FIRST DRIVE: Ferrari 296 GTB – 819bhp turbo-hybrid supercar | Top Gear

This is the Ferrari 296 GTB. It is a deeply, furiously complex car. A 819bhp turbo-hybrid six-cylinder supercar that can also run silently on electricity. A £241,550 Dino successor that slots into the mid-engined ‘everyday’ Ferrari lineage that started with the 308 47 years ago and has continued without interruption – and with some legendary highlights, including the 458 Speciale – ever since. Could it be one of the best prancing horses ever? Top Gear Magazine’s Head of Car Testing – Ollie Marriage – takes it on road and track to find out…

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[floridamankyle]

I am so impressed on how close the V6 sounds like half a V12, even with the turbos and the mufflers, this engine is quite astonishing.

[Le_Floffy_A]

they weren't lying when they said that this new V6 sounds like a baby V12, I'm impressed

[ep]

With the launch of the 296, I feel Ferrari is seriously back on track again.. As new as the 296 is from an engineering standpoint, something about it seems so purely Ferrari - such a thorough and beautifully put-together machine. Proper powertrain, stunning looks, clearly an exhilarating but approachable driving experience. Definitely my favorite new sports car.

[CHOEYGMUSIC]

It's absolutely beautiful. That red has to be the most beautiful paint... in the world.

[MetikalMan]

I love this motor. Yet, I dream of the universe where this has a newly developed 4999cc naturally aspirated V8 revving to 10, 000rpm and the flawless torque curve with the electric motor torque filling.

[bewareofsasquatch]

The 296 is awesome. It actually really beautiful. Reminds of the older Ferraris

[karlcarrington]

This guy is a seriously good driver! And a great presenter.

[TheHorizonlime]

remember when the 1001 hp of the Veyron was something astonoshing ? ( that's pure madness )

[SY-tnio]

Begs the question, why is the SF90’s overall design messy, compared to this? This is just gorgeous, like the 458 Italia.

[deveusdude]

I love this thing, I like the exterior that breaks the mid engine trend of just putting more stuff on a 458 that they were doing. This design is quite elegant and beautiful, I especially like the back. I also love that ferrari set out to make a car that is fun to drive first and lap times second (see SF90 for opposite), a real drivers car that just happens to have 812 hp of high revving engine with low end electric torque. I hope this doesn't get discounted by people being snobbish about cylinder count, does it really matter if it sounds and drives good?

[huwprice]

Let’s pull over and take a closer look at the cabin. Pulls over. Shows us a tilting seat and a erm… Froot? Frunk? But no cabin view. Gee, thanks…. 🙄

[santigarciarosa]

Imagine the disappointment of being lucky enough to see one of this on the road and it being in electric mode.

Sound is one of the most thrilling things about these cars. Specially for us, pedestrians!

[petardenchev]

Apart from everything else, this is also a lesson in design. Initialy I wasnt convinced, but I like it more and more. Someone said that a good design should look just a little bit odd- and this new Ferrari does exactly that.

[algreentube]

I am in Love with the design and functionality of this car. How ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

[luisfabianrivera]

i always liked this car since the beginning, is so simple and minimalistic

[johncarlofernandez]

Probably my most favorite hybrid system.

[davevan]

Most interesting Ferrari in a long time, an actual sports car. And somewhat futureproofed. If only I had the money...

[anshuljain]

That shot at 3:15 is absolutely to the team

[KellyMyers]

Something about it looks like the Ford GT. Looks dynamically excellent, I just can't wrap my head around a V6 in a Ferrari.

[georgimihalkov]

Whenever I click on a Top gear review and Chris isn't doing it, I feel huge disappointment.