My Early 296 Ownership Impression

Funny thing is- the AF package is more hardcore with the better racing suspension. Yet for now, is less desirable. Make the Speciale more hardcore core and it’s more desirable? IMO- Only because it’s more limited. I’m not knocking the Speciale. I may yet get one.

 

no but that’s racing seats too. Gorgeous Daytona style. The leather doesn’t really add that much at all.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Just took delivery of my 296 GTS yesterday. Already knew it was amazing since I had a 2023 GTS demo which had numerous issues with check engine light and sway bars. I think all those early issues were fixed and the car is phenomenal. Had an F8 Spider prior to taking delivery of this one. 296 is far superior in almost every way. One question. Did they get rid of the auto star/stop function? Not seeing it on this 2025.

 

Congrats. Looks great. Is that Blu Electrico?
Chet

 

I believe the hybrid functionality removes the requirement to have the start/stop function.

 

Yes - color is misleading in the shop filled with fluorescent lights. Blu Elettrico 2020

 

I have a very similar build. BE20 with Grigio Chiaro interior.
Chet


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Beautiful car. Mine has Grigio Corvara interior, but it's obvious you also have great taste (he said, patting himself on the back!). I think the corvara version is just a shade darker. It was not available in the configurator so it was somewhat of an educated guess. Either way, my understanding is 296's in BE20 are very rare.

 

What's the difference between blue elettrico and the 2020 version?

 

Not sure, but apparently there was a version labeled Blu Elettrico before the 2020 version.

 

Here is a picture of the interior, although true colors are tough to see in reality vs camera shots.
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Blu Elettrico is a little bit more dynamic- a little bit lighter and a little bit more vibrant than the Blu Elettrico 2020.

 

That’s exactly how it looks to me. Interesting.

 

Not sure they offer the previous version. Somewhere I heard that was 4 layer and the 2020 is 2 layer. Didn't stop them from increasing the price from 16K to 37K though.

 

Exactly. Half the layers for more than double the price.

 

I believe it has always been a 2 layer. I may be wrong, but it was never 37k in the past. I thought sanu silver was a 4 layer but it is in fact 2, and Aldo from TM says not to worry about layers, but the effect.

 

I think they are both 2 layers. I see BE 2020 as more of a super TDF and BE to be more, well "electric"

 

So guys, for the record, Ive spent the past few days driving my 296 GTS and I have to tell you, I will now eat my hat. The car is truly incredible, it’s just that you have to get over some of the mental blocks like “oh it’s hybrid” and “the stupid haptics”… and also I find using CT Off makes the car feel more natural, whereas Race feels like its just getting too involved. With warm tires, qualify and CT Off modes, building confidence, at first I was wondering about 800+ hp to the rears, I think this car is like a new era 458. Very - sorry for relying on the marketing word- but its appropriate- very fun, very playful, great sound great volume in the cabin. It’s not as mechanically raw as the older cars, but thats almost always the case. Anyway, this is a great Ferrari sports car.

 

Yup, tp all the above.

 

Got the car this week and spent some time reading the owner's manual. Not very good with regard to AFA menus, but over all the car has a lot of settings you can adjust to your liking. One thing that I noticed was they recommend a break in period of 600 miles where the revs should not go above 5500. I would suggest against driving at high revs for the first little while. I don't suppose its a problem once in a while to peak higher, but I'd keep it lower until passing the break in period. Also, they suggest driving in H mode mostly during this period and using Q mode to quick recharge a few miles before getting to the garage.

 

Thanks! The biggest key to breaking in anything mechanical is to avoid thermal shocks.