Ferrari 348


The Ferrari 348 is a mid-engined, V8-powered, two-seat sports car produced by Italian automaker Ferrari, replacing the 328 in 1989 and remaining in production until 1995, when it was replaced by the F355. It was the final V8 model developed under the direction of Enzo Ferrari before his death, commissioned to production posthumously.

Variants

348 tb, ts

The 348, badged 348 tb for the coupé and 348 ts for the targa, featured a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre version of the quad-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder V8 engine. As with its predecessors, the model number was derived from this configuration, with the first two digits being the displacement of