Ferrari 296 GTS

Of the 51 V6 cars in Dream Car Garage’s 600-car catalogue, just 8 combine that engine layout with MR drivetrain. The Ferrari 296 GTS sits inside that small group, and its position becomes even more distinctive when the V6 is paired with twin turbocharging and hybrid assistance. This is not simply a V6 entry in the collection, it is one of the few examples where those elements meet in the same specification.

The numbers place it firmly towards the sharp end of the catalogue. Its 819 bhp ranks 42nd out of 600 cars, putting it in the top 7% for power, while its 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds is quicker than 517 cars in the collection. A top speed of 330 km/h places it 109th overall, showing a car that competes near the highest levels across the measures that define a supercar.

What makes the 296 GTS particularly interesting is the way its specification avoids following a single path. Its 3.0-litre V6 uses twin-turbocharging, while the hybrid system contributes to a total output of 819 bhp and 740 Nm of torque. The result is a 2 seater targa top from Italy that combines a relatively compact displacement with figures that place it among much larger performance machines in the wider catalogue.

The Ferrari badge also carries weight within this collection. Ferrari accounts for 53 of the 600 cars, making the 296 GTS part of a significant presence rather than an isolated addition. Its used price of £260,000 ranks 138th out of 600, placing it above 462 cars by cost. At £317 per bhp, it represents a clear focus on performance within its price position.

The 296 GTS occupies an unusual space in the catalogue because its defining feature is not just speed, power, or price. It is the combination of a V6, twin turbocharging, hybrid technology, and MR drivetrain that separates it from most of the cars around it. Only 23 of the 600 cars share the twin-turbocharged V6 formula, and fewer combine it with MR.

The opening comparison now looks different. The Ferrari 296 GTS is not simply one of 51 V6 cars, but one of 8 that connect this engine layout with MR, creating a distinct corner of the collection. For a dream garage, it represents a choice built around a rare combination of engineering characteristics, adding a car whose identity comes from how its pieces fit together.