Ferraris have always been loved for their engines, whether they were V8s or V12s. However, with the new 296 GTB, the Italian automaker has developed a new engine with six cylinders.
It hasn’t been since the early 1970s that a road-going Ferrari has been offered with a V6 – and even then it wasn’t badged as a Ferrari but a Dino as Enzo didn’t want to affix the Prancing Horse to a much cheaper model than the marque was already producing. Clearly eager to show that this downsized powertrain doesn’t take away any of the fun that Ferrari models are famed for, the brand has released a high-paced video focusing on this powertrain.
Throughout the clip, we get to see the 296 GTB driven to its limits on the Yas Marina Circuit before it heads out onto the streets of Abu Dhabi.
Watch Also: Let’s Take An Extensive Tour Of The 296 GTB, Ferrari’s 819 HP V6 Hybrid Supercar
Of course, Ferrari didn’t fit the 296 GTB with any old V6. In fact, it is a newly-developed 120-degree 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged unit that produces 654 hp, the highest specific output of any current production engine. Moreover, Ferrari’s latest supercar has a 164 hp electric motor sandwiched between the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and the engine. Thus, the 296 GTB delivers a combined 819 hp and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque, which is sent exclusively to the rear wheels.
While the video has a thumping soundtrack, we are able to hear the engine throughout the clip. Obviously, the hybrid powertrain doesn’t howl in the same way as high-revving V8s and V12s from Ferrari, but we don’t think that will be of much concern to customers when they jump behind the wheel and experience first-hand the performance on offer.