FERRARI has picked up the gauntlet thrown down by McLaren’s new Artura, debuting its personal six-cylinder hybrid supercar within the type of the brand new 296 GTB forward of first deliveries to Australia within the second half of subsequent yr.
Anticipated to sit down alongside the F8 Tributo because the model’s new entry-level mid-ship providing, the 296 GTB resembles a downsized SF90, albeit with the rear haunches of a last-generation Ford GT (supercar, not Falcon).
Not solely is the 296 GTB the primary V6 sequence manufacturing Ferrari – the early Nineteen Sixties Dino by no means wore Prancing Horse branding – additionally it is the primary time the corporate has produced a rear-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain because the flagship SF90 is all-wheel-drive.
World deliveries of the 296 GTB will begin early subsequent yr, with left-hand-drive markets similar to Europe being given precedence over right-hand-drive markets like Australia.
In line with a Ferrari Australia spokesperson, this factors to a neighborhood launch being held within the second half of 2022.
Lurking behind the cabin is an electrified and turbocharged 3.0-litre bent six creating a mixed 610kW of energy at 8000rpm and 740Nm of torque at a peaky 6250rpm.
Relatively than merely lop two cylinders off the Portofino M’s turbocharged V8 and tickle up the end result, Ferrari’s engineers insist the brand new mill has been designed and developed from a clear sheet of paper “particularly for this set up”.
Electrical energy comes courtesy of a single motor mounted between the inner combustion engine (ICE) and transmission, fed by a 7.45kWh lithium-ion battery that presents the 296 an all-electric vary of as much as 25km.
The transmission in query is identical eight-speed dual-clutch automated as seen elsewhere within the Ferrari portfolio, together with on the SF90, Roma and Portofino M.
Ferrari claims the result’s a 0-100km/h time of two.9 seconds, 0-200km/h in 7.3 seconds and a high velocity north of 330km/h.
By way of brute drive, the out-muscles the V8-powered F8 for sheer energy (610kW vs 530kW) however falls some 30Nm shy on torque (740Nm vs 770Nm).
Extra importantly, each fashions drastically outshine the Artura (500kW/720Nm) in each respects, although the McLaren fights again towards the 296 with a superior all-electric vary (30km vs 25km).
Brake discs measuring 398x38mm up entrance and 360x32mm on the rear are clamped by calipers developed from these discovered on the SF90, which may haul the 296 up from 200km/h to a standstill in a claimed 107 metres.
Greater than only a rabid velocity machine, Ferrari has been cautious to make sure its new automobile can be utilized day-to-day and that the hybrid powertrain will be exploited for extra than simply outright efficiency.
Along with the standard Manettino drive mode selector, the 296 has been fitted with a brand new ‘eManettino’ system that provides drivers the selection of hybrid eDrive, Efficiency and Qualify modes.
Hybrid mode is the default setting, with propulsion duties ebbing and flowing between the ICE and electrical motor as wanted.
Basically because it says on the label, eDrive mode depends solely on the battery and electrical motor for motivation – the all-electric high velocity is 135km/h.
Efficiency mode largely serves because the sports activities mode with the overwhelming majority of the powertrain’s grunt on faucet at a second’s discover, nevertheless a small portion of the ICE’s energy is reserved within the identify of battery cost preservation.
Lastly, qualify mode pulls no punches; each hint of energy is distributed to the again wheels for optimum efficiency.
As ordinary for Ferrari, type follows perform with practically each line, curve, inlet, vent and channel having some position to play in both the aerodynamics or cooling for the brakes and engine cooling, the latter being particularly vital given the 296 is fitted with two radiators.
An lively rear spoiler will be raised and lowered each on command and robotically to match the driving surroundings and generate an additional 100kg of downforce.
To assist the brand new automobile be as agile and dynamically succesful as potential, the 296 rides on a wheelbase some 50mm shorter than earlier mid-ship Ferraris – such because the F8 – which works in unison with newly developed electronics just like the ‘Transition Supervisor Actuator’, six-way adjustable ‘Chassis Dynamic Sensor’ and ABS evo controller.
Suspension duties are taken care of by magnetorheological dampers in all 4 corners.
Contained in the cabin, designers have emulated the ‘fully digital interface’ idea debuted on the SF90, which means its smaller stablemate scores a digital cockpit and haptic contact controls for the local weather settings, with all different controls are mounted on the steering wheel.
“Whereas with the SF90 Stradale the designers wished to focus on the presence of the superior know-how and underscore a transparent break with the previous, within the case of the 296 GTB, the concept was to dress that know-how in a classy approach,” a Ferrari spokesperson stated.
Luxurious-minded highlights included leather-based appointed upholstery, speedo and tachometer show for the passenger, head-up show and electrical push-button door openers.
For these wanting much more efficiency and exclusivity type their automobiles, an Assetto Fiorano bundle is out there that provides GT racing-derived adjustable Multimatic shock absorbers, aggressive carbon fibre aero options, a Lexan rear display and extra intensive use of light-weight supplies similar to carbon-fibre each for the physique and cabin.
The pack is claimed to shave greater than 37kg from the 296 GTB’s 1470kg dry weight.
