Features / 2 May 2022 / Michael Taylor

Ferrari 296 GTB vs Lamborghini Huracan Evo – Supercar showdown

The Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid V6 has arrived in South Africa, adding a fourth model to the supercar maker’s local line-up.

At just over R6 million, it goes up against the Lamborghini Huracan Evo – a car with the performance and price tag to match that of its Italian rival.

We compared these supercars to see what you get.

High-end performance

Powering the Lamborghini is a 5.2-litre, naturally-aspirated, V10 engine that generates 470kW and 600Nm.

This allows the Huracan to achieve an incredible top speed of 325km/h. Equally impressive is its acceleration, as it can go from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds.

The Ferrari, on the other hand, takes a different approach.

The 296 is a hybrid, and motorists are able to drive up to 25km at 135km/h on purely electrical power.

Flick a switch on the steering wheel, and you get access to its 3.0-litre, turbocharged, V6 motor – which gives the 296 GTB a whopping output of up to 610kW and 740Nm.

This lets the car reach 100km/h in a time of 2.9 seconds, like the Huracan, and hit a top speed in excess of 330km/h.

The Ferrari is rear-wheel-drive and employs an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Lamborghini is all-wheel-drive and has a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Both cars are then mid-engined to ensure nearly equal weight distribution for better handling and performance.

Italian design

It’s not hard to see that both of these cars have the ability to turn heads as they cruise the streets.

But their designs are meant to be both flashy and functional.

The 296 GTB was crafted to have a compact, modern design according to Ferrari, taking inspiration from the 1963 Ferrari 250 Le Mans with a flying buttress and integrated spoiler in the rear.

It has a shorter wheelbase, giving the car a more agile feel that Ferrari has likened to that of a go-kart.

Of course, the Lamborghini doesn’t disappoint on the visual front either – with an aerodynamic body design that takes inspiration from several of the brand’s previous models.

The front bumpers are modeled after the Countach, the skirt air intakes from the Murcielago, and the central high-mounted exhaust tailpipes recall the high-performance models of the past.

In terms of features, both cars include keyless start, automatic climate control, paddle shifters, 20-inch alloy wheels, multifunction steering wheels, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, and LED lights.

The Ferrari also sees cruise control and electronically-adjustable seats as standard, while the Lamborghini is kitted out with an 8.4-inch touchscreen in the centre console.