Ferrari 296 GT3
The Ferrari 296 GT3 represents the future of the Prancing Horse in GT racing, a sector that has always seen the closest relationship with customers and the greatest transfer of technology and innovative solutions to production cars. The 296 GT3 grew out of the 296 GTB, the latest evolution of the Maranello-based company’s two-seater sports berlinetta concept with a mid-rear engine.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 is an innovative project, on and off the track, that the Prancing Horse manufacturer decided to develop to continue a winning tradition that dates back to 1949 when the 166 MM triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is a new approach in terms of design, car management at all stages of a race weekend, electronics and even architecture of the engine, a 120° turbocharged 6-cylinder. A new concept built to meet the needs of teams, professional drivers and gentleman drivers, on which Ferrari has always focused. This car has been meticulously designed in every detail and from every angle, according to the new GT3 regulations.
engine and gearbox
The Ferrari 296 GT3 marks the return to the track of a Ferrari with a six-cylinder engine, although, in accordance with technical regulations, it does not have the electric unit that the 296 GTB has. A 120° V configuration with equally spaced ignitions was introduced for the 296 GT3’s V6 combustion engine. This is based on its road twin, as is the positioning of the turbos within the V. All of this brings significant benefits in terms of compactness, lower center of gravity and reduced mass, and also helps achieve very high power levels. tall. The engine, which has always been at the heart of Ferrari designs, is set further forward and lower than in the road version, benefiting from a lower center of gravity and torsional stiffness, which is around 10% higher than in the 488 GT3. .
2023 Ferrari 296 GT3
The architecture is a winner in terms of firing order, integration of intake manifolds and engine mounts on the intake sides of the cylinder heads: the engine is lighter and more compact by eliminating external plenums and mounts. Its internal fluid dynamics benefits from reduced volume, which increases intake efficiency.
Ferrari engineers worked with those of its partners to design and tune all of the engine’s internal fluid dynamics and the specific components adopted for the track version of the power unit. Their goal was to provide uncompromising performance, reliability and driveability for “Sprint” and “Endurance” racing. For this type of competition, they went to great lengths to significantly limit consumption without sacrificing performance, aiming for more flexible race strategies and reduced intervention times. For example, the alternator is attached to the gearbox to improve the compactness and rigidity of the unit and to make it easier for technicians to access.
The gearbox of the Ferrari 296 GT3 is new and specially developed for this car. Designers opted for a single-disc clutch unit with six gears, arranged transversely to improve aerodynamics and weight distribution. Clutch actuation is now electronic and can be controlled from the steering wheel, rather than mechanically with the pedal, while gear changing is electrically actuated. The miniaturization of the components and the use of premium materials kept the weight of the Xtrac gearbox low, benefiting performance.
Exterior and aerodynamics
Ferrari’s future in GT racing has a sinuous shape, wrapping around the volumes of the 296 GTB, redefining them to meet track and performance requirements thanks to teamwork between Centro Stile, aerodynamicists and designers. This is why the design of the car, minus any aerodynamic devices or features specific to the racing version, has retained its connection to the production model. The design of the latter already refers to vehicles such as the 250 LM from 1963, a perfect combination of simplicity and functionality.
Ferrari engineers have been able to define an aerodynamic setup within the homologation performance window by reducing ride height sensitivities with the aim of improving handling and drivability. This precise and detailed work on the shapes produced a 20% gain in the car’s downforce compared to the previous generation. From this perspective, the 296 GT3 lives in symbiosis with the air around it, harnessing it to maximize grip and handling, benefiting gentlemen and professional drivers alike. The challenge facing the designers was to limit the car’s sensitivity to forces generated by aerodynamics, to provide extraordinary balance for the benefit of driveability and driver confidence. The geometry of all components, from the bodywork to the wing appendages, was designed in detail under varying operating conditions and in mutual aerodynamic interaction to optimize performance and make it robust in different racing contexts, also when in the wake of others. cars. From the front splitter to the rear extractor, which has a diffuser with a sophisticated three-dimensional design, the 296 GT3 stands out for a refined design that aims to achieve as little aerodynamic drag as possible.
