The Ferrari F355 is a sports car produced from May 1994 until 1999, a heavily revised 348 with notable exterior and performance changes. It was succeeded by the all-new Ferrari 360 in 1999.
Ferrari F355 at a glance
| Production | May 1994 – 1999 |
|---|---|
| Type | F129 |
| Based on | Ferrari 348, heavily revised |
| Engine | 3,495 cc longitudinally mounted 90° V8 |
| Cylinder head | five valves per cylinder |
| Stroke | 77 mm, 2 mm longer than the 348’s engine |
| Power | 380 PS (279 kW; 375 hp) at 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 363 N·m at 6,000 rpm |
| Compression | 11:1 |
| Engine management | Bosch Motronic 2.7, M5.2 from 1996 |
| Bodies | Berlinetta, GTS, Spider |
| Berlinetta build | 3,829 manual, 1,042 with F1 transmission |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Ferrari F355
The F355 was a heavily revised 348 rather than a new design, with the emphasis on significantly improved performance and on drivability across a wider range of speeds and conditions, including low-speed city traffic. Apart from the increase in displacement from 3,405 to 3,495 cc, the major difference from the 348’s V8 was the introduction of a five-valve cylinder head, which allowed better intake permeability and produced a considerably more powerful engine: 380 PS at 8,250 rpm and 363 N·m at 6,000 rpm. The longitudinally mounted 90° V8 was stroked by 2 mm over the 348’s engine, from 75 to 77 mm, for the small increase in displacement.
Engineering
The engine internals used lightweight materials, with connecting rods forged in Ti6-Al-4V titanium alloy, and the compression ratio was 11:1. Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine management controlled fuel injection and ignition in the 1995 model year, replaced by the M5.2 from 1996 to the end of production.
Bodies and the F1 gearbox
The Berlinetta was introduced in May 1994 as the first of a successful series of F355 models, followed in 1995 by the Spider convertible and the GTS targa top. The Berlinetta was the first-ever road car to be equipped with an F1-style gearbox management system. Across the production run 3,829 Berlinettas were built with the six-speed manual and 1,042 with the F1 transmission. The Spider’s Pininfarina-penned lines were honed by 1,800 hours in the wind tunnel, producing a blend of elegant style and aerodynamic performance.
Place in the range
The F355 was the last of the line that began with the 308 and continued through the 328 and 348, and in 1999 it gave way to the all-new 360 with its aluminium chassis. The five-valve head and the optional F1 gearbox were the two ideas that defined it.
Design and features
- Five-valve head: better breathing and 380 PS from 3.5 litres, a big step over the 348.
- First F1 road gearbox: the F355 Berlinetta introduced F1-style gearbox management to a road car.
- Titanium con-rods: lightweight internals and an 11:1 compression ratio.
- Three bodies: Berlinetta coupé, GTS targa and Spider convertible.
- Wind-tunnel Spider: 1,800 hours of aerodynamic work shaped the open car.
Ferrari F355 versions
- F355 Berlinetta (1994–1999): the fixed-roof coupé.
- F355 GTS (1995–1999): targa top.
- F355 Spider (1995–1999): full convertible.
- Manual and F1: 3,829 Berlinettas with the manual gearbox and 1,042 with the F1 transmission.
The F355 replaced the Ferrari 348 and was succeeded by the Ferrari 360. More cars are in the Ferrari collection.
Video: Ferrari F355 GTS F1 Highspeed Trip sound and accelerating to 300 km/h 28.06.12 Part1 HD pure sound
Video by Hardopia on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari F355, English Wikipedia: engine, gearbox, bodies, production, aerodynamics
