Inside The Ferrari 296 GTS: The 819 HP Supercar Involved in Vince Zampella’s Fatal Accident

Video game developer Vince Zampella, the visionary behind the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and co-founder of Respawn Entertainment, tragically lost his life in a high-speed crash involving his Ferrari 296 GTS on Southern California's Angeles Crest Highway on December 23, 2025. The mid-engine supercar, a 2026 model with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, veered off the road while exiting a tunnel, struck a concrete barrier, and burst into flames shortly after impact. A passenger was reportedly ejected, and witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with the vehicle engulfed in fire within moments.

The Ferrari 296 GTS is widely regarded as one of the most extreme and driver-focused supercars in Ferrari's modern lineup. It features a revolutionary plug-in hybrid system that combines a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (the first V6 in a Ferrari road car since the Dino era) with an electric motor integrated into the rear transaxle. This setup delivers a staggering 819 horsepower (610 hp from the combustion engine and 209 hp from the electric motor) and 740 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 330 km/h. The hybrid architecture not only boosts performance but also allows for short bursts of electric-only driving.

What makes the 296 GTS particularly extreme is its razor-sharp handling and track-ready dynamics. Ferrari engineered the car with a mid-engine layout for optimal weight distribution, a carbon-fiber tub chassis for rigidity, and an advanced aerodynamic package that generates significant downforce without relying heavily on active elements. The vehicle features a sophisticated electronic differential, adaptive dampers, and a rear-wheel steering system that enhances agility at low speeds and stability at high speeds. These characteristics make the 296 GTS exceptionally rewarding for skilled drivers but unforgiving for those pushing its limits on public roads.

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The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, with no official determination yet on factors such as speed, road conditions, or mechanical issues. The Angeles Crest Highway, a scenic but notoriously challenging mountain road with tight turns and elevation changes, has been the site of several high-profile accidents involving supercars in the past. The rapid onset of fire after impact has raised questions about the safety implications of high-voltage hybrid battery systems in severe collisions, though no conclusions have been drawn at this stage.

The loss of Vince Zampella, a towering figure in the gaming industry who helped redefine first-person shooters through Call of Duty and later created the critically acclaimed Titanfall and Apex Legends series, has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. His Ferrari 296 GTS, a car that embodies the pinnacle of modern supercar engineering, was involved in an incident that tragically cut short the life of one of gaming's most influential creators. Authorities continue to investigate, while tributes pour in from across the industry.

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