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2026 Ferrari 296 GTS Review: The Hybrid Prancing Horse on the Streets of Australia
Few automakers conjure the image of pure driving exhilaration quite like Ferrari. The very name promises power, precision, and a visceral connection to racing heritage. However, the automotive world is constantly evolving, and so are the cars that bear this iconic badge. Today, we get behind the wheel of the 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, a radical reimagining of the supercar formula that blends hybridization with pure combustion power, and delve into the newly launched Ferrari Challenge Australasia, a dedicated racing series aimed at bringing amateur drivers into the world of Ferrari motorsport.
A Symphony of Power: My First Time Behind the Wheel
As a motoring journalist with over a decade of experience navigating the world’s most exceptional vehicles, there are some moments that stand out in your career. For me, the chance to drive a Ferrari for the first time was undoubtedly one of those moments. The question, “Have you driven a Ferrari before?” might seem trivial, but as I carefully settled into the driver’s seat of the 296 GTS, painted in the breathtaking Rosso Imola red, I realized I hadn’t.
This drive from Adelaide to The Bend Motorsport Park was not just a test drive; it was a rite of passage. The realization that I was finally behind the wheel of a genuine Ferrari, even in this hybrid iteration, made the entire experience that much more poignant. From the moment I touched the unique, heavy key, I was immersed in a world of automotive luxury.
The First Impressions: Beauty, Aggression, and Pure Emotion
Getting into the 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS is an exercise in precision. The cabin is remarkably intimate, perched low to the ground, and every surface screams performance. The steering wheel feels alive in your hands, a tangible connection to the power waiting under the hood. The ergonomic design, while sporty, prioritizes the driver above all else, ensuring that every control is within easy reach.
But let’s be realistic, this is a supercar. Utility is not the priority. Finding space for your water bottle can be a challenge, and if you have more than a backpack with you, you might be out of luck. But does it matter? This is a two-seater Ferrari supercar. It features a “Qualifying Mode” that allows for maximum performance, giving you all the power you could possibly need. Why worry about practicality when you’re driving a Ferrari?
Heritage and Innovation: The Ferrari Challenge Australasia
The inherent link to motorsport is a central theme for Ferrari as a brand, and it is particularly evident in the 296 model. The primary objective of our journey was the official launch of the Ferrari Challenge Australasia racing series, set to begin in 2025. Getting the opportunity to drive the road-legal 296 on the way to The Bend was simply a bonus.
Video: Ferrari 296 GTB Hot Lap with David Russell
While the road drive was exhilarating, the true purpose of our visit was the official launch of the Ferrari Challenge Australasia. This new racing series extends the successful Club Challenge program that has been operating in Australia since 2022. Ferrari has always understood the emotional pull of motorsport, and the Ferrari Challenge is designed to tap into that passion.
Ferrari Challenge Australasia: The Next Step for Clienti
Ferrari Club Challenge gives customers the chance to purchase a Challenge race car, which has historically been the 488 Evo model, and participate in track days. These events are supported by professional coaching and technical support, combined with the level of hospitality that Ferrari customers expect. It’s more than just racing; it’s an experience.
The Evolution of the Challenge Car
Like its counterparts in Europe, North America, the UK, and Japan, Australia will now have the next level of Ferrari’s ‘clienti’ program—a dedicated one-make racing series. Instead of targeting existing professional racing drivers, like those in GT World Challenge Australia or Carrera Cup, Ferrari aims to bring new drivers into the sport.
The incentive? The all-new 296 Challenge, which is, as expected, a masterpiece of automotive engineering. As the third generation of Challenge cars, following the 458 and 488, the key is in the refinement. Ferrari has taken everything that worked in the previous models and enhanced it to create something truly exceptional.
Enhancing Performance and Driver Comfort
For example, the previous V8-powered versions often suffered from understeer, which is typical for cars designed for amateur drivers. However, thanks to an advanced s-duct at the front and swan neck mounts on the rear wing, Ferrari has been able to boost overall downforce and shift the balance more towards the front. This doesn’t compromise the rear-end grip, making the car easier to drive without feeling artificial.
Furthermore, the new braking package provides a much wider operating window. Even more importantly, the removal of the hybrid system allowed for a powerful air conditioning unit, significantly improving driver comfort. While the first V6-powered Challenge car may lack the electric assistance of its road-going counterpart, Ferrari has tuned the engine and exhaust to produce around 700 horsepower, significantly higher than the isolated ICE power from the road car.
Video: AVL Takes a Hot Lap in the Ferrari 296 Challenge
The 2026 Ferrari Challenge Australasia promises to be a significant event for the brand. The entire series is aligned with Ferrari dealerships, ensuring that customers purchasing a 296 Challenge will buy it from their trusted Ferrari agent. The dealership will then partner with an approved Ferrari team, which will work closely with AF Corse from Italy and Motokinetic here in Australia.
You can take your 296 Challenge home with you, but when it comes to racing, the service is all-inclusive. Your dealer-aligned team, guided by these Italian and local partners, will run the car for you. They provide you with an engineer, mechanics, and a dedicated driver coach. Not to mention the access to top-notch amenities and food during track days. From what we saw at The Bend, it will be a premium experience.
Understanding the Cost of Ferrari Ownership
Ferrari has always been tight-lipped about pricing, and they only reveal numbers if they think you might actually purchase one of these exclusive vehicles. Interestingly, the race car is often cheaper than its road-going counterpart because it isn’t subject to the same taxes and registration requirements as road vehicles. However, “cheaper” is relative. The cost of the car itself and the racing program for a season is not for the faint-hearted.
The expense of both the car and the racing program means it will be targeted at amateur drivers, rather than professional racers. Ferrari expects to have 18-20 cars on the grid next year and claims that most of those spots are already filled. The five-round calendar is impressive, starting as a support category for the Bathurst 12 Hour and then joining the new SRO series at Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park, and The Bend. Another SMP event will be hosted by Ferrari itself.
The 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS: Driving Impressions
Now, let’s get back to the road. The beauty of modern supercars is that the brutality of aggressive engine tuning and harsh clutches, once characteristic of these types of cars, is now mitigated by cutting-edge technology.
Driving in the Hybrid Era
With the hybrid system in the 296 GTS, you can actually drive in traffic under full electric power, and there’s plenty of it. It’s only when you give it a sufficient throttle that the twin-turbo V6 comes to life. Again, the delivery of the internal combustion engine (ICE) is smooth as silk; in fact, if it weren’t for the noise, you wouldn’t even know it’s there. The automatic switch from electric to ICE is a fun party trick, but I found myself preferring the raw power of the V6.
Performance on the Open Road
Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of fun. Even letting off the throttle is enjoyable, given the full turbo experience that has been provided. If you love the aggressive sound of turbochargers, you’re in for a treat.
Thankfully, at least for those of us who appreciate a raw driving experience, the sanitization has only been applied to the low-speed driving. Once you get out on faster, bumpier roads, you know you’re driving a Ferrari. You feel every bit of the road. For a purist with a racing background, this is an incredible experience.
One word of caution: when they say the steering is direct, they mean it. It’s perfectly manageable on the open road, but be gentle when avoiding potholes. You can find yourself in a different lane very quickly.
What This Means for the Modern Driver
The 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS represents a significant shift in the supercar landscape. It challenges the notion that electrification compromises the driving experience. For Ferrari, it’s all about delivering emotional highs through technological advancement. The fact that you can drive in silent electric mode through
