The Ferrari 348 is a mid-engined, V8-powered two-seater built from 1989 until mid-1994, when the F355 replaced it. It was the final V8 model developed under Enzo Ferrari’s direction, commissioned to production after his death.
Ferrari 348 at a glance
| Production | 1989 – mid-1994 |
|---|---|
| Type | F119 |
| Layout | mid-engined, longitudinal V8 |
| Engine | 3.4-litre quad-cam, four-valve V8 |
| Power | 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) |
| Gearbox | manual, mounted transversely |
| 348 tb built | 2,894 |
| 348 ts built | 4,228 |
| Styling | Leonardo Fioravanti, final design overseen by him |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 328 |
| Successor | Ferrari F355 |
based on one source (English Wikipedia); no free photographs of this model were found, so the previous cover is kept.
History of the Ferrari 348
The 348 replaced the 328 in 1989 and stayed in production until mid-1994. Its naturally aspirated 3.4-litre quad-cam V8 had four valves per cylinder and produced 300 PS. As with earlier Ferrari V8s the model number described the engine — displacement in the first two digits, cylinder count in the third — but the layout was new: the engine was mounted longitudinally and coupled to a transverse manual gearbox, the first road-car use of a design developed for the 312T Formula One car. The “t” in the 348 tb and ts names highlighted that transverse gearbox, and the car was also the first standard Ferrari road car with a mid-mounted longitudinal V8 after the 288 GTO. Ferrari built 2,894 of the coupé, badged 348 tb (Trasversale Berlinetta), and 4,228 of the targa, the 348 ts (Trasversale Spider).
Styling
The 348 broke with the rounded shapes of the 328. It had straked side air intakes and rectangular tail lights resembling the Testarossa’s, with themes recalling the F40 and other Ferraris of the period. It was the last design overseen by chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti, whose credits include the F40, Daytona, 512 Berlinetta Boxer, 288 GTO and P5 and P6. Its successor, the F355, returned to the 328’s cues with round tail lights and rounded side scoops.
Engineering details
The car used dual-computer engine management with twin Bosch Motronic ECUs, double-redundant anti-lock brakes and self-diagnosing air conditioning and heating. In 1990 the Motronic system was updated from version 2.5 to 2.7. Cars built from 1993 used Japanese starter motors and Nippondenso generators for reliability, and moved the battery into the front left wing for better weight distribution. All 348s had OBD-I management, though European and general-market cars were not fitted with the self-test button needed to use it. Like the Testarossa, and unlike the 512 BB and 308/328, the oil and coolant radiators moved from the nose to the sides; that widened the car noticeably but made the cabin much easier to cool, and had the side effect of very wide doors. A dry-sump system prevented oil starvation at high speed and in hard cornering, which meant the dipstick could only be read with the engine running. The 348 also had adjustable ride height and a removable rear sub-frame to speed up engine removal.
Later versions
Towards the end of its life the 348 GTB and GTS were presented as the 348 GT versions, using the F119H engine in place of the original F119D and the federalised F119G. The model was replaced by the F355 in 1994.
Design and features
- Transverse gearbox: a layout taken from the 312T Formula One car and used in a road Ferrari for the first time.
- Testarossa-inspired styling: straked side intakes and rectangular tail lights, the last design overseen by Fioravanti.
- Side-mounted radiators: better cabin cooling at the cost of very wide doors.
- Dry sump: protection against oil starvation in fast corners, checked with the engine running.
- Service-friendly details: adjustable ride height and a removable rear sub-frame.
Ferrari 348 versions
- 348 tb (1989–1994): the fixed-roof coupé, 2,894 built.
- 348 ts (1989–1994): the targa version, 4,228 built.
- 348 GTB and GTS: late cars with the F119H engine.
The 348 replaced the Ferrari 328 and was succeeded by the Ferrari F355. Its styling drew on the Testarossa.
Video: Fire up my Ferrari 348 after the winter. This sound is the art of music
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari 348, English Wikipedia: engines, gearbox, production numbers, engineering details
