Quick Spin: Ferrari 296 GTB, McLaren Artura, and Aston Martin DBX 707 in Just 5 Minutes

Ferrari 296 GTB: An Icon in the Making

The joyous thrill of getting behind the wheel of a new Ferrari can’t be overstated. My last extended romance with a Ferrari was the 488, an experience that combined everyday driving with spirited runs on my favorite roads. Today, I find myself with the Ferrari 296 GTB at Goodwood, albeit for a mere two laps past the pits. Even in this brief encounter, it’s clear why the 296 GTB is being hailed as one of Ferrari’s masterpieces. At Goodwood, a place teeming with car enthusiasts, some were already crunching numbers, wondering if they could afford this automotive marvel.

First Impressions of the Ferrari 296 GTB

The conditions were less than ideal: a damp Goodwood and an unfamiliar car. The Ferrari 296 GTB, armed with a formidable 819 horsepower from its 2992cc, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine, plus an electric motor offering an additional 165 horsepower, was to be my steed. The cabin of the 296 GTB is a blend of vintage Ferrari aesthetics and modern minimalism. Everything goes blank when the car is off, but a push of the start button and a flick to ‘Sport’ mode brings it roaring to life.

On my first tentative lap, the car felt astonishingly light. As I negotiated Madgwick and accelerated on the straight, I got the first taste of its blistering speed. The Ferrari’s agility in the corners and stellar braking performance far outstripped my cautious handling given the greasy track. Among its peers, the only car that comes close is the McLaren 765LT, but the Ferrari 296 GTB operates in a league of its own. It left me yearning for a full-fledged track day at Silverstone to delve deeper into its endless capabilities.

McLaren Artura: The Road-Trip Companion

Originally scheduled for an earlier launch, the McLaren Artura’s debut was delayed to perfect its design. Unlike the Ferrari 296 GTB, the Artura seems primed for thrilling drives on iconic roads rather than the racetrack. Powered by a 3-litre twin-turbo engine complemented by an electric motor, the Artura produces a combined 671 horsepower. On the track, it’s undeniably fast, but the real joy seems to lie in taking it through winding mountain roads or across sweeping European landscapes.

Aston Martin DBX707: Surprisingly Sporty SUV

The Aston Martin DBX707 has rapidly become the brand’s best-seller, filling order books to the brim. Although its off-road abilities in the Scottish Highlands impressed me earlier, driving a DBX707 on a track appeared absurd—until I actually did it. My three laps at Goodwood were surreal. Far from feeling like a cumbersome SUV, the DBX707 handled like a nimble sports car, flaunting its agility and responsiveness. Braking was sharp without the expected nose dive, and cornering was light and precise. The DBX707 defied expectations, making it the standout surprise of the day.

The Ferraris, McLarens, and Aston Martins each present their unique charms and capabilities, from track domination to road-trip fantasies to surprising performance in an SUV. The Ferrari 296 GTB showcases Ferrari’s engineering prowess, while the McLaren Artura invites you to explore your favorite routes. Meanwhile, the Aston Martin DBX707 redefines what an SUV can do on a race track. Each car, unique in its right, leaves an indelible mark, promising experiences that blend speed, luxury, and unparalleled performance.

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