Feature: Full speed in the world’s quickest Ferrari
What about a 296 GTB?To discover out, I took a trip to Dubai where I made my associate with the 296 GTB for the first time. Yes, I had actually forgotten that the 296 GTB is basically part-EV. And that implied I might get an essence of what the 296 GTB might do with no holds barred. The roller rollercoaster was an adrenaline rush that made me shout and scream in a cacophony of excitement, fear and disbelief, whereas the 296 was a dopamine release that serenaded me into a hypnotic trance that was similarly luring, but a lot longer lasting.In my mind, I was no less than Charles Leclerc.Out of the 2 experiences, I would keep in mind short circumstances of the Formula Rossa, as a lot of were lost in the uncertainty of making it out untouched. I would clearly remember for the rest of my life, each and every minute of how it felt to drive the 296 GTB at complete pitch, piercing through the sands of time.Copyright (c) Autocar India.
Can the worlds fastest roller rollercoaster use the same delights as an actual Ferrari? We race to Abu Dhabi to find out.Published On Feb 26, 2023 08:00:00 AM0-240kph in 4.9 sec, a gravitational pull of 4.8 G, weaves as sharp as a fighter jet, and just a seat lock holding you into place. That is the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi– the worlds fastest roller rollercoaster. Clearly, absolutely nothing can come close to providing the very same feeling on the road. Or can it? What about a real Ferrari? What about one with 830hp, a 0-100kph time of just 2.8 sec and a leading speed of 330kph? What about a 296 GTB?To discover, I travelled to Dubai where I made my associate with the 296 GTB for the very first time. Completed in Argento Nürburgring (since a Ferrari paint shade cant be as basic as Silver), the 296 was gleaming in the intense middle eastern sun. Nevertheless, I had no time to sit and romanticise about the design. I fired up the mid-mounted 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, anticipating that traditional Ferrari eruption on start-up, only to be greeted by the ping of the electronics coming on. Yes, I had actually forgotten that the 296 GTB is essentially part-EV. Needless to say, I changed to Performance as quickly as I could, and the engine barked into life, in what was a most un-V6 sound.Now Dubai, unlike India, has no room for transgression, so the 100-odd kilometre drive to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi would have to be covered with surgical accuracy. A speed limit of 120kph, which the 296 GTB accomplishes in 2nd equipment, implied I had to resort to travel control, which feels ridiculous in a Ferrari. Coming To Ferrari World in a Ferrari was a phenomenon too. Kids in shock and wonder, a lot of thumbs up by the parents, and the baffled looks given by security workers who probably wondered if I had actually nicked one from inside the amusement park.As I was navigating to the parking area in outright silence, thanks to the eD mode, I could hear the rumblings of the roller coaster in the range with faint screams of the passengers. And before I might fathom in which instructions the horror was happening, the F1-styled rollercoaster hurried out of a dogleg and blasted past me, leaving a dust storm. It was my very first look of the Formula Rossa, and even though I was at an amusement park, absolutely nothing about it seemed amusing.The rollercoaster stays true to its name and tests your body to its limits.The flight started with a timeless F1-style start, involving the famous five traffic signals that only made me consider David Croft screaming out– “lights out and away we go!” And away we went. The very first 100 metres were a shock to the system. Then as the rollercoaster went up to uncomfortable heights, there was a spooky silence, which was right away disrupted by screams as we reviewed into a huge drop that nearly knocked me out.Following that were sudden twists that attempted everything to chuck me off my seat, and a number of quick curves that seemed like I remained in an auto accident. Before I might calculate what my body had been through, I was back in the pavilion. Palms sweaty, heart pumping and students dilated. It was an experience that checked my body and one that needs to be experienced a minimum of once.Candyland for every single petrol-head but paradise for every single Ferrari fan.As I walked back into the park, gasping for air, the abundance of Ferraris all over was rather relaxing. I avoided the activities and stores, since it was important that I discovered out how much of this thrill the 296 could offer.I navigated to a location that is well-known amongst supercar owners in Dubai, which likewise, unassociated Im sure, happened to have no speed cameras. Which suggested I could get an essence of what the 296 GTB might do with no holds disallowed. All I needed to do was ensure the Manettino was pointing at Race, make certain I remained in Performance mode, and ensure I had a clear road ahead. Left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator, let the increase construct and away I went, yet once again. The engine yelled as the needle bounced off the redline at 8,500 rpm, and following it was an exceptional blow-off noise from the twin-turbos.3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is certainly the crown jewel.Sure, it didnt have the raw thrust of the rollercoaster, but since I was the one with controls, the sense of participation was immense. The area likewise had doglegs, and here, too, the exceptionally direct steering implied the 296 altered instructions just as viciously as the Formula Rossa. As I switched the gearbox to manual mode, pulling on the long paddle shifters was hugely satisfying.Stringent speed limits suggested a cap on 100kph. Setting 830hp through the rear wheels, on roadways that had a film of soft sand, had a thrill of its own, and although the back did kick out a bit, it was never ever unmanageable. The more I drove the 296, the better it got.The smile on my face was stretching further as I drove much deeper into the rev variety, and it was then that I understood the core difference between the two. The roller rollercoaster was an adrenaline rush that made me yell and shriek in a cacophony of worry, excitement and disbelief, whereas the 296 was a dopamine release that serenaded me into a hypnotic trance that was similarly luring, but a lot longer lasting.In my mind, I was no less than Charles Leclerc.Out of the 2 experiences, I would keep in mind brief circumstances of the Formula Rossa, as many were lost in the uncertainty of making it out untouched. I would strongly keep in mind for the rest of my life, each and every moment of how it felt to drive the 296 GTB at complete pitch, piercing through the sands of time.Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights booked.
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