Reduced weight, even more extreme performance. If the Ferrari 296 GTB it is already small and terrible in itself thanks to its six-cylinder hybrid that has nothing to envy to the prince splitting in Maranello, that V12 that many consider a sacred monster, the berlinetta V6 can give even more in its extreme racing version : we are talking about the Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano that we had the opportunity to put to the test on the Monteblanco circuit, a technical and fast track just outside Seville on the occasion of the world premiere test drive of the new Prancing Horse supercar.
Among the curves of the track in the heart of Andalusia, the first contact with the 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano first of all it made us appreciate the agility and promptness of this short wheelbase berlinetta, with the ability to unload all the 830 hp of total power of the electrified powertrain to the ground through engaging driving dynamics. The progressive and high-pitched singing of the V6 will not be that of the V12 but with the manettino in Race and the eManettino (the virtual alter-ego of the best-known driving mode selector) positioned in Performance, the sound of the thermal has accompanied us since from the first acceleration. At the end of the straight, the first change of direction to the right brings the new supercar of the Prancing Horse to lower its pulse and then undertakes a first fast left corner that opens up a sector with which to play with the steering and paddle shift of the F1 double clutch gearbox. 8 relationships that can never be given up on a track day.
The Michelins contribute to the feeling of control and composure that you get even when taking corners at higher speeds. Pilot Sport Cup 2R K2, specially developed by the French company and the Maranello brand to fit the rims of the new berlinetta. These are tires designed for use on the track and for high performance driving and made with a special compound composed of functional elastomers, which makes the material more homogeneous. The result is a very high level of dry grip which allows very high cornering speeds. The configuration in Assetto Fiorano also boasts a reduced weight and an aerodynamic focus superior to the version of the 296 GTB designed for road use: in the first case the carbon fiber for the front bumper, the door panels and other external and internal elements. However, it was not a mere replacement but a real redesign of the components which allowed a saving of 12 kg on the scale.
A decrease in weight which then can reach 15 kg if you opt for the ultra-light Lexan rear window. These features are then flanked by the use of Multimatic shock absorbers borrowed directly from GT racing, with a fixed adjustment that has been specifically calibrated for circuit driving. Thanks to the aforementioned carbon fiber for the high-load appendages in the front, the vertical load also improves, with 10 kg more than the standard version. The rear load also improves, which on the Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano is equal to a maximum of 360 kg at 250 km / h in High Downforce configuration thanks to the active aerodynamic appendage that the Maranello technicians have applied to the hybrid V6, evolving what has already been seen on the Ferrari LaFerrari.
The powertrain does not change from the traditional version, with the Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano being powered by an electrified powertrain consisting of the 663 hp 2.9-liter six-cylinder 120 ° V engine delivered at 8,000 rpm, combined with a 122 kW (167 hp) axial flow unit, the so-called MGU-K which is positioned in line with the thermal engine between the engine and gearbox. To these are added the TMA actuator for the decoupling of the electric machine and the heat engine, the inverter aimed at managing the electric motors and the high-voltage battery with a capacity of 7.45 kWh. The latter guarantees a full electric range of 25 km. The powertrain and gearbox are cooled by two radiators installed in front of the front wheels, alongside the condensers that cool the high-voltage battery. The total power is therefore 830 hp and 740 Nm of maximum torque, for a speed of over 330 km / h and a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in just 2.9 seconds.
The 296 GTB is equipped with a new ABS Evo controller that has been designed exclusively for Ferrari, available in the ‘Race’ positions onwards, which exploits the information of the 6w-CDS offering an even more precise analysis of the speed and optimizing the distribution. braking. In fact, the 6w-CDS sensor provides more information than the Yaw Rate Sensor (YRS), thus allowing the condition of the car to be determined more precisely by optimizing interventions. It is thus possible to make the most of the longitudinal force of the tires during straight-line braking and in combination, with a significant performance improvement even compared to other Prancing Horse cars: compared to the F8 Tributo, for example, the 296 GTB reduces stopping distance by 8.8% at 200-0 km / h, increasing repeatability and consistency of performance by 24%. If in Maranello it has already been renamed the berlinetta with the small V12, there is a reason: the driving pleasure that in those parts now calls fun to drive is an inherent characteristic of this model, created to entertain thanks to agility and to unparalleled handling. The Ferrari 296 GTB is an authentic sports car, with a song that does not struggle to reach the ears when one asks for something more from the six-cylinder. In Assetto Fiorano, everything is brought to an even more energetic level. It only takes 34,000 euros more than the basic version (which starts at 269,000 euros) to be able to have all the credentials both on the road and on track-days.
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