Less than a year apart, Ferrari once again brings an updated version of the first V6 hybrid road car in the factory’s history, the 296 GTB, releasing a new Spider version at 8 pm Hong Kong time on April 19. The new car, named 296 GTS, once again adds a new chapter to Ferrari’s legend of the prancing horse two-seater convertible Berlinetta.
The all-new 296 GTS was unveiled on the official website platform last night, and it was previously known that the new car would be a model with a mid-rear engine layout. It can also be confirmed that the 296 GTS will inherit the performance of the 296 GTB. Positioned as Ferrari’s first convertible road car with a V6 hybrid system, the 296 GTS not only inherits the 2,992 cc total displacement, V6 engine layout, and Gran Turismo Spider lineage, but also adopts a new 120° angle engine layout (firing order 1-6-3-4-2-5), with a maximum output power of up to 663 cv, paired with an electric motor with an output power of 122 kW, providing drivers with extraordinary performance beyond imagination. Its unique and breathtaking beautiful sound makes the 296 GTS an extraordinary convertible driving experience for Ferrari.
In addition to the V6 engine’s 120° V-type architecture, which helps shorten the distance air travels to reach the combustion chamber, maximizing the fluid dynamics and efficiency of the intake and exhaust pipes, the 296 GTS’s externally chargeable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system also ensures outstanding practicality and zero pedal response delay. According to official data, the 296 GTS can travel up to 25 kilometers in eDrive pure electric mode.
As a new member inheriting the bloodline of the 296 GTB, as mentioned in the previous day’s report, the Ferrari Styling Centre design team had to start designing the appearance of the 296 GTS with a focus on the convertible design. The new car’s folding hardtop convertible design ensures smooth operation without affecting the comfortable driving experience. In situations where the speed does not exceed 45 km/h, the lightweight hardtop only takes 14 seconds to complete the opening or closing process. It is worth mentioning that in order not to disrupt the aesthetic beauty of the body lines, the team positioned the separation line between the body and the roof above the B-pillar. This design ensures that the two-part folding hardtop convertible fully maintains the balance between the engine compartment’s cooling effect and the exterior design aesthetics.
In addition, the designer also designed a window at the back of the engine cover to clearly showcase its brand new V6 engine. When the top is open, the cabin is separated from the rear deck by a height-adjustable glass rear window, ensuring optimal comfort even at high speeds. The fully horizontal configuration of the engine compartment and its flying buttress structure are details that pay tribute to the 1963 Ferrari 250 Le Mans prototype, showing the design team’s careful attention to detail.
In terms of aerodynamic design, the 296 GTS uses an “active aerodynamics device” designed to increase additional downforce on the vehicle, rather than reduce resistance like previous models such as the 458 Speciale. Inspired by the legendary LaFerrari’s active aerodynamic flaps and rear spoiler, it seamlessly integrates into the design of the body, providing optimal performance at any time.
At the rear, extremely high downforce is generated, and with the assistance of the active spoiler, the vehicle can generate an additional 100 kilograms of downforce at high downforce. Moreover, the Assetto Fiorano package introduced this time can be configured to provide a high downforce mode, allowing the 296 GTS to generate a maximum downforce of 360 kilograms at a speed of 250 km/h.
In addition, the internal combustion engine and gearbox are cooled by two radiators installed in the front of the body and in front of the front wheels. In addition, two high-voltage battery condensers are installed at the front wheels. Hot air is expelled along the bottom of the body, avoiding interaction with the air flowing from the side wings to the central cooler. This unique design greatly improves efficiency while reducing the size of the engine air intake to the lowest level, giving the new car a sleek and streamlined look. The radiator of the hybrid power system has two vents, located below the vortex generators on either side. This solution fully releases the available space in the front and center of the body, generating downforce while improving the layout of different circuits, directly contributing to packaging and weight reduction.
The layout of the engine compartment is also worth noting. The designer has installed the turbocharger on top of the V-shaped crankcase using the “Hot V” architecture, improving the heat management efficiency in the engine compartment. Additionally, the compartment can accommodate both conventional internal combustion engine components that can withstand temperatures above 900°C and electrical and electronic components that must operate at lower temperatures simultaneously. Based on this, Ferrari has redesigned the layout of the turbocharger and the entire exhaust system.
To achieve the same excellent driving comfort as the Berlinetta model, Ferrari has developed a series of solutions to counteract cabin air turbulence while also managing the recirculation of air around the driver. The geometric design behind the headrest panel has been optimized to guide as much air as possible to the top hood, reducing the recirculation airflow in the cabin; the remaining airflow around the rear panel will be directed to the integrated wing and dispersed before the recirculation turbulence reaches the central passage.
As for the interior decoration of the car, the new car largely retains the configuration of the 296 GTB, extensively using Italian leather to cover the dual-seat space, and is equipped with a fully digital human-machine interface derived from the SF90 Stradale model: when the engine is turned off, the dashboard will be completely black, creating a minimalist visual effect, creating a pure, mysterious overall atmosphere. In addition, the central channel adopts a closed storage space, including a modernized gearshift structure and a key compartment inspired by classic car models, further emphasizing the coherence between the interior floor and the central channel. Circular relief parts in the door panel position present a three-dimensional deep diamond-shaped spoon, making the entire door panel look very light while echoing the unique aesthetics of the 296 GTS, enhancing the overall consistency of the new car.
Finally, it is necessary to introduce the Assetto Fiorano package. The all-new 296 GTS offers the Assetto Fiorano Option Package racing kit as an option, allowing the new car to significantly reduce weight, including up to 8 kilograms from the redesigned door panel basic structure; other highlights include Multimatic shock absorbers built based on Ferrari GT racing experience; a high-downforce carbon fiber kit installed on the front bumper that can generate an additional 10 kilograms of downforce; a series of carbon fiber components for both interior and exterior decoration; and owners can choose the track-level Michelin high-performance tires Pilot Sport Cup2R with strong grip. In addition, Ferrari has also designed a special livery inspired by the 250 Le Mans for owners who order the Assetto Fiorano racing kit: the livery starts from the front wings, passes through the central grille, then extends upwards along the hood, forming a conical pattern, and extends all the way to the foldable hardtop convertible and roof cover, finally extending downwards to the rear spoiler.
Based on strict quality standards and a commitment to excellence in customer service, Ferrari will provide all 296 GTS owners with seven years of regular maintenance service. The professional service team, trained directly at the Maranello Ferrari Training Centre, will use the most advanced diagnostic equipment to perform meticulous routine maintenance (every 20,000 kilometers or once a year regardless of mileage), original parts, and other inspections to maintain the optimal performance and excellent quality of each Ferrari sports car.
For more information on the 296 GTS optional new car and related details, interested readers can visit the official website of Ferrari Hong Kong for more information.
資料及圖片來源：Courtesy of Ferrari Hong Kong
