Speechless. What a car. Any true petrolhead knows how special this thing is.

[@tmolne117]

I think they finally nailed the NEW STYLING. It’s been a miss for me so far but this one reminds me of their old 60s race cars, like the 250LM

[@danieldickerson4838]

I feel like this is the new benchmark in a lot of ways. Ferrari absolutely nailed it with the 296, like… There isn’t much right now from the other super car owners that compares with the performance of this thing.

[@_Chev_Chelios]

Well, except for the Z06 (which will spank it 0-60).

[@lambosteve1000]

This is the first video where I could visibly see bumpy road mode at work as you transitioned modes. Very cool

[@AZPB12]

Rear quarter reminds me a lot of an og Ford GT.

[@bmx687]

Ferrari San Antonio invited me to the test drive/ reveal. I drive an Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. I opted not to drive, but to ride along. I was extremely impressed. I enjoyed the shorter wheel base and smaller foot print. Also, it's rear wheel drive; different character to sf90

[@timmaher6146]

you guys forgot to mention the Maserati MC20 which you already reviewed and seemed to love.

[@mornadu]

Best looking modern ferrari

[@carscoffeeandcannabis-634]

Ehhhhh I guess it depends on what you consider modern lol. Is the 458 a modern Ferrari? The 360? Hell, I don't think it looks better than a Pista either

[@jameswillard1]

That 458/488/F8/Pista body style was so played out, they literally stretched it for every last bit over nearly 13 years was definitely time for something new and fresh

[@indiebekonn]

The best looking one since the F550!

[@f0gGenx]

@@jameswillard1 They stretched it out nearly 13 years because it looked so good. But yeah, it was time for a change.

[@Trendyflute]

This is the first supercar that's excited me for years, plug-in hybridization makes so much sense for sporty applications moving forward, this car feels like Ferrari striding into the next era with confidence and that's good news for sports car fans. Holy jeebus that beeping though!

[@thirdpedalnirvana]

I know 120 degree V6's are practically nonexistent, but as a 6 cylinder aficionado, I'm starting to get it. Inline sixes are lovely because they have such buttery torque, but they don't get zippy because of the long crankshaft. Flat 6's gain all that zippyness back, but they lack that low down torque. V6's always feel the most compromised, with huge variability between different models depending on the particular design. Some are muscley like a Z car, some are smooth like a J motor, but almost all 90 and 60 degree V6's feel in some way compromised. But the 120 degree V6.... sure it needs a balance shaft, so does a flat plane crank V8. The crankshaft is the same length as a flat six, but it weighs less, because it doesn't need split crank pins. And at 120 degrees rather than 180 degrees, the premium on piston stroke length isn't quite so space intensive, so it can make more torque. I think the 120 degree V6 is going to take the internal combustion world by storm, for however long that world lasts.

[@iancole85]

Nice post man

[@chrisgeorge84]

What’s the best v6 in your opinion to get solid power without hurting anything by over tuning? Something that will just rip and not get hurt.

[@bobsagit10]

That Zach laugh at 14:52 is such a Matt Farrah chuckle. That’s how you know you’re buds/spend hella time together you start laughing Thebsame

[@zeo99]

The exterior paint is actually Rosso imola, the launch colour of the 296 gtb. The red trim on the interior is Rosso Ferrari.

[@electrikoptik]

Of the current V6 supercars you can buy this is the best sounding one.

[@RetrocarStyle]

Wow that V6 sounds like a flat plane V8....what a wonderful engine note!

[@nfareview]

We have a 296GTS on order. Can't wait!

[@jryalls]

Right before Matt says “isn’t wild how little steering input you have to use” you can tell he just had a mid corner brown moment when he thought Matt wasn’t turning enough. 17:35

[@zbatchDOC]

Reminds me of the 4C. It’s literally a more powerful 4c with a hybrid powertrain

[@DavidMadden77]

Except the 4C you had to be a midget to drive. I'm 6'2" and didn't fit in a 4C and in the 296 I was perfectly comfortable.

