Ferrari 296 GTB lands in Australia

When Ferrari offered us a chance to have a poke and a prod around its all-new 296 GTB supercar, we weren't about to say no. The figures are, to be frank, ridiculous. This is a plug-in hybrid that generates a massive 611kW from its electrified drivetrain, with the 120-degree 3.0-litre V6 alone contributing 487kW to that figure.

It's quicker to 200km/h than a Ferrari 812 Superfast and boasts a specific output of 163kW per litre. It is, by any measure, one heck of a new edition to the Ferrari range.

It's also a car that we'll get used to in time. Despite representing the biggest step forward of any of the mid-engined supersports models, this rear-wheel drive powerhouse also has a foot on the past, some of the styling touches redolent of the 250 LM from 1963, without other touches that crib from 512 BB and, more latterly, the SF90 Stradale. In fact, it seems far more SF90-lite than anything resembling the 458/488/F8 Tributo family.

Ferrari had flown in an early Rosso Imola left-hooker for us to run the ruler over, so settle in and drink in the details of what might be one of the most revolutionary regular production Ferrari models of recent years. You may well wonder whether a V6 can ever replace a V8 and you may have doubts as to whether a hybrid Ferrari is a better Ferrari. We'll answer those questions in time.

In the meantime, dive in and check out the face and the feature set of Ferrari's bold new future.