POWERTRAIN
The Ferrari 296 GTS's internal combustion engine introduces an unprecedented 120° "vee" configuration with equally-spaced firing and positioning of the turbos inside the vee which produces a much more compact engine and optimally distributed masses.
The architecture is also ideal in terms of combustion sequence and balancing, and offers the additional benefits of integration of the intake plenums and the engine supports on the intake sides of the cylinder heads, while the fluid-dynamics and efficiency of the intake and exhaust line ducts have also been optimised.
This is the first Ferrari road spider with rear-wheel drive plug-in (PHEV) hybrid architecture, which sees the internal combustion engine integrated with a rear-mounted electric motor. The two power units communicate through the TMA actuator, which allows them to be used together or just in electric mode. The electric motor boosts the maximum power of the Ferrari 296 GTS to a category-topping 830 cv, while ensuring the car's versatility in everyday driving and enhancing driving enjoyment, thanks to instantaneous throttle response.
Sound-wise, the V6 engine rewrites the rulebook by harmoniously combining the force of the turbos with the harmony of the high-frequency notes of a naturally-aspirated V12. The first in the F163 engine family, this V6 earned itself the nickname "piccolo V12" (little V12) during the development phase thanks to its top-end scream. This is the result of the 120° vee architecture which guarantees a symmetrical firing order, while the equal-length, tuned exhaust manifolds combined with the single exhaust line outside the hot-V amplify the pressure waves. This lends incredible purity to the orders of harmonics, further helped by a limiter that hits an impressive 8500 rpm.
DESIGN
The changes made for the Ferrari 296 GTS further emphasise the clean, sophisticated lines of the 296 GTB. When the top is down, it is the peerlessly elegant epitome of the open-air hybrid concept. Its unprecedented architecture for a spider, in fact, opens a whole new chapter in the marque's story.
The designers' goal of retaining the 296 GTB's main characteristics required a period of meticulous analysis of the dimensions of its technical components.
There was a clear focus on minimising the impact of any modifications on the exterior bodywork and also on introducing a clear, instantly recognisable theme that would encapsulate the complexity of the design whilst translating it into accomplished linear forms.
The Ferrari 296 GTS's impeccably clean, simple architecture seems the work of a single pencil stroke. There are neither artificial optical effects nor stark colour contrasts. Instead it has a unique identity all of its own that rewrites the entire rulebook by rediscovering the most authentic principles of Italian car design.
Its clean forms and interlocking volumes enhance the uncompromisingly sporty character of the worthy heir to a philosophy that can be traced back to the very roots of Ferrari tradition. Its modernity references 1960s' Ferraris, which made simplicity and functionality their signatures. The 250 LM from 1963, in particular, provided great inspiration through elements such as the design of the B pillar, the rear wings, and Kamm tail.
The need to stow the RHT (Retractable Hard Top) inside the engine compartment inspired the Ferrari Styling Centre team headed by Flavio Manzoni to create a new tonneau cover design, the geometries of which have produced styling elements very different to the Ferrari spiders of the recent past.
While on the 296 GTB the engine bay is completely horizontal and dominated by two flying buttresses, in a nod to the 250 Le Mans archetype, the 296 GTS's tail is absolutely unique.
As is the case with the 296 GTB, the dominant feature of the new car's architecture is the signature 'aero bridge'.
The overall effect is of an extremely compact cabin effortlessly integrated with the wings and flanks.
The buttress theme is further enhanced by contrasting sculpted extensions that frame the engine cover screen and integrate the novel fuel filler and battery charge covers, avoiding an architectural disharmony.
INTERIOR
VEHICLE DYNAMICS
The 296 GTS's dynamic development focussed around boosting the car's pure performance, delivering class-leading levels of driver engagement as well as improving the usability and accessibility not just of the car's speed, but also the hybrid layout.
Specific components have been developed, not least the Transition Manager Actuator (TMA) and the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS). There are also new functions, such as the ABS EVO controller, which uses the data gathered by the 6w-CDS, and the grip estimation integrated with the EPS, seen on the 296 GTB.
How easily accessible and usable the performance is also of significant importance in the 296 GTS: for instance, in electric-only eDrive mode, the car can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h without resorting to the ICE.
In Hybrid mode, on the other hand, the ICE backs up the electric motor when higher performance is required.
Stopping distances in the dry have been significantly shortened by the ABS EVO and its integration with the 6w-CDS sensor, which also ensures more consistent braking force under repeated heavy braking.
The 296 GTB's chassis was redesigned and optimised for the 296 GTS to improve torsional rigidity and beam stiffness compared to previous spider applications. This was achieved to the tune of 50% in the case of the former and 8% in the case of the latter. The main areas involved were the A-pillar, B-pillar and sills.
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