Hi all! New to the forum, have been browsing 296 threads but this is my first post. I got invited to Ferrari 296GTB event held at Salsomaggiore Terme area in Italy last weekend. We had a group of ~25 people from Finland and Estonia attending the event. I think total amount of people attending was something like 100 (including some Avecs who didn’t drive). During the day1 we got a change to check out cars in detail at the front of the hotel, after that there was briefing sessions where all kinds of info about the car was told and after that we got to do a testdrive on the road. We spent day2 at Varano Racetrack. First we had demo session when professional drivers drove the cars and gave quick info about the car and track. After that there was longer briefing sessions about the track&cars and after that each driver got possiblity to do 3 driving sessions, (3-4 laps each session). Professional drivers were sitting next to you and were co-piloting, they informed when to brake, turn in, etc. During the waiting time for racetrack sessions there was a little time challenge on the parking area just using electric eDrive-mode. Each driver had 1+3 laps on very very small 8 shaped track with one chicane created of traffic cones (laptimes like 23-27sec so the track was very tiny). I have done only small test drive with F12 last summer and rental 458 Italia at Monaco decade ago so cannot really comment on differences between other Ferraris compared to 296 except that the car is awesome! Handling, driving and performance are just insane and the look is absolutely gorgeous! The whole two day event was so glorious experience that after one night sleep at home I decided yesterday to do pre-order agreement for 296 Spider Lots of time to do configuration (I will definitely go for Maranello factory visit and do the final configuration there!) but will most likely choose Blu Corsa with (Bianco?) white seats with blue stitching and ventilation, black dashboard, carbon fiber diffuser, front&side spoilers, steering wheel and front tunnel, adas package, premium hifi, grigio wheels, yellow brake calibers, shields and some other small things. Here are some pics and videos of the trip: https://ferrari296.pictures.fi/kuvat/Esperienza%20Ferrari%209-10.4.2022/ If you have anything to ask I will do my best!
Thanks for the slide show. What an event! Anything about the car that caught you by surprise? Thoughts on engine note from inside and outside of car?
Roads around the small town were in quite bad condition and the car was amazingly comfortable to drive there (roads are in bad condition here in Finland too!). I was also surprised about the sounds of that V6 engine, really nice sounds but I personally like loud backfire sound when downshifting and it didn’t impress that much but hopefully there will be Novitec/iPE aftermarket exhaust to make it better
After driving both versions which did you like and which will you order? Thank you for the report, impressions and pictures. Just curious why did they hold the event and we’re all the participants newish to Ferrari? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think this event is part of the introduction of the car to prospects so for example one UK dealer is sending about a dozen people to Italy for a similar couple of days in May
There was only 296GTB to test, Spider/GTS haven’t been published yet. The event is 2days session and if I understood correctly they organized it for 5 times for people from different countries now before easter (4-14th). It was for the people who has shown interest of 296 to local dealer. Some people were new to the brand and some already had a Ferrari.
Dont know much about them, but in price list with Assetto Fiorano Extended package (27000eur) you can buy ”Fiorano Racing Livery” (15000eur) which is (afaik) that stripe.
thanks for posting. Glad you loved the car. Good to get some real perspective from someone who's driven the car.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your experience and photos and videos! Congratulations! Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
I I am about to order my 296 GTS too, do they say 296 has ADAS(adaptive cruise conrrol) option like Roma? And does 296 have HUD? If yes, what is it like?
It does have ADAS option. If you do full ADAS or adaptive cruise you get a big radar box in the t-tray area. Also camera mount bulges under side mirrors. it should have HUD standard. I’ve heard it should match SF90 but haven’t seen it myself.