[@kalmmonke5037]

reminds me of pagani, the way it looks flat then curves around the wheel.

[@mogulme6190]

@@DavidMadden77 anything less than 6’2 isn’t a midget Dave

[@iancole85]

@@mogulme6190 it literally is

[@somedonkus69420]

@@mogulme6190 sounds like something someone under 6" would say 🤔

[@macattack57]

I'm OK with a V6 being in this. From all the V6s I've heard, this is one of my favorites. Does the 458 sound better? Yes, but for a V6, this sounds fantastic. I think it sounds better than the turbo V8 in the 488.

[@Panama00807]

This def sounds better than the gtb but not the pista lol

[@dds39941]

Any clarification on whether the 296 is actually the replacement for the f8? Seems odd that we wouldn’t get a track special version of the F8 before it goes

[@JBsC6]

My favorite is the 296 GTS as I like drop tops . Very nice Thanks for the review

[@theGermanXperience]

The fact that cars are still being compared to the 720, 7 years later, is incredible

[@chrisgeorge84]

They lied more than most car companies when quoting power numbers. It’s basically 720 to the wheels which is over 800hp at the crank.

[@chrisgeorge84]

But I agree. Mclarens hybrid super car is gonna be nuts.

[@tomranum6]

Would be nice if there was an option of analog instruments. This is like Timex but I want a Patek

[@jadonschantz9142]

Happy to see cars are getting better yet despite epa restrictions

[@Far2hip]

I appreciate the comment “faster than I need it to be” in the context that it’s definitely nice to have that power headroom to work with at all times and never feel the need or want for more power. That is the brilliance of the sort of power these new super cars delivers. There is always enough power to give you a maximum of satisfaction in the driving experience which includes clearly knowing when you are tickling your limits as well as the car’s limits in the environment you’re engaging with. I just love how well these days companies like Ferrari remain focused on the driving experience as a whole, yet deliver a scale of engagement that’s as broad as the mood you’re in on any given day. Very cool to be able to enjoy where technology has taken the driving experience. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@md-8866]

I drove one in maranello - my first ride in a Ferrari was in an F40. I remember the emotion / sound / feeling of that car. For all of the bad talk about the V6 and hybrids, this car was not lacking in any of those categories. It sounds unbelievable and is very exciting to drive.

[@quaCkeh]

I'm sure someone pointed this out a long time ago, but the plaque says that this paint is called rosso imola.

[@jazlally4144]

Great review - It would be nice if you guys can use a polarizing filter to reduce the amount of glare on your videos

[@iancole85]

296 GTS on order. Stoked!

[@joeleonard9965]

Does it actually sound good in person? Did a 458 not seem better in every way?

[@KarmaticEvolution]

00:59 That is such an interesting shape on the valve covers, wonder what is the thought process behind it. It looks dented but I am sure they designed it that way for a particular reason.

[@ereisenheim9896]

Those are just covers for the turbos and wastegates, more of a heatshield/styling piece than anything else. The actual valve covers are way under, it's a 120° dry sump unit, it sits incredibly low on the car.

[@KarmaticEvolution]

@@ereisenheim9896 Ahhh, thanks!

[@bjornjochems]

I loved driving this, my first experience with Ferrari and I understand why people want this. Didn't like the touch buttons but loved all the rest. The hybrid was perfectly and it was amazing.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Beeps loudly and incessantly at you with multiple pop-up windows on the dashboard when you don't have the seatbelt on, but has over 800HP to toss you off a cliff! Gotta love the absurdity of that situation. Regardless - what a fantastic car! What a beauty!

[@mistamaog]

It sounds great from the outside, although a bit weird on the inside at higher rpms

[@Antisocial-ist]

one of the best looking cars made in a while

[@sergiopereira9546]

cool but i would still go for an older ferrari like a f430 spyder manual ,355 or any 458

[@alpe6228]

that option list is just straight up awesome.

[@iamdrewzie]

to see how quick you're going zachary... I'm crying Matt.

