Ferrari 296 GTB makes Aussie debut

The Ferrari 296 GTB has made its debut in Australia, for which a starting price of $551,800 plus on-road costs has now been confirmed.

That makes the first V6-powered Ferrari model since the Dino 246 GT of 1974 more expensive than the entry-level Portofino convertible (from $398,888), the Roma coupe ($409,888) and both the F8 Tributo coupe ($484,888) and Spider ($536,888).

It also positions the all-new Ferrari coupe between rear-drive V8 and all-wheel drive V12 versions of the GTC4 Lusso wagon ($503,888 and $578,888 respectively), but below the V12-powered 812 Superfast coupe ($610,000) and GTS convertible ($675,888), as well as the flagship SF90 Stradale hybrid hypercar ($846,888).

And although the Ferrari 296 GTB shares much of its plug-in hybrid technology from the SF90, its $550K-plus list price excludes a long list of expensive options.

These include Apple CarPlay, a wireless smartphone charger, Adaptive Frontlight System, Suspension Lifter, gloss-black brake callipers, black leather floor mats, electrochromic rear-view mirror, parking camera, leather headlining, matt diamond-polished forged wheels and titanium wheel stud bolts.

There’s also a host of carbon-fibre options including engine covers, front spoiler, rear diffuser, racing seats, steering wheel (with LEDs), instrument cover, air-vents, dashboard inserts, centre console, door sills and luggage compartment.

But the priciest option will be the high-performance Assetto Fiorano package that for about $50,000 extra brings GT racing-derived adjustable Multimatic shock absorbers, carbon-fibre front bumper additions delivering an extra 10kg of downforce, a 15kg-lighter Lexan rear screen, redesigned door panels saving 12kg and Michelin Sport Cup2R high-performance tyres.

As with all new Ferraris, the 296 GTB is backed by a seven-year maintenance program and service intervals are 12-month/20,000km.

The first Ferrari 296 GTB to arrive in Australia is now being showcased to media, customers and VIP guests as part of an invitation-only, COVID-restricted ‘immersive’ roadshow that started in Melbourne this week and will also travel to Ferrari dealerships in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Adelaide over the next few months.

As is tradition, Ferrari has not disclosed how many examples of the prancing horse brand’s new mid/rear-engined berlinetta sports car have been allocated to – or are already spoken for – in Australia, where first deliveries will commence in the second half of next year.

As we reported when it made its global debut in June, the rear-wheel drive Ferrari 296 GTB is powered by an all-new 120-degree twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 that revs to 8500rpm, develops 487kW and is matched as standard with the SF90’s new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Combined with a plug-in hybrid system comprising a 7.45kWh lithium-ion battery and a 123kW electric motor, total outputs are 610kW – 80kW more than the larger F8 Tributo, powered by a 530kW/770Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 – and 740Nm of torque.

Ferrari claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.9 seconds for the 1470kg (dry) 296 GTB, matching the 35kg-lighter F8, plus 0-200km/h acceleration in 7.3sec, a top speed of over 330km/h and an all-electric range of 25km at speeds up to 135km/h.