• Qatar received the all-new 296 GTB, Ferrari’s new mid-rear-engined Berlinetta sports car shortly after its global digital reveal in Maranello, on 24^th June
• New Ferrari V6 hybrid architecture is capable of delivering up to 830 cv
• The 296 GTB’s plug-in hybrid system maximises usability and driving pleasure
• The 296 GTB is also available with the extreme high-performance Assetto Fiorano package

The 296 GTB, the latest evolution of Maranello’s mid-rear-engined two-seater Berlinetta, premiered in Qatar, just a few short weeks after its global reveal in Maranello. The private preview is held in the luxury showroom of Alfardan Sports Motors, the official Ferrari importer in Qatar, starting Monday July 5th until Wednesday July 7th 2021 where Ferrari aficionados are invited to take a closer look at this new paramount model of Ferrari. The 296 GTB redefines the entire concept of fun behind the wheel, guaranteeing pure emotions not just when pushing the car to its limits, but also in day-to-day driving situations.

The 296 GTB ushers in an authentic revolution for Ferrari as it introduces a new engine type to flank the marque’s multi-award-winning 8- and 12-cylinder power units: a new 663 cv 120° V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 122 kW (167 cv). This is the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road car sporting the Prancing Horse badge: it unleashes its massive 830 cv total power output to deliver previously unthinkable performance levels and an innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack.

The car’s name, which combines its total displacement (2.992 l) and number of cylinders with the GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) acronym, in finest Ferrari tradition, was chosen to underscore this new engine’s epoch-changing importance to Maranello: it is not simply the living, beating heart of the 296 GTB, but also ushers in a new V6 era that has its roots deep in Ferrari’s unparalleled 70-year-plus experience in motor sports.

Commenting on the launch, Steeve Bou Abdou, GM of Ferrari Qatar at Alfardan Sports Motors stated: “It feels great to see Qatar coming back on the track among the first countries to launch the all-new Ferrari 296 GTB. This is a promise we are fulfilling to our customers in the state of Qatar. Alfardan Sports Motors family is delighted to host this activity and to extend the exhilarating Ferrari experience to its customer base.”

The very first Ferrari V6, in fact, featured a 65° architecture and debuted on the 1957, 1500 cc Dino 156 F2 single-seater. This was followed in 1958 by bigger displacement versions on the front-engined sport prototypes - the 196 S and 296 S - and F1 cars, such as the 246 F1 which powered Mike Hawthorn to the F1 Drivers’ Championship title the same year. 

The very first Ferrari to have a mid-rear mounted V6 was the 246 SP in 1961, which won amongst others the Targa Florio both that same year and in 1962. Also in 1961, Ferrari secured its first Constructors’ title in the Formula 1 World Championship with the 156 F1, which was powered by a 120° V6. Ferrari first installed turbos between an engine’s cylinder banks on the 126 CK in 1981 and subsequently on the 126 C2 in 1982, which became the first turbo-charged car to win the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship title. This was followed up with a second title in 1983 with the 126 C3. Lastly, V6 turbo hybrid architecture has been used on all Formula 1 single-seaters since 2014.

The 296 GTB’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system guarantees it is an incredibly usable car as well as cutting pedal response times to zero and delivering a 25km range in all-electric eDrive mode. The car’s compact dimensions and the introduction of innovative dynamic control systems as well as meticulously honed aero ensure that the driver will instantly experience its astonishing agility and responsiveness to commands. Its sporty, sinuous design and extremely compact dimensions also visually underscore its exceptional modernity, brilliantly referencing the likes of the 1963 250 LM, the perfect marriage of simplicity and functionality.

As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, for clients who want to exploit the car’s extreme power and performance to the utmost, particularly on the track, the 296 GTB is also available with the Assetto Fiorano package, which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.

The Ferrari 296 GTB is available only through Alfardan Sports Motors, the official Ferrari importer in Qatar.

Images and dynamic B-Roll of the cars can be downloaded from www.media.ferrari.com