[@franksala3171]

As a current owner of a 458 Spider and a 812 GTS , I rather buy a new Z06 corvette with a 5.5 liter engine copied from the 458 for $250,000 less and a 0-60 in 2.6 seconds .

[@martzink]

I like this model. well done!

[@caeserromero3013]

If you can afford a $300k sports car, why would you be worried about London taxes?

[@eichler721]

This car looks great and the engine sounds phenomenal for a V6 and the handling from every review is that it's amazing. I can't wait to see one in person. The only sad part is I am buying a 435k house so I can't afford this car.

[@pikachusolu1606]

what is the retail on one of these?

[@eichler721]

@@pikachusolu1606 starting is 322,986 dollars base.

[@pikachusolu1606]

@@eichler721 thanks!

[@Justin_GFM]

@@pikachusolu1606 “More than you can afford pal”

[@papapetad]

Sounds very good. For that kind of money, I'd grab a F12 Berlinetta and a Cayman gt4 😂

[@jeffreykilpatrick3592]

Matt - what about the carbon fiber seats in terms of comfort- say as compared to the Porsche 911 carbon seats? I believe Ferrari has two sizes for the carbon bucket seats - standard and large. Were the seats the large version- would D you take the comfort seats or the large bucket seats?

[@hockeymann88]

It's definitely great looking. Seems like the weight is reasonable considering the hybrid system.

[@barryfastcars25]

This motor is amazing. I do dream of a world where this model is called Ferrari 508 GTB using, you guessed it, a naturally aspirated 5.0 liter V8 with the hybrid system for exactly 800hp.

[@Mexxx65]

Nice early X-mas car video!!!! :) :) Thanks Matt & Zack

[@rjnation5042]

I'd bet my life there's some SF90 owner's kicking themselves to death with the release of this little beastie, I'd love to get one, but the cost over here is going to be horrendous with the taxes in Oz, Rj in Oz

[@barryfastcars25]

The rear window is vertical like the GTS, it should be able to lower down like the Spyder, that would be sooo sick on the Coupe.

[@occ6359]

It‘s Rosso Imola. Some indoor applications are maybe Rosso Ferrari.

[@davidsteinhour5562]

You guys are top notch. This is a rad car. All good things.

[@mariosmatzakanis]

The F8 doesn't sound good from factory due to the petrol particulate filter With an exhaust though ex. Gintani it sounds amazing! (+ a lot more power) Don't get me wrong 296 sounds pretty good for a V6 Chris Harris said the same thing as Matt about the sound and I believe them.

[@nateisright]

I like the shape. The power plant is acceptable. The seats are bearable. I just cannot abide the touchscreen, capacitive touch BS. It always seems to look dirty. It’s almost impossible to use without looking at it. The only advantage is that it doesn’t get “sticky” like the physical buttons used to.

[@commanderrussels2612]

yeah my 458 buttons are maximum sticky now

[@crowntug]

Love the slow-mo through that big whoop

[@barryfastcars25]

I desperately wish that F1 would adopt a 120 degree V angle option. They would sound better than the 90 degree for sure. Inline 6 F1 engine would sound the best.

[@louisshambarger2230]

120 degree V-6! I have wondered for some time why someone doesn’t do that. Maybe they have and I just didn’t know about it

[@johnnygreen5642]

I just found out that Ferrari as a company wont let u modify ur car that u bought crazy

[@darkchild130]

Rear end looks like an SF90 and an original GT40 smooshed together

[@Kmaaq]

Despite what ferrari says qualify mode charges the battery faster and keeps it topped up (in the case of spirited driving)

[@YasumotoUS]

That is a good looking car looking at the overall proportions. I keep on seeing Ferrari's current early-90's Camero nose and headlight design. For me, that's not a good thing. I will never own or drive this car, let's be honest. So, my perception of the design doesn't carry much weight. The power plant sounds amazing and that power number is crazy.

[@HoratioHoodoo]

Farah's personality matched this blob shape much better

[@firefox39693]

I like it, I can't agree it's better looking than the SF90.

