Leader or Follower? | Ferrari 296 GTS

Is the 828HP drop-top hybrid changing the game or going along with it?
The 2023 Ferrari 296 GTS is the everything Ferrari. It has a million horsepower (ok, 828HP), a retractable hard top, and can leave your garage silently in electric mode should you want to. It will also hit 60MPH in 2.9, 124MPH in just over 7 seconds, and a top speed of 205MPH. The base price is $317,000 and the options quickly add up.
It's heavier than the F8 Tributo, but it's also 50mm shorter, making it feel more nimble.
Our test car had the track-oriented Assetto Fiorano package, whose carbon fiber parts increase downforce by 20kg and saves 8kg of weight. Most importantly, the Magnetic Ride shocks of the standard car are replaced with adjustable Multimatic dampers.
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[@TheSmokingTire]

What do you think of supercars with an EV mode? Would you use it?

[@Nord_Mann]

Yes I would, but rather get a GT-Porsche with the NA Motorsport engine over this Ferrari. But it does look good, especially without the Fiorano package

[@tapior]

The lower CO2 rating due to the EV mode does wonders for the pricing in some markets. Up here in Finland, the automotive tax on new cars (and imported used cars) is directly based on the CO2 rating. Starting from 0% for full EVs and up to 48,9% for cars with 359 g/km CO2 or more. The tax is also applied on all factory options so a 16,5% tax rate on the hybrid 296 vs. a 44% tax rate on an F8 makes for a big stack of euros. 😅

[@TheSmokingTire]

Whoooaaaaaaaa

[@tapior]

@@TheSmokingTire …and still they sell a few 812 Superfasts with a 366 g/km CO2 rating and thus the highest tax rate. Granted, there are possibilities for a partial tax refund if you sell the car out of country at some point before the end of the assumed life span of a car. But it makes you wonder on just how much you want the N/A V12 experience compared to the ”piccolo V12”.🤔

[@ahest123]

I'm certainly not in the tax bracket to worry about such things, but it would be great to be able to sneak out of your neighborhood for an early morning rip without waking up all of your neighbors.

[@Gandalf_The_Jacked]

Zach has grown into this role so well. I remember when the initial announcement happened, the response was pretty negative (vocal minority maybe?). I was pretty skeptical too--what would TST be without Matt leading most of the videos? Took a break from videos for a while, but have been starting to watch more frequently again, and man, Zach is good. Great work guys, especially Zach!

[@TheSmokingTire]

Really appreciate that. Thanks Aybars.

[@cutsomeone]

The modified strategy of easing Zach into the roll as part of the team was the best thing they could have ever done for everyone. It’s hard to imagine anyone filling Matt’s shoes. As far as clout/respect, his opinion is right up there with Chris Harris, and Henry Catchpole. You can’t just replace a legend with someone people haven’t yet learned to trust. But as a familiar face and stand alone member of the team Zach rocks!

[@PlatinumPegasisxD]

Agreed!

[@eb110americana]

I was pretty much the same at first, "Who's this guy? This isn't the real thing without Matt." But with all due respect to Farrah, I've grown to prefer Zack's reviews for some time now. Honestly, this review was a level-up for Zack. I'd say it wasn't really a One-Take in format, but it is the appropriate format for reviewing a new Ferrari as significant as the 296 GTS. This piece had a level of polish and articulate narrative you should really be proud of, Zack.

[@nicebergslim]

matt's reaction was hilarious

[@martinramirez6050]

He was jealous as hell lol

[@leequesada439]

@@martinramirez6050 Yea but u know this guy's way more jealous of Matt. Matt gets all the real good stuff.

[@agreatd]

@@martinramirez6050 but jealious in a good way, not evil shitty way

[@tyler9703]

Matt's confusion was so fucking funny 🤣

[@HamburglarBunz]

The visible "I've made a terrible mistake" on his face lol.

[@briankennedy6693]

Awesome integration of the pod cast into the car review!

[@KUROSHURA]

I love the Ethos behind The Smoking Tire. Matt Farrah always had a Layman’s approach to supercars and never had a “holier than thou because I’m rich” attitude when it comes to his reviews. Zach just explained a lot of cool Tech in a pragmatic manner.

[@dericanslum1696]

...because he's a trust fund baby with no need to...

[@TypeVertigo]

Agreed. The haters who keep ragging on Matt being "born from money" really haven't been following him long enough to know that he's been through his fair share of hardship with KZbin, and that he's had to hustle hard to come out on top.

