So far in 2021, Audi, Jaguar, Lotus and Lamborghini have all unveiled their plans to move towards developing and launching new hybrid or electric powered Supercars. And just as we hit the halfway point of the year, now another giant of all things turbocharged has revealed theirs too.
After weeks of feverish teasing and speculation, Ferrari have announced details of their new model, the 296 GTB. The plug-in hybrid is, according to their press release they issued at the end of last week, "the latest evolution of Maranello's mid-rear-engined two-seater Berlinetta".
It's not Ferrari's first hybrid model - they previously had the SF90 Stradale, which was released in 2019, and its convertible variant, the SF90 Spider, which came out last year. However, it is their first road car to come with a V6 turbo 6 cylinder engine, offering out a mightily impressive 830 bhp and top speeds of 205 mph.
In terms of lone electric powering, it can travel for up to 15 miles, and reach top speeds of 83 mph in electric-only eDrive mode. Speaking at the virtual launch last Friday (25th June), Enrico Galleria, Ferrari's Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, was full of unbridled enthusiasm.
"If the SF 90 was designed to reach the peak of performance, this has been designed for the peak of pleasure of driving." Further pressed, he added with confidence that "We expect this will also help us attract clients who are not driving a Ferrari now."
Those placing themselves on the order books for the 296 GTB will be unsurprised to learn that it is, naturally, ticketed with a steep price tag of around £232,000. In terms of reaching the apex of producing fully electric vehicles, like most other firms, Ferrari have said they are aiming to reach this by 2025.
Their biggest challenge, as with their competitors, is to crack the nut on how they can make the seamless move to total electric power without sacrificing the performance for which these Italian stallions are so well known for. We await with interest to see what their answer will be.
To book from our current range of Ferrari driving days in models including the 360, 430 and 458 Italia at venues across the UK, visit the dedicated Ferrari page on the Driving Experience website, where you can view forthcoming dates on our Events Calendar or purchase one of our open Gift Vouchers.
