From V12 to Hybrid: My First Week with the Ferrari 296 GTB (and McLaren 720S Comparison)

Hi everyone,

Just picked up my 296 GTB on Monday after trading in my GTC4Lusso V12.

I’ll start by saying the V12 sounded absolutely phenomenal — there’s really nothing quite like it, and I do miss that soundtrack. But the 296 is simply a more exciting and engaging car to drive. The handling is on another level, and after living with the Lusso for a while, I’d grown a bit tired of its “grand tourer” feel — beautiful car, but a bit boat-like in the corners.

Now, I’ve added the 296 alongside my McLaren 720S Spider. I know some might say they’re too similar to own at the same time, but honestly, I don’t mind. I love the 720S and was curious how Ferrari’s new generation of mid-engined hybrids stacked up — so I decided to make the jump.

Picked the car up in Minnesota and drove straight home to Chicago. Since Monday, it’s basically been my daily driver — already put about 1,000 miles on it.

My first impression was that the 720S felt leagues ahead — lighter, more visceral, and with a better soundtrack. But as I’ve spent more time in the 296, it’s really grown on me. The build quality and interior are in another league, and the car feels far more solidly put together (to be fair, the McLaren is four years older). The 296 has this perfect blend of refinement and excitement that really makes it special.

At this point, I don’t think I could give up either — they’re different enough to appreciate for what each does best.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Well done! Congratulations on the 296! 720 and 296 are stellar vehicles!

 

Congratulations! Really nice pair.

 

I’m partial to the pair as well.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice. I’m about four months out on my GTS.

 

I own a 296 GTS since Feb this year, put on 6k miles on it, and a ML 600 LT since 2022 and I've done 15k miles on it - many of those at the track. If you own just one of them you're already a tremendously lucky bastard. To own the two... automotive paradise! Enjoy!
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Amazing photos!
Love the miles you’re putting on them!
I daily drive my cars, 100 miles round trip to work. annoying drive, but having a blast in these amazing machines.

 

Agreed! Good for you! They're both (720 and 296) perfectly ok to me for daily driving and commutes, especially the 296 with the EV mode. The 600LT... a bit too much to DD...

 

Hello! My brother from another mother. My mclaren just took a 3+ week vacation at the mechanic. I drove the 296 almost everyday and the more I drive it, the more I like it.
When the mclaren came back, my first impression was also that it's more engaging to drive in some respects, but I think largely because it's a spider. What I noticed most though is how sluggish the transmission felt when not pushing hard. I know the 720s is better in that respect but how do you find it? I also think the 296 is much better put together and the powertrain is best in the business. The shift is so crisp, instant, fun, and drama free.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Funny how ahead of its time the 12C was. Still enjoyable among the epic 296.

I don’t have any recent 720 time but the transmission in the 765 is better, for me, than the 296. Shifts are quicker and more aggressive. More engaging overall. And the gearbox kicks down instantly and more aggressively (gear wise). For example, if you floor it in the 296 in 7th it will kick to 4th. In the 765 it will go from 7th to 3rd or 2nd. Effectively eliminates the turbo lag.

 

Why would you drive a high performance car in automatic in 7th gear? I guess- if you’re with your wife.

There is a natural trade off with a track focused car and a road focused car. They can be both highly focused at opposites.

 

The 296 is such a phenomenal car that if my 750 wasn’t a spider I would’ve sold it already. The 750 in spider form is probably the best bang for the buck every day supercar

 

Even more than a 296 GTS?

 

given how quiet the 296 is I don’t think the gts would help its own case much. However I haven’t had an opportunity to drive one so I’m happy to be proven wrong.

 

Great write up. I have a 2020 720 Spider in the garage and have a 2026 GTS that should go into production any day now. Was planning on slotting in a GT type car for the 720 when I get the GTS but I'm now thinking of keeping both. I'm also in Chicago area, so interested to hear your take as the miles wear on.

I still might eventually get an Aston or something to replace 720, but I still enjoy the car immensely, drove it all last week. Even though I only have 8,000 miles on the car since new, I do enjoy it quite a bit. Especially on 85 degree October days like we've been having.

As to the 720 transmission question, it seems like it really depends on the mode you are in. I almost never drive car in "automatic" except when I get on the highway. Mainly that's because I like to be able to have a quick burst of acceleration without remembering to downshift 3 or 4 gears. However, if you drive it in automatic mode and comfort mode around town, it will put you in 6th or 7th gear at 40 mph, which I'm sure is an attempt at fuel economy regulations but makes the car feel sluggish and sound terrible (in a car where sound isn't exactly a high point to begin with). You just have to choose your modes and when to shift. I actually thought something was wrong with the car when I first got it because I was driving up in Rockford to get my COVID shot (remember the days when we drove 90 miles to find a vaccine)...I was on a city street looking for the CVS and going like 35 in 7th gear....

 

Congrats on the GTS. Every time I drive the GTB, I catch myself wishing it were the covertible… then I remember the deal I got and realize I couldn’t justify the price delta.
As for getting rid of the 720 when the GTS comes in — I think you’d miss it. Let me know your thoughts once you’ve got both. I’m still feeling out the 296 myself, so I haven’t fully decided which one’s the long-term keeper. But when 750 prices come down, I’d definitely consider swapping the 720 for one.

One thing I do find annoying is the CarPlay setup in the 296 — wish Ferrari would do a software update that keeps the tach visible while running CarPlay instead of that full takeover screen. I added CarPlay to the 720 and it’s been awesome to have.

I’m downtown by the Bean — what part of Chicago are you in? The weather last week was unreal. I was in the 720 a lot too, and man… that car just makes me happy to drive. The transmission definitely puts you in higher gears if you’re not aggressive with it, but it’s nothing compared to my old Lusso — I couldn’t beg that car to stay in a lower gear!

 

I should be more clear. Transmission I meant purely in manual shift mode. In my older mclaren, even in track mode, shifts are a bit slow and gentle when throttle position is say 30% or less. Only when you step on it, then shifts get sharp (inertial push they call it) in the 296, shifts feel crisp and immediate in all rev range and throttle position, I felt that in the old 488 as well. I'm wondering if 720s they made it sharper when chilling around town in manual mode.

 

I can attest the 296 GTS, with the top down or even better with just the rear window down, does increase the in-cabin sound and adds to the overall drama. I've just learned to appreciate its unique V6 tone for what it is, which won't match the ML's racy turbo sound, nor the old NA V8 Ferraris, nor certainly the V12 NA in my 812. I do like it better than the F8's sound, btw.

I put this together a while back that will hopefully help you. Note you should play this in 4k HD (settings allows you to pick it) and as loud as possible!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KtggFyoBbCivX3Yy6

 

+1 the “piccolo V12” said on every freaking preview and review video is horse poop and as V12 with titanium exhaust owner there is zero comparison. It sounds like a little V12 in the way that a house cat sounds like a lion.

That said, the trumpet-like high-pitched sound does peak with the RPM well and sounds far better than the 488 and F8. Michael Leiters was correct when he discusses that “fun to drive” included rising pitch and volume on acceleration.

 

Yeah I'm really enjoying the 296 sound, but it sounds like a piccolo V12... my ass! Whoever came up with that needs some hearing aid product pronto! Or to listen to this and reconsider...

(mind you this 812 has a Novitec exhaust, so maybe not totally fair...)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VBnZa57bqbVbJAfLA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KS4GQGQZXxKreXqB8