Descending from the autostrada and ascending a gentle country road, the scenery gradually opened up. As expected from the main stage of the Mille Miglia, the route from Passo del Giogo to Passo della Collina offers a magnificent panorama of rolling mountain ranges stretching into the distance. Enjoying the spectacular view through the windshield, I navigated through corners of various radii, winding left and right. Here, the 296 GTS was truly in its element.

First, the V6 twin-turbo plus one-motor powertrain is superb. On the mountain roads, I selected 'Qualify' on the eManettino. Unlike the Hybrid mode just before, the engine became the absolute protagonist, with the motor playing a supporting role, unleashing maximum performance.

Exiting a corner and flooring the accelerator, the V6 twin-turbo delivers an intense G-force that feels like it stops your breath, revving instantly to the 8,500 rpm redline. The high-pitched sound, intensifying in sync with the rising revs, is also stimulating, exhilarating the driver to no end.

'From the early stages of development, we referred to this V6 engine by the nickname 'Piccolo (small) V12',' said Attilio Pietroni, the project leader for the V6 powertrain, during the briefing. Hearing the sound firsthand, I wholeheartedly agreed with his words.

Apparently, the wide 120-degree V-bank angle contributes to this. Pietroni added that this bank angle allows for equidistant firing of the six cylinders, enabling the realization of a high-frequency sound akin to a naturally aspirated V12 engine.

Ferrari's engineers developed a device to allow drivers to fully appreciate the 'canzone' produced by this V6 unit. Called the 'hot tube,' it consists of ducts and resonators, much like a doctor's stethoscope, and is tuned to deliver the best harmony to the cabin, whether the roof is open or closed.

'With the motor's assistance, we've achieved throttle response comparable to a naturally aspirated engine, despite it being a turbocharged engine,' said Andrea Giacomini, the vehicle dynamics engineer. Indeed, the motor likely plays a significant role in the sharp acceleration that feels directly connected to the movements of the right foot on the accelerator pedal.

What's particularly noteworthy is the feeling that the driver is truly controlling a powerful internal combustion engine with superb response. The supporting role of the electric motor in these situations is truly impressive.