296 Test Drive

The surround camera's are one option that won't be in my build, not sure it could be made an uglier.....like a big wart hanging off the mirror.

 

I like the option, I just wish they integrated them into the body more seamlessly.

 

I test drove the 296 for a full morning on and off track, I like the idea of a “small” car, and to me I think sounds better than a F8, has anyone the same sound impression?

Pros:
- traction
- agility
- styling

The things that I like less are:
- trunk space. Not sure why is smaller than non hybrid cars, as I thought all electric devices where at the back.
- 65 litres deposit.
- lack of the famous Start red button
- screens everywhere that will be obsolete in X years

 

There's no start button?

 

Now you just swipe across it. Will miss the button.

 

Analog (red button) versus digital (touch screen)

For special occasions, as I don't daily this cars, I prefer a nice analog watch rather than my apple watch. In cars the same

 

I'm going to miss the button as well ... the analog red button was a nice touch.

 

I too like the red button, wish they kept it. But I also understand that technology evolves over time, people probably had the same conversion when fuel injection first introduced to replace carburetors.

 

True. At the same time, changing the perception of the driving experience from a physical one that is sensory to one that is just in the mind is not why I want to drive a high end performance car.

The start button is literally the first interaction with a car. By suggesting to the driver that they are going to have an iPhone or video game experience, with a haptic slide your finger with no pressure, there is the insinuation that there is nothing mechanical going on. Well, it’s not true first of all. Second, why give up a traditional brand element? I don’t know but do Formula 1 cars have haptic slide start buttons? No….and if you are a road car instantiation of fundamentally a racing company, why diverge?

IMO, It’s really a driver experience by brand separation element. Technology sake for tech sake. (And I have 40 years of being a tech nerd so I am not against tech. I am just pro great fun). What to add next? “Full self-driving”?

I say this because pressing that button is the first thing you do. Not looking at injectors, or examining if there is ABS, or current DOT stickers. Or carbuterors. Nothing about tech. It’s all set by Formula 1 association.

The issue is that doesn’t connect with the visions and feelings of pushing that “start” button like you might if you were actually the racer in a true Ferrari race car. And could win. Or die. Physically. Not in a game. And that’s what the physical button suggests. IMO.

 

There is a lot to be said for the physical interaction with a car which elicits a tactile response regardless of how modern its underpinnings are.

As we put more "insulation" between us and and our inputs and the results they elicit the less respectful we become and the less joy we derive from that we interact with.

 

this is the clever part though, ferrari know that we are heading to dull EV sportscars so they are gradually adding insulation in preparation
for it

 

My first "modern" road going Ferrari with a manual start button was the 288 GTO. Have loved that button ever since. Too bad Ferrari forgot that tactile connection with the beast in the Roma, 296 and others.

 

What happens when the screens go dark?! ughhhh Designed to fail in the future as they age into obsolesce. Kind of like the worry with the battery failure and replacement (?) for the McLaren P1.

 

I also was fortunate to go to a test drive today. No track driving, but a mild curvy road around beverly hills. The car felt great, lots of interior space and great look inside and out. Yellows looked great too. However gts looked far better in my eyes, they had it on display.

here are few photos i took

 

I was also there yesterday, great event. I also got to drive the 296. Unfortunately driving down Beverly Glenn I could not push on the car. However the car felt great. I just need to get use the hybrid system. I did like the fact it
is smaller then the F8. Pictures do no justice for the 296, the car looks amazing in person.

 

Drove it on track.
It is fun car for sure.
Short wheelbase and rwd makes a difference.
Boxster kinda size and feel.
Mild understeer. Quick steering. Explosive power. A ferrari magic.

They wont let me turn the nob behind sports mode. So I am not sure when esc is off how the car will handle but it reminds me a best side of Mclaren 570s minus entry oversteer.

I can not wait for mine to arrive.

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Just got back from driving the 296 at my dealer. I had a deposit and a build submitted already and was concerned that I might not like the car once I drive it. Well, I'm happy to say that the car was more than I expected. It was kind of weird driving a Ferrari in EV mode though. Power is relentless and felt a bit faster than my Pista. I already own a Roma so navigating the haptic controls came naturally.

The best part was the sound. It really does sound like a baby V12 and revs to 8500 RPM. High pitch like a V12, but not quite as loud unfortunately. Not bad at all for a turbocharged car though. The turbo whistle was nothing like anything I've heard yet in a stock car.

Overall, I'm glad I have my deposit and order in.

 

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to drive the 296 on a track, but only for two laps.
It was during a caritative event for which I was driving the 488 on the very same track, so that I could make a direct comparison.
First - and I guess it's not a surprise - the acceleration is noticeably faster with the 296, resulting in higher speeds in the straight lines (I was not pushing so on the longest straight it was only 10-15 kph more, about 265 vs 250 actual speeds, assuming the 296 has the same gap between indicated and real speeds as the 488).
More amazing was the apparent better lateral grip; whereas the 488 was sliding in all corners the 296 was not at all.
There was however a disappointment - when braking at the end of the longest straight the 296 was relatively unsettled (not really dangerous since globally the car maintained the line, but still surprising). Of course the Ferrari driver with me told it was basically my fault, not braking at the right place and not having the wheels perfectly straight... but while I can easily admit I'm not a good enough driver, the fact is that on my mutiple laps with the 488 on the very same track, at slightly lower speeds but certainly closer to the car's capacities, I never experienced the same behaviour.
I discussed the matter with a professional driver not affiliated with Ferrari and he told me the suspension might be too supple (although the car was in Race set-up); more specifically I'd think it's a damping shortcoming (FWIW, the car was not with the Assetto Fiorano package).
Two weeks from now I should drive the 296 more extensively in Italy, so hopefully I will find out how to drive it properly

 

or it might be caused by unevenly worn tires

 

How did the sound of the 296 compare to that of the 488?


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My friend drove the 296 the day after we drove Challenge on Paul Ricard. Straight line speed was overall (obviously less drag) much higher, but he was overall very impressed by how the 296 managed to perform. He mentioned difference in track time is very limited and he was very, very impresed with the 296.

 

Please update your impressions after your next drive!

 

Only got about 8 miles since they’re booked back-to-back all day, so I didn’t get to any twisties or freeway.
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Initial thoughts:
- wonderful tight handling, it really feels low and small… Boxster/Cayman sized feel. But tighter, laser-precise steering. The suspension is confidence inspiring.
- cool turbo spool hissing, engine tone is nicer than F8… but not loud compared to a V12 with an exhaust. The pitch kind of matches the acceleration sensation but you get moving so quickly it was hard to get a full crescendo out
- the torque is a hilarious kick in the pants, on a few zips it was precise and easy to control. Was in Race-Performance. Can’t wait to try the full power “Qualifying” setting
- the wheel touchpads are still annoying and overly complicated, but have mercifully been programmed better than the touchy Roma controls
- the paddles had a slightly annoying vibration/reverb on click. It only had the base paddles and not CF
- tried a few times at red lights to figure out the radio controls and couldn’t. Too complicated for what should be the easiest part of a car dash
- was surprised it had a HUD on the dash
- the side mirrors looked a little convex - very wide field of vision
- racing seats are really hard. Too firm to daily comfortably
- I’ve driven the F8 3 times for about 90 mins total and was not convinced. Despite the public hesitation that this is “only” a V6 I would say from the sensation of balance and even more precise steering that this is more enjoyable to drive.

 

appreciate the write up. Can't wait for my turn which is scheduled for 7/26. I was told that I could have it for one hour.