It’s not that often that you get to line up a Ferrari road car against its full-blown race car sibling. That’s precisely what the folks from Australian publication CarExpert did with the Ferrari 296 GTB and the Ferrari 296 GT3, putting them head-to-head on an airport runway. On paper, they may look similar, but under the skin, they’re very different machines.
The 296 GTB road car combines a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with hybrid assistance, producing 819 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, capable of reaching speeds of over 205 mph. The GT3, by contrast, completely eliminates hybrid technology. Its twin-turbo V6 delivers around 600 horsepower and 712 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox and a lightweight racing chassis.
The first standing-start race revealed just how quick the GTB really is. Despite poor surface conditions and the GT3 running on wet tires, the road car’s hybrid system launched it forward like a missile. Even after a second run, the GT3 struggled for traction while the GTB surged ahead. The acceleration was shocking, especially for a first-time drive in the 296 GTB—it redefined expectations of what a V6 Ferrari can do.
For the rolling race, traction was less of an issue, and the GT3 began to show its edge. Once up to speed, the difference between the two cars tightened dramatically, resulting in thrillingly close runs. Still, the GTB’s hybrid punch proved challenging to match.