[@bmx687]

Love seeing Zack reviewer higher end cars on his lonesome!!! Awesome!!! Love Matt and Love Zack too!

[@neddleman26]

Echoing the praise in how well this review is produced. Absolutely loved this one; glad you made the trip to Italy for us!!

[@TheSmokingTire]

I'm doing the hard work so that you don't have to. - ZK

[@jacksonblake7427]

Awesome work Zack. Against some of the other top tier journalists, this 296 review is the best I’ve seen. Keep up the great work mate.

[@TheSmokingTire]

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[@cutsomeone]

I’m glad you mentioned the lack of v12 resonance. I’ve heard v6’s that (from the right distance or in the right tunnel) could be confused with either a v12 or at least some sort of racecar, and although this has character I think it misses out on both. That said… there IS still room for novitec and the aftermarket world to make this thing sound otherworldly.

[@TheSmokingTire]

I agree that an aftermarket exhaust could wake the sound up and bring it closer to the V12 wail. Car companies have to comply with many noise regulations so they can only do so much. - Zack

[@phaphaphooey]

Good job Zach. This is on a different level than the normal TST content. It is clear you spent a ton of time on this video. I had stopped watching TST but I will have to tune in for your reviews if they are all like this. Well done.

[@johns997.1]

Might be Zack's best review yet. Well done sir, Matt is lucky to have you on the team 🤙

[@TypeVertigo]

Try watching his R34 Skyline GT-R one-take video from a couple months ago. That was my favorite so far. This is a worthy second

[@Erock-qx5fn]

I had the pleasure of driving this car. In person the engine sounds great and does not sound like a V6 at all. I was impressed.

[@papa_pt]

it sounds like a V6. Listen to Dino 206, 246, r35

[@jareknowak8712]

Thats 120 degrees between cylinder banks, not typical 60. Sounds superb!

[@johnnyboy1586]

I saw one in the flesh driving towards me and was wowed by how beautiful it looked ,it didnt have that ugly blue extra paint design on the front which looked so much better!

[@technom3598]

I like it

[@NDEEZMiata]

It looks like a clown with that blue paint 🤣

[@kellinpatler]

This review was awesome Zack. Loved the blend of comedic relief and technical detail!

[@NoBrakes23]

Acura is killing it with this edition of the NSX

[@heavyjunkops]

The ability to move silently through the center of my small NH town is one of my favorite things about my Panamera E-hybrid. I hope hybrid systems become the norm instead of full EVs.

[@Kmaaq]

Yes! Hybrids are great and I hope battery technology can advance quicker so we don’t have the weight disadvantage anymore. I think (and hope) hybrid technology will bring back N/A high revving engines since they can take over the duties of turbos such as torque filling, emissions and power.

[@randomocityvideos]

I think they’ll have to, at least for the time being. Infrastructure shortcomings won’t allow full EV integration anytime soon- the solution likely being more hybrids in the short-term. Fine by me.

[@joseph_8486]

Lmao poor Dino. A Dino badge on this car would have fit so perfectly.

[@koal7]

I really enjoy this more edited and curated content from you guys. I love the one take model too but this video really stands out as a step up in production value and information delivery.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Thanks! Just with the views justified the extra shooting/editing. - ZK

[@alvin.holbrook]

Great video, Zack. This style worked well with the Range Rover review and it works well here too. Brings a lot of information when you can't spend as much time as you normally do to parse how a car drives.

[@Labergemusic]

Genius of Zach to not even touch the paint job lmao

[@stevenh766]

You're telling me I don't have to stand on the rev limiter any time I pull up to a stoplight!?!?! I wish this memo was delivered at orientation for all cars in this class.

[@avery4528]

I like the idea of the car not having emissions while in cities. You live out in an estate outside the city limits with winding roads and when you get to the city you can switch to an EV mode. Impossible to speculate how this will play out in the United States.

[@technom3598]

I love them

[@gclar014]

love the time you took at the beginning outside of the car to point out everything

[@johnn1250]

I think the 296 looks a lot better than the F8 and SF90.

[@eichler721]

Great review Zach and the 296GTS is amazing as a car and I love the sounds it's different. Matt's reaction in the beginning was hilarious as well

[@Simas306]

Great review Zack, better and better every time. Mel Gibson reference was hilarious!