[@AJwiththeAK]

This is absolutely the new standard. All I’ve heard about the 296 is love and praise and it makes me so happy to see the prancing horse hit the nail on the head

[@cavedog1279]

Video starts at 3:30

[@mikelyon5595]

Gorgeous: I think it looks and sounds better than the 458 and 488. But I would still buy the 992 Turbo S!

[@franksala3171]

As a 458 owner , dream on that sounds better then a 458 .

[@franksala3171]

My GUILIA quadrifoglio sounds similar since Ferrari developed it

[@Wouter-van-der-Molen]

much more fun and practical than the SF-90 but for much less! Who cares about the SF-90 anymore :)

[@jameswillard1]

I agree. The SF90 always looked like the prototype mid engined Corvette that GM was teasing in the 1980’s and 90’s. Super generic “supercar” looks

[@hockey4life4560]

This is awesome, it sounds amazing. It's a rocketship! Market the performance rather than the cylinders and you've got a big seller for Ferrari.

[@Casey_J96]

Sounds surprisingly good! Also one of the most beautiful Ferraris in a while. The F8 and 488 just don’t catch the eye like this

[@alpe6228]

This is the future,hybrid.Not electric,never been and never will.

[@asmcar23]

I liked how it sounded from the outside, but then I heard the pumped-in fake engine noise from the inside…

[@joshivy7792]

I slept on this episode and is on my second favorite stretch of so called road

[@dair919]

Sounds like it's fitted with a V12!

[@TheeDutchRutter]

This was exciting to watch!

[@XR4turbo]

What about c8 Z06?

[@tylerbetthauser7647]

Matt looked kinda uncomfortable in the passenger seat...is that the angle of the camera or seat position?

[@jackal2513]

Great content as usual. Couple of thoughts… Artura isn’t a competitor, not even a legitimate product 😂 they already threw 950 of them away ! Nobody will buy one who knows. Second, I found Fiorano pack to be just fine around the rough roads of Maranello.

[@SlumRacing]

You guys didn't mention the mc20?

[@shaunrizzolo6175]

I really wish automakers would make a performance plug in for under 60k ish but seems like it’s going all EV or staying gas

[@nichijou56]

Zack going gnome mode: 7:15 8:25

[@jeffreykilpatrick3592]

“Not bad” - ? Stuff on the steering wheel - is “confusing” - because you h have not read the manual - or spent several hours learning about the controls like an actual owner would do in his garage --

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

God damn it's beautiful... Without the two tone paint.

[@dompdgaf]

What pictures does Zack have of you that you keep him around?

[@heyhayhay247]

I will never understand your love of the co-pilot screen. What a waste of money...

[@Cloxxki]

Look what you have done! Now I want to go binge watch some Laurel and Hardy.

[@AnythingEvil78]

Sounds better than the Ferrari V8s

[@clutchcarabelli8054]

That might be my favorite looking Ferrari ever , that thing is purdy

[@commanderrussels2612]

10:26 why did it scrape?

[@bugsy791]

That Apple Carplay option on the plaque is still an insult after all these years

[@jackrosen1433]

you wouldn't want to take the Artura on the bumpy road at those speeds

[@chrisw.2492]

It looks so much better without the stickers on the hood.

[@fbabb2062]

It's an attractive car, the performance tech is top notch, and it's certainly fast. Still I can't escape the feeling that these will be languishing on used car lots at bargain prices in coming years. Well executed as it is, it feels like an ESG homologation special.

[@bmx687]

Preserving value is built into Ferraris business model. Unlike Chevrolet, Ferrari avoids cranking out cars in mass number. The C8stingray will sit on lots as a bargain. The 296 will not

[@notdreadyet33]

Beautiful car, but why do you keep calling Tanner, "Zach?"

[@bennyb.1742]

cool to see it without the absolutely gross blue stripe and blue wheels.

[@2bunphettered788]

Love the candor. 👍

[@FFA704]

my 2005 nissan maxima had break vectoring lol

[@thosebostoncats6942]

They Ht a Home Run with this One !!!!!!!!

[@KaurinthHeueldingse]

i want a car that can do 1ltr and 4ltr on switching like renault.