At first glance, this looks like an unfair fight — a twin-turbo V8 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, the last of Maranello’s pure combustion screamers, lining up against a smaller, quieter, six-cylinder hybrid newcomer: the 296 GTB. But this is Ferrari’s new era, and it’s time to find out if fewer cylinders and a dose of electrification can really outrun one of the brand’s greatest track-focused machines.
On paper, the Pista Spider holds the advantage — a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 710 hp, lightweight construction, and the ultimate track-focused setup. The 296 GTB, meanwhile, relies on a smaller 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 819 hp. Fewer cylinders, but more power and torque on demand.
CarExpert organized the drag race on a regional airport runway, meaning traction is limited and the results won’t match perfectly those of prepped drag surfaces. From the first run, the 296 launches harder, its hybrid system delivering instant torque while the 488 struggles for grip. Despite the Pista’s raw power, the 296 simply walks away once traction settles — a shocking demonstration of how effective Ferrari’s hybrid integration has become.
A second run confirms it. Even with better traction, the 296 edges ahead again, pulling away at higher speeds where the Pista should have had an advantage. The V8’s old-school turbo punch can’t keep up with the seamless torque curve of the hybrid V6. Rolling starts tell the same story.
At 30 km/h, both cars punch it from the same speed, but the 296 once again surges forward — smooth, relentless, and clearly quicker. The result is undeniable: the new Ferrari hybrid beats the last-generation V8 in straight-line acceleration.