[@Vince1986]

Frikkin love the video! Great narrating, Zack

[@jonathanehlen9938]

One the best episodes from Zach. Really enjoyed this episode. Felt like I was driving the car with him.

[@jaybrockmeyer9218]

A very thorough and excellent review, many thanks.

[@stephaneasselin3359]

Awesome review, great job Zack

[@pr33tu_]

Love your reviews bro, so much knowledge

[@ahest123]

Crushing it Zach! So good to see you on your own, really great stage presence!

[@Kobayashi360]

Putting in contact lenses while running 😅👏👏👏 Love the 296 - major return to form for Ferrari. The 488 and F8 just the same buffet chicken served up too many times.

[@AleksandrPapeko]

1:32 is that a crack in the middle?

[@NateBee]

Looks to be.

[@JaymeLaplante]

It seems that the piece is more than a single part, but it definitely isn't aligned!

[@mitchellsteindler]

Best ferrari since the 458...as someone who's never been in a car remotely similar to this.

[@norgtube]

Excellent production, zachary!

[@stevenhernandez2108]

Zach your best review man! So thorough I could buy this thing without a test drive!

[@TK-_-421]

If I saw a Ferrari or any other supercar rolling by silently, I would be severely disappointed.

[@dericanslum1696]

...I'm sure everyone will take that into consideration when deciding how many billions they should make from this nonsense...

[@RealRaynedance]

Bad news: The LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 are all capable of doing that.

[@PookDaWook]

Damn impressive, and damn beautiful (except for those silly hammerhead decals). 8500rpm redline in a turbo engine is pretty amazing.

[@MarcSob22]

I love the 296, gorgeous machine!! Perfect modern version of the 250LM

[@boostav]

They fckd up the rear lights both on this and the SF90, should have never moved away from the iconic circular ones.

[@McNasty43]

The V6 does have a little of the trombone sound, but it's easily one of the best sounding V6's I've ever heard.

[@michaelandersson6088]

Great review Zack! :)

[@Ryan-fg3pe]

This was my favorite Zack review so far, well done! That said, I can’t imagine buying this over an F8.

[@homanasiri843]

totally agree

[@shark11175]

Beautiful work Zach

[@Kmaaq]

I had a 720 and drove a couple of Ferrari turbo V8’s and I don’t like their sound at all. Very drone-y and monotone just like a vacuum. The V6 sounds so much better to me, and curiously it sounds better on the inside than out, which is the first car that comes to mind that is like that.

[@jareknowak8712]

It sounds superb!!

[@namas000]

fantastic video, great review

[@rayestefania3725]

Zach has really grown into his more prominent role. Matt is still the heart of TST but Zach is doing some great videos too!

[@guillaumechauvet]

Hey the reason ferrari EV integration is so good is that its Trickle down from formula 1. They've been using the v6 turbo hybrid since like 2013. By now they are good at it, and ferrari selling such expensive cars makes so the tech Trickle down is more direct compared to honda let's say. I heard u guys talk about that in the podcast! Cheers

[@Falnky]

Whoa Matt's looking fit! Great job dude😄

[@papayaman123]

1:50 the bumper is already cracked...

[@b.newsome8696]

You did such a good job man..loved it

[@MarshallHurtado]

Watching this was an absolute pleasure, give this man a raise!

[@MJ-ec6sh]

Great job Zack

[@98gtblue]

Great intro guys. Enjoy the transitions

[@superchargedturbo]

Great work! Love TST

[@mikegaul1623]

Great video, Zach!

[@lknanml]

"I don't speak the language. How do you say can I make you laugh so you don't shank me or stick it to me?" That would be - "Hai una bella bocca. Perché non vieni qui e ti siedi sulle ginocchia di papà"

[@tjord]

a different kind of sticking it

[@stevenwilliams1805]

👆😅😂🤣

[@owenmcnamara1858]

Loving the production quality and voice overs in this video

[@solonanderson7019]

I've got a question about the inconel exhaust is it lighter because of the heat resistant characteristics of in canal allowing the tubes to be thinner or is it the same wall thicknesses of tubes the material is just lighter or is it straight up just engineered to be a lighter system and the inconel has zero relevant mechanical properties

[@hoperdepop]

I like that Zack is considering the people with hair in the review.

[@kurlyfry7916]

That opening was golden! Absolutely hilarious

[@atascatorDAOC]

I dont understand wheres the problem with the sound of the 370Z VQ Nissan engines have an awesome sound

[@SwapBlogRU]

I do have to disagree with your assessment of how a V6 sounds. It's all a matter of taste imo. I personally love the sound of a good V6. This one sounds a bit like a GT-R btw.

