Seoul, 5 August 2022 – Ferrari
has officially launched The 296
GTS, the latest evolution of Maranello’s mid-rear-engined two-seater berlinetta
spider at Ferrari Banpo showroom on August 5. 296 GTS is the Ferrari’s 2nd PHEV spider after SF90 Spider
which has been launched in 2020.
Having
an electric motor which drives the rear wheels, The 296 GTS flanks the 296 GTB in redefining the whole
concept of fun behind the wheel, guaranteeing pure emotions not just when
pushing the car to its limits, but also in day-to-day driving situations. In
particular, its RHT (retractable hard top) guarantees exceptional occupant comfort,
minimising the impact of any modifications on the exterior bodywork.
The 296 GTS uses the new 663 cv 120° V6, coupled with an electric motor
capable of delivering a further 122 kW (167 cv), which debuted on the 296 GTB. The car’s name combines
its total displacement (2992 l) and number of cylinders with the GTS (Gran
Turismo Spider) acronym in finest Ferrari tradition. This is the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road-going spider
sporting the Prancing Horse badge; it unleashes its class-leading 830 cv total
power output to deliver previously unthinkable performance levels and an
innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack, further enhanced by the fact
that it can be relished with the top down.
The 296 GTS’s plug-in
hybrid (PHEV) system guarantees it is an incredibly usable car as well as
cutting pedal response times to zero and delivering a 25km range in
all-electric eDrive mode. The car’s compact dimensions and the introduction of
innovative dynamic control systems as well as meticulously honed aero ensure
that the driver will instantly be impressed by its astonishing agility and
responsiveness to commands. Its sporty, sinuous design and extremely compact
dimensions also visually underscore its unique and modern forms, while
skilfully referencing the likes of the 1963 250 LM, the perfect marriage of
simplicity and functionality.
The RHT (retractable hard top) guarantees exceptional occupant comfort.
With the roof stowed it features a sleek, sporty design and with the roof up,
the silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB. The lightweight RHT
takes a mere 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45km/h. The
separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post. As a
result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the
front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation
characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the
designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through
which the new V6 is clearly visible.
As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, for clients who want to exploit
the car’s extreme power and performance to the utmost, particularly on the
track, the 296 GTS is also available with the Assetto Fiorano package, which
includes lightweight features and aero modifications.
Mr. Dieter Knechtel, President
of Ferrari Far East and Middle East Hub, said, “It’s clear that hybrid and
electric power is the way forward and Ferrari has invested significantly in
steering the brand in that direction. The key consideration is to incorporate
this next generation technology without compromising on power and maintaining
driving engagement. The 296 GTS has been engineered to deliver just that –
thrilling performance with the concept of ‘fun-to-drive’ at the heart of its
design.”
Kim Kwang Cheol, CEO of FMK
said, “We hope that the 296 GTS, in which drivers can enjoy the new V6 engine
with the open-air hybrid concept, will help our customers experience a new
level of fun-to-drive on the roads in Korea’s beautiful scenery.”
POWERTRAIN
The
296 GTS is the first Ferrari road-going spider to sport a V6 turbo with a vee
with an angle of 120° between the cylinder banks, coupled with a plug-in
electric motor. The Ferrari V6 set a new specific power output record for a
production car of 221 cv/l. As the V6 turbo is integrated with an electric
motor at the rear, the 296 GTS’s combined maximum power output is 830 cv,
putting it at the top of the rear-wheel-drive spider segment. The hybrid
element not only makes the car extremely versatile in terms of day-to-day
driving with a full-electric mode range of 25 km, but also benefits the driving
experience by providing instant and consistent response at all engine speeds.
Sound-wise,
the V6 engine rewrites the rulebook by harmoniously combining two characteristics
that are normally diametrically opposed: the force of the turbos and the
harmony of the high-frequency notes of a naturally-aspirated V12. Even at low
revs, inside the cabin, the soundtrack features the pure V12 orders of
harmonics which then, at higher revs, guarantee that typical high-frequency
treble. This Ferrari’s soundtrack matches its performance, creating a sense of
unprecedented involvement even with the top down, and marking the turning of a
new page in Maranello’s berlinetta history.
AERODYNAMICS
The
aerodynamic development of the rear of the 296 GTS centred around managing the
rear deck wake solution which has been optimised to work despite the
constraints imposed by the installation of the RHT. The wing profile and flying
buttresses guarantee the same aerodynamic and thermal efficiency as the 296
GTB. The specific conformation of the 296 GTS’s tonneau cover creates a virtual
fairing that mimics the aerodynamic behaviour of the coupé. This means that the
air above the profile is correctly deflected so that the car’s aerodynamics and
cooling are as efficient as possible. Thanks to this optimisation work, the 296
GTS’s active spoiler delivers the same downforce as the 296 GTB.
VEHICLE
DYNAMICS
The
296 GTS’s dynamic development focused around boosting the car’s pure
performance. Specific components were also developed, including the Transition
Manager Actuator (TMA), the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS) and ABS EVO controller. How
easily accessible and usable the performance is is also of significant
importance when driving the 296 GTS. The 296 GTB’s chassis was redesigned and
optimised for the 296 GTS to improve torsional rigidity and bending stiffness
compared to previous spider applications. This was achieved to the tune of 50%
in the case of the former and 8% in the case of the latter. also including the
new V6, which weighs 30 kg less than the V8 unit used on previous berlinettas,
and the extensive use of lightweight materials. The result is a dry weight of
just 1540 kg which is class-leading in regards to the overall weight-to-power
ratio: 1.86 kg/cv.
STYLING
EXTERIOR
The 296 GTS further emphasises
the clean, sophisticated lines of the 296 GTB . When the top is down, it is the
peerlessly elegant epitome of the open-air hybrid concept. The designers’ goal
is a clear focus on minimising the impact of any modifications on the exterior
bodywork. The need to stow the RHT (Retractable Hard Top) inside the engine
compartment inspired to create a new tonneau cover design. While on the 296 GTB
the engine bay is completely horizontal and dominated by two flying buttresses
in a nod to the 250 Le Mans archetype, the 296 GTS’s tail is absolutely unique.
The
296 GTS’s cockpit was developed around the new concept of an entirely digital
interface. While with the SF90 Stradale the designers wanted to highlight the
presence of the advanced technology and underscore a clear break with the past,
in the case of the 296 GTS, the idea was to clothe that technology to
sophisticated effect. when the engine is off, the onboard instruments go black,
underscoring the minimalist look of the cabin. The tunnel has been redesigned,
so that rather than being open as on the 296 GTB, it has a closing oddments
compartment, which further emphasises the continuity between mats and tunnel.
For the 296 GTS, the designers created specific diapason-style seats using
contrasting grooves which coordinate aesthetically with the edge strip of the
instrument cluster.
ASSETTO FIORANO
For clients who want to
exploit the car’s extreme power and performance to the utmost, the 296 GTS
Assetto Fiorano package is available; it is completely uncompromising in terms
of maximum performance, thanks to significant weight reduction and aero
content. Most notably, these include special GT racing-derived adjustable
Multimatic shock absorbers optimised for track use; high downforce carbon-fibre
appendages on the front bumper that can deliver an additional 10 kg of downforce
and more extensive use of lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre for both
cabin and exterior. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2R Tyres and a special livery
inspired by the 250 Le Mans can also be ordered exclusively by owners who opt
for the Assetto Fiorano package