Ferrari 296 GTB — Nice

The 296 GTB rewrites what a mid-engine Ferrari feels like from the driver's seat. Its plug-in hybrid V6 produces 830 hp — a figure that belongs to a previous generation's flagship, delivered here through a compact, precise chassis built for roads with character. This is exactly why it suits Nice as a base. The three corniches climbing east toward Monaco each demand something different from a car: tight elevation changes on the Grande Corniche above La Turbie, quick direction shifts through Èze on the Moyenne, and the close coastal geometry of the Basse Corniche threading Villefranche-sur-Mer. The 296 GTB's short wheelbase and instant hybrid torque make it genuinely rewarding on these roads rather than merely fast between them. Where a wider, heavier supercar asks you to manage its size through the narrower inland sections toward Vence or Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the 296 simply goes where you point it. Our 2023 example is a two-seat sport configuration — one variant in the fleet, maintained to factory specification. Daily rates begin at €1,700. Handover can be arranged at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport terminals, at specific hotel addresses along the Promenade des Anglais, or at a private residence. The car's dimensions park comfortably in the underground garages near Place Masséna or the Carré d'Or, which matters if you plan to spend time in the city between drives. For those considering a run east past Menton toward the Italian border, discuss cross-border insurance clearance with the concierge team before departure. Early mornings in the shoulder months — April or October — open the corniches with lighter traffic and cooler air temperatures that favour the hybrid powertrain's efficiency cycle. Peak season between May and September brings heavier demand and busier roads; booking well ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix period is practical advice rather than sales pressure. The 296 GTB occupies a specific position in the Ferrari range: more agile than the SF90, more involving than a Roma, and more technologically advanced than the F8 generation it effectively replaces. If your priority is the driving itself — not just the arrival — this is the car to reserve.