The nasty combination of inflation + tariffs + deprecation has caused much consternation. That is the issue more so than hybrid. IMO. Flip side, resell values are increasing on luxury items that were sold pre-tariff. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rolex-luxury-watchmakers-brace-for-trumps-tariffs-on-swiss-imports-181704258.html I was a kid in the 1980s when the automotive 'grey market' existed. Imagine the grey market that is forming now for watches and other items that can be purchased in person overseas and worn back into the US.
I hate turbo lag. The hybrid powertrain fills in the missing torque providing linear predictable power. That alone is worth the technology upgrade- IMO. The 296 provides an unparalleled virtual hyper car driving experience for the road because of the hybrid system- IMO. And it’s a blast to drive because it’s a nimble go cart.
I've only had my 296 for a few weeks, still trying to wrap my head around it. I wanted to experience the hybrid technology and I appreciate how good and efficient the 296 goes about its business. I agree that the car felt much more nimble comparing to some of the previous generations of mid engine ferrari. I can't help feel though that the way the hybrid car accelerates, while mind blowingly fast, feels somewhat like an electric car aka Tesla? It's very instantaneous and linear and without much rumble from the v6. The speedo just keeps climbing, dare I say not so dramatic? I love my car, just trying to be objective. Wonder what others think especially those who had older lambo, mclaren, or special ferraris. So far the car hasn't gotten my heart pumping yet as much as my older mclaren and I don't dare to go any faster on public roads.
Having owned a Tesla… I don’t understand how you can compare the 296. I can’t even compare my electric Taycan to a Tesla.
Sorry, I'm not saying as a whole car, a Tesla is anywhere comparible. I've only driven a Tesla on two occasions to be fair. Just the way 296 accelerates, my first gut reaction after I pull a 1/4 mile run with it was, man that was really awesome, but feels kind of like playing a video game. The car just handled it so effortlessly. Good and bad? I don't know what to make of it.
i been driving mine for two weeks amd i am satisfied beyond ….. but i still have much more driving to do to somewhat fully appreciate this technology
Had Macs - Senna violent 765LT Spider slightly less both were insane, LT did everything from noise sound speed looks. Had the factory 001 chassis all carbon and Brazil XP1 Senna all carbon - big fan of Mac. Lambo Sian and V12 race car cancelled due to head room - only car that I fit in was Senna. Lambo offered race exhaust and tune for SV750 - crazy fast Loud again violent acceleration. Ferrari is refined power and sounds esp in hybrids. The only downside I have today - every hybrid from Ferrari is too similar. 812GTS Roma my favorites to date out of the modern. Ferrari track versions allow more exterior into the interior - the AF versions get you close to what you are looking for, Kinda crazy they made AF then track versions - welcome to the vacuum
Have you tried driving in qualify and race modes? I would suggest warm into it, and, this might go against the whole owning a sports car thing, but try slowing down your throttle application.
My default driving mode after warm up and if traffic permit is qualify/race/manual. Have not tried CT off and beyond. Too worried about crashing on public roads. Will be hard to ease in the throttle, only got 2-3 seconds of fun before reaching going to jail speeds.
296 does feel different than LT McLarens and that’s what I love. LT is a slight delay and boom oh crap hold on! Experience. The 296 is near instantly rapid from any speed. 30-90 mph in 3.0 seconds per my dragy. I love that. And has the chassis to match the power. try driving the car in CT Off if the tires are warm. The car feels more explosive to me and fun in that setting. Like the electronic aids dial back enough and the full car is unleashed.
Manettino translation to my mind: Sport= Comfort Race= Sport CT Off= Race ESC Off= ESC OFF/ you're on your own brother You can crash the car even in sport mode if you are not thoughtful, though it is a lot easier with ESC Off. CT Off is not anything against the nutmeg state, but it does still keep stability control on and I find a form of what you might call traction control. Give it a try, when you are ready, have the room, and most importantly, warm tires.
GM / Vette turbo's "largest" eliminate turbo lag. Meaning, hybrid is of no help and its weight basically offsets the performance. The 200 hp hybrid was minimally better at the Ring. Next up - 2RS turbo hybrid very fast and ticks all the boxes for track use. Times incoming Results of VS 1:19 at Fiorano same time as std SF90 while XX at Fiorano 1:17 and F80 at 1:15
Fiorano times are not independent reports, they are controlled by Ferrari and part of their marketing - so they need to reflect the intended range hierarchy. Given how close to the SF90 the "standard" 296 is, I would not be surprised that the 296 VS be faster than the SF90 on "real world" tracks.
