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Ferrari introduces 296 GTS hybrid sports car to Korean market

Published: 05 Aug. 2022, 14:47

Dieter Knechtel, president at Ferrari Far East and Middle East Hub, poses with the 296 GTS sports car. [FERRARI]

Ferrari introduced the 296 GTS sports car to the Korean market Friday, its fourth plug-in hybrid model as the prancing horse brand pushes toward electrification.

The latest sports car is the convertible version of the 296 GTB which was released last year. The two share the same powertrain, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine.

Equipped with a 7.45-kilowatt-hour battery, the plug-in hybrid can travel up to 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) solely on the electric motor.

The 296 GTS boasts a maximum speed of 330 kilometers per hour. It can reach 100 kilometers per hour in 2.9 seconds, and 200 kilometers per hour in 7.6 seconds.

It generates a maximum of 830 horsepower, with 75.4 kilograms-meter of torque.

Interior of the 296 GTS. [FERRARI]

Drivers can open and close the roof when the vehicle is traveling at speeds of 45 kilometers per hour or under. It only takes 14 seconds to completely open the roof.

The price for the Korean market has not been decided yet, but Ferrari said it will start in the mid-400 million won range.

“It’s clear that hybrid and electric power is the way forward and Ferrari has invested significantly in steering the brand in that direction,” said Dieter Knechtel, president at Ferrari Far East and Middle East Hub, during a media event Friday in southern Seoul. “The key consideration is to incorporate this next-generation technology without compromising on power and maintain driving engagement, and the 296 GTS has been engineered to deliver a thrilling performance.”

Ferrari has been releasing one hybrid model every year since 2019. The previous three hybrid models by the brand are the SF90 Stradale, SF90 Spider and 296 GTB.

GTS means Gran Turismo Spider. The Maranello-based luxury automaker adds Spider to its cars' names when describing convertible models.