Ferrari's V6 hybrid changed what a junior Ferrari means. Here is a UAE buyer's guide to the 296 GTB and 296 GTS - the tech, the GTB-versus-GTS decision, and real prices from cars listed on Carzle.
When Ferrari put a twin-turbo V6 in the back of the 296, some purists winced. Then they drove it. The 296 pairs a 3.0-litre V6 with a plug-in hybrid system for a combined output of around 830 hp, making the entry Ferrari quicker than supercars that cost far more a few years ago. The 296 GTB is the fixed-roof coupe; the 296 GTS is the retractable-hardtop spider. In a market like the UAE, where open-top driving is part of the appeal and Ferrari demand runs deep, the 296 has quickly become one of the most sought-after cars in the range.
This guide covers what the 296 is about, how the GTB and GTS differ, and what they cost in the UAE right now - based on what is actually listed on Carzle.
Mechanically the GTB and GTS are the same car. The 296 GTB is the coupe; the 296 GTS adds a retractable hard top that folds in around 14 seconds and turns the car into a proper open-top Ferrari without wrecking the lines. The GTS carries a small weight penalty and a price premium over the GTB, and in the UAE the spider is often the more wanted of the two - open-top driving suits the climate and the evenings here. If you plan to keep the roof up most of the time, the GTB is the purer, slightly lighter, slightly cheaper choice. If the drop-top experience matters, the GTS is worth the premium and tends to be easier to sell on.
The 296 is still new enough that the used market is thin - these cars do not change hands often yet. Right now there is a single 296 GTS listed on Carzle: a 2025 car at AED 1,399,000 with just 2,260 km. That is effectively a delivery-mileage example and a useful benchmark for what a nearly-new GTS trades at in the UAE. Because supply is so limited, prices hold firm; there is no discounting on a car this new and this in-demand. As more 296s reach their second owners over the next couple of years, expect a wider spread and clearer GTB-versus-GTS pricing to emerge.
The heart of the 296 is a 120-degree 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 - the piccolo V12, as Ferrari likes to call it for its high-revving character - working with a rear-mounted electric motor. Combined output is about 830 hp, 0-100 km/h takes roughly 2.9 seconds, and there is a short all-electric range for slipping through the city silently. In UAE traffic the hybrid side is genuinely useful: instant torque off the line, smooth low-speed manners, and an eDrive mode for early mornings. On an open road, the V6 spins to 8,500 rpm and sounds nothing like an apology for the missing cylinders.
Because most 296s in the UAE are still close to new, the buying risk is lower than on an older supercar - but the checklist is not zero.
The 296's most natural rivals are the cars it is regularly cross-shopped against in the UAE. It is worth seeing how it lines up against the Porsche 911 at one end and, inside the Ferrari range, against the plug-in hybrid SF90 at the other. For everything currently in stock, browse all Ferrari listings on Carzle.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Prices, specifications and availability are indicative, vary by trim and GCC specification, and change without notice - confirm current figures with the selling dealer. Government fees, registration, import, customs and traffic regulations are subject to change; always verify current requirements directly with the relevant UAE authority (RTA, MOEI, Customs, your emirate's traffic department) or your insurer before acting. Carzle is a marketplace: vehicles are listed and sold by independent licensed dealers, and Carzle is not a party to any sale.
AED 1,999,000
AED 9,999,999
AED 3,099,000