[@thetumanshow]

Great review Zack

[@felixtannenbaum]

i cant imagine talking about this car and not spending an hour praising how beautiful it is...

[@Trapper50cal]

GT-40 vibe is strong with that paint job...the irony.

[@Autophorie]

04:05 best moment so far :D #TeamNoShowOffButton

[@heinedenmark]

Ferrari really spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel

[@Swifty2633]

Great job Zack!

[@porscheguy5848]

Gotta say, I like this type of intro and review better than the 1 takes. Excellent job Zack. Killed it

[@stigmsr1]

All I can think of with that paint scheme is someone at a track day trying to be clever with their blue painter's tape. Zack did a great job and the car seems pretty cool.

[@matthewsimmons2008]

Zack you killed this review!

[@TheHoosiers2008]

Great advertisement, I'm glad you followed through on your end of the deal. Hybrid V-6's are great, and if you miss the V-8 and disagree you're banned.

[@georgegilmour540]

At 1/3 the price, I’ll take a z06.

[@m.j4037]

Sounds like an R35 GTR. That's not a bad thing.

[@steveo7220phx]

Solid review

[@Anouyz]

Zack really rubbin it in with the podcast clip lol. I felt matts disappoint so much when I watched that episode

[@REALZEUS1]

There is no update on the touch buttons. You just had the sleep function enabled. You can also enable it on the SF90 Stradale. Also, since you mentioned it, the V6 is less powerful than the V8 in the F8, but with the electric assistance it ends up being a much more powerful car.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Yeah I got the power spec of the 488 not F8.

[@Anouyz]

I love ferraris direction with the new almost retro styling

[@robpole6229]

Great job Zack - you need to be sent to Italy more often 🙂

[@PookDaWook]

Does anyone know if the USDM versions of these new Euro cars also come with the new particulate filters?

[@ChristopherGuilday]

I don’t understand, Matt said this car “almost” makes as much HP as the Ferrari F8, but this car makes 800+ HP and the Ferrari F8 makes 720hp? What am I missing? Is he just talking about the engine’s HP alone excluding the electric motor? That must be it because the F8 has a 3.9L V8 that makes 720HP, and this car has a 2.9L V6 that makes 650 HP.

[@TheDwightMamba]

I've tried to like Zach, but he's at least 2 cylinders down from being on Matt's level.

[@keithclayton1271]

I came here for the demons flying through canyons at supersonic speeds wanting to rip my heart out... and I was not disappointed.

[@dhmallet]

Great metaphors, comedy, and commentary

[@backroadbeetle4781]

Hate how it doesn't sound like a glorious racecar, but it does give off a cyberpunk vibe.

[@one2tumble]

Great job. This is probably my favorite Smoking Zach review

[@georgegilmour540]

PS fantastic review! Bravo!

[@MBisFrenchy]

The good news is hopefully the US cars have less noise reduction in the exhaust.

[@TJ-qm7wu]

It’s all about the sound…PERIOD!!

[@spishco]

Is that front splitter cracked?

[@thehacks88]

That’s what got me too, it’s all I could look at!😅

[@bpowick]

Is that a split or crack I see on the front fender at 1:32?

[@BitterCarGuy]

“Thanks for listening to the podcast” lol

[@user-ih7gc7dt9l]

Oh well may as well embrace the future and that silent mode while driving through town is a very considerate feature.

[@chasezas]

I can't wait to drive this thing in ACC!

[@gavinsullivan9015]

Good work Zack as usual. Can’t get excited about it at all. It does fast. But lacks character doing it? Doesn’t look that good to me either. The used market for NA or non-electrified sports cars is going to remain strong I suspect…

[@jerrywarren2007]

Is the Artura at a similar price point? Me thinks not, so director competitor, not so much.

[@thetonyalfano]

You said the engine produces more HP than the F8. The F8 has 711hp 296 has 654 HP in the engine.

[@calvincooley1074]

They're becoming a follower imo. The SUV proves that although it's a badass billboard for tech.

[@Blackdawn80]

Ferrari is definitely turning into the follower...The SUV is the final nail in the coffin as Enzo spins in his grave.

[@calvincooley1074]

@@Blackdawn80 agreed

[@Petrospect]

kudos that it has a V12 though. But it should've been a Maserati.