Cabin
Intuition, visibility and accessibility are essential for the development of the cabin design without neglecting essential aspects such as safety and comfort. In endurance racing, performance depends on these characteristics, especially for gentleman drivers. The cockpit has been completely redesigned on the 488 GT3, in response to input from factory drivers and customers. The result is a cabin that allows its occupant to quickly and efficiently find the best driving position, with the main functions always within easy reach. Many controls and functions have been moved to the new Formula 1-inspired steering wheel, while the Sabelt seating position provides optimal visibility, both day and night. It also adds a new level of comfort for drivers of different sizes and heights who can use the adjustable pedals and steering to find their best position in the car. The air conditioning system and airflow inside the cabin were designed to provide adequate ventilation in all conditions, helping the driver to concentrate during each stage of a race.
Chassis and vehicle dynamics
Although the chassis of the 296 GT3 is based on the experience of the 488 GT3, it is completely new and made of aluminium. As well as being extremely easy and fun to drive, the 296 GT3 can exploit the grip potential offered by the tires without compromising their integrity in just a few laps, benefiting performance and repeatability. The extreme lightness of the chassis contributes to this, which in the 296 GT3 also allows better and more efficient ballast management. The security structure has been carefully designed using the most sophisticated simulations and innovative technologies and research, especially in alloys and materials.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 has a longer wheelbase than its street counterpart, within regulatory limits, and a different suspension design than the 488 GT3, with dedicated kinematics and structures. The double-wishbone arms on the front and rear suspensions are designed to offer maximum grip even at high speeds, limiting stress on the tires as much as possible, to the benefit of tire life, performance and reliability. tires. The suspension, like the stabilizer bars, features the widest possible range of settings, giving drivers the best possible setup. The brake system was also revised and improved, with newly designed calipers and discs (now 400mm at the front). Rotiform has developed a completely new homologated forged wheel specifically for the 296 GT3. Encompassed in the partnership, the new Rotiform design will be the exclusive wheel offered for all factory Ferrari 296 GT3 professional-level race cars.
In designing the 296 GT3, Ferrari engineers concentrated on speeding up the car’s track operations during and before the race. From this point of view, it is easier to modify the configuration of the 296 GT3 than the previous model due to more accessible mechanical and elastic components. Operations related to engine controls or major accessory systems have also been significantly improved to reduce intervention time on the car. However, the new Ferrari also differs significantly from its rivals in terms of the replacement of significant parts of the car. The front and rear parts can be changed in seconds due to a series of devices and solutions that ensure a quick return to the track after any damage that affects aerodynamics or performance.
Developing
The Ferrari 296 GT3 was developed with extreme use in mind, typical of “Pro” classes where victory is the ultimate goal, and for gentleman drivers, for whom racing is above all fun. The entire concept of the project emerged in 2020 and was launched with the first CFD simulations and simulator models. Then came the indoor tests, which defined the aerodynamic shape of the car in the wind tunnel, the engine test bench and the rigidity of the vehicle’s chassis. The car finally completed endurance testing at the 4WD Dyno in Maranello. Since the first shakedown at the Fiorano track on April 12, 2022, the new Ferrari has covered tens of thousands of kilometers preparing it for racing, the most difficult challenge of all.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- ENGINE
- Type F163CE, 6 cylinders. V 120°, 4 valves per cylinder, 2992 cm3, GDI Turbo
- Bore/Stroke: 88 x 82mm
- Maximum power: approx. 600 hp at 7250 rpm
- Max torque: approx. 710Nm at 5500rpm
- GEARBOX
- 6-speed transverse sequential gearbox
- Gear shifting with e-shift rotary actuator with paddles on the steering wheel
- Electronic clutch actuator with paddle on the flywheel
- Magnesium gearbox with integrated oil collection tank
- Pneumatic preload adjustable differential
- CHASSIS
- Tracks: 1726 mm front / 1710 mm rear
- Width: 2050mm max (without mirrors)
- Wheelbase: 2660mm
- Weight (without fuel, without driver): 1250 kg
- Front and rear suspension: double wishbone, tubular steel suspension arms, aluminum stanchions. Adjustable shock absorbers in 5 positions
- Tires: Front 12.5″ x 18″, Rear 13″ x 18″
- Tires: Front 30/68/18, Rear 31/71/18
- Brake discs: Front Ø 400×36, Rear 332×32
- Brake calipers: Front 6 pistons, Rear 4 pistons
- Brake Pads: Front 30mm, Rear 26.5mm