I don't know about independent - there is a driver and video showing pre data from the SIM and then duplication of that in a performance on track. Same thing with the SF90XX - they had two laps one hot lap which equaled the SIM and called it a day. We will see - I would love to see some VS - anything. I don't think Ferrari is serriously committed to track speed outside the XX F80.
I based my remark on my feeling and general knowledge (rather than on Ferrari PR) - however, here is what can be found on the web: https://zeperfs.com/duel10022-7937.htm The site refers to published lap times (the first one is the Ferrari Fiorano time btw), it seems to confirm that both cars are close: Autocar (an independent tester) has exactly the same time, and then times at Varano / Varano Pro (whatever it is) are close and even in favour of the 296 in one case. Looking at the other performance metrics, it seems the SF90 accelerates more (not surprising given the power advantage) but the 296 brakes better (not surprising either given the SF90 is heavier). Then, I have no problem if someone wants to believe the more expensive car is significantly faster.
Weight on one lap is not the same as multiple laps. AWD AERO Torque power - whatever puts more rubber on the pavement is all that matters. Most of us own both - I would take an SF90AF against a VS on track - personal preference for speed - VS is more fun. I believe today's Fiorano times are legit - no reason not to, it's not PR it's video footage with a race car driver. Just curious - what is your personal experience / feeling on track with the two cars?
Only a few laps, at Le Vigeant (France) and Vairano (Italy) with the 296, and Vairano only with the SF90 (apparently, "Varaino Pro" is the typical track configuration that's used there). Still, it's giving some indication since I first drove the 296 at Le Vigeant, back to back with my 488, then the 296 at Varaino, and then the SF90 at Varaino. So that each time I had some (little) reference. The 296 is effortlessly fast (I experienced some moves under hard braking, but after the initial surprise it's not really an issue); the SF90 has probably the potential to be marginally faster but it seems to require a specific driving - I was advised to "lift and coast" with the SF90 (by the Ferrari instructor), and it's not a typical way to drive a car on track. As a side note, I was told that when the French magazine "Sport Auto" tested the 296 (also at Le Vigeant), which set their lap time record, the Ferrari staff was not really willing that the time be improved further (which might have been possible, apparently) - so it's like Ferrari knows that the 296 is exceptionnally good on track and they may not want it to be too good compared with their more expensive cars. The SF90 may be faster than the 296, but it's interesting to note that the biggest gap is the one quoted by Ferrari at Fiorano. Regarding the 296 VS, I believe its actual performance (which will certainly be better than that of the 296 AF) is still unknown, since AFAIK no car has been delivered / extensively tested yet.
Not very scientific but I drove my F488 Challenge Evo and my SF90AF on track back to back same day, alone in the F488 on slicks with passenger in the SF90 and I was faster in the SF90, I also own a F296, I am slower in the F296 than in the SF90, make that as you will but to me the SF90 is an absolute beast and if driven properly there is no chance I am faster in the F296 and I use the F296 almost daily, I am very used to it.
That's because of how you probably drive, I don't know your experience but I have a lot of time in the 488 evo. Multiple years in Club Challenge running tracks all over the US. The SF90 is much faster on the straights but you have to brake much earlier. You might get 1 maybe 2 laps in the SF90 but that massive weight will overheat the brakes. Additionally, you cannot rotate the SF90 as well as you can a RWD car. I can see the 296 being faster and better to drive on track being RWD and lighter. Next time you track your SF90, try coming in as late as possible before braking, i.e. 125' from speeds of around 160MPH and see how that goes for you. You won't make the turn. Personally, I wouldn't track either of the street cars unless you don't mind them getting ripped to shreds and replacing brakes every 10 laps.
Let me add, that's why at Piloti and other driving events they will tell you to coast in. You cant use the brakes like you are supposed to when tracking.
Don't disagree - but people do it all the time - are they willing to push until they spin, have a feeling Fortis does push cars hard. SF90 while heavier offers more grip - maybe hitting brakes earlier but coming out of corners more power more grip imo outweighs braking early. Honestly do not want more power - eating asphalt at this pace imo isn't fun. Rather have R&D on other things - GT3RS performs almost as well with 1/2 the hp. Hybrid is so heavy they just keep adding hp
Thats not how it works, your entry relates to your exit. On the straight, the sf90 has a big advantage. Regardless, you can only do a lap or two in the SF, the brakes will never hold up. With tires at proper temp, the slicks have a lot of grip. Another big difference.
I track all the time and have quite a bit of experience on various tracks around the world, the F488 EVO isn’t a proper race car IMO, bit of a toy so you can get a bit of track experience but that’s about it, I agree with you that the brakes in the SF90 will take more managing than the ones in the F488 but I can brake just as late as I do in the F488 and if you cool them down properly you will be fine, as I said I was faster in the SF90, that is my experience, you experience might be different and I can not comment on that.
