Driving A Supercar In Mumbai! Ferrari 296 GTB India Marks The Start Of An Electrified Era — Review
Mumbai traffic is not the place to drive a Ferrari fast, but small bursts of acceleration are enough to put a smile on my face.
New Delhi: The drive started with the car moving in EV mode and a Ferrari driving experience that begins with absolute silence is a shock to the senses! This is the first time for me that I start driving a supercar in silent/zero emissions EV mode but it does show how the supercar has adapted. Here I was in Mumbai in the middle of a usual weekday behind the wheel of Ferrari's newest supercar- the 296 GTB. It is not just a new car though but a plug-in hybrid and the start of an electrified era. Of course, Ferrari has had previous hybrid hypercars like the SF90 but this is its mid-engined replacement for the F8 Tributo and is also a strong volume seller.
Anyways back to the driver and you can drive the 296 GTB in pure electric mode for about 25km- unreal for a Ferrari. However, I liked the idea behind it to start or cruise at low speeds in EV silence while waking up the engine when needed. It is a new world and even supercars have to adapt.
Everything feels surreal about the 296 GTB right from how the dashboard is wrapped around the driver to the touch capacitive buttons along with the whole futuristic vibe. There are lots of controls for the driver including many modes. In the hybrid mode, I cruise silently but soon the engine wakes up and yes, the typical Ferrari roar also comes back.
This is a new engine for Ferrari a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol unit which when combined with an electric motor, makes around 830bhp. It is the first Ferrari to have a 6-cylinder engine and what an engine it is! Like any Ferrari, the engine loves to rev yet it has enough torque to pull from low revs. It somehow has both and when driving it hard, the Ferrari sound is also spine-tingling.
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Mumbai traffic is not the place to drive a Ferrari fast but small bursts of acceleration are enough to put a smile on my face. The hybrid electric powertrain is the star of the show as it is loud when you want it to be and very fast like any new Ferrari should be.
Outskirts provide me with enough room to see how the 296 GTB races to 100 kmph in just 2.9 seconds and before your brain can process you are already doing three times the speed limit! Yet, the 296 GTB also sounds great while being fun to drive. It is honestly a thrill ride as you hang on.
That said, what shocked me is how the 296 GTB coped with Mumbai traffic. While the car is very low and looks like a spaceship, the ride quality is not too hard and it is surprisingly easy to drive plus look out of. There is visibility and the size is perfect too. The best bit is that you can use the nose lift for speed breakers and not get a heart attack every time you see one.
You can drive this 830 bhp supercar every day in a city like Mumbai with heavy traffic. The 296 GTB feels comfortable and easy. That said, the attention the car gets is second to none though and everyone loves this car along with taking pictures. The car is the star here.
However, it is understandable with a gorgeous design like the 296 GTB as it is low and wide but traces Ferrari's past with some design details from its previous cars. The way the windscreen flows into the side windows to those rear lights, it is the prettiest Ferrari yet.
Inside, the cockpit might get complicated at first view but there is a lot of technology along with different controls when compared to other cars- even the indicators are different on a Ferrari. But, you do get used to it and there is a lot of room inside when compared to other supercars too.
Also, the hybrid powertrain gives fuel economy which is unheard of in a Ferrari, however absurd it might be to talk about fuel economy here!
The 296 GTB costs Rs 5.4 cr and you can further load up some expensive options but again for owners it probably does not matter. What matters is the performance and the looks which blow you away but it is also a Ferrari tuned for everyday useability and city driving- as I discovered on my short drive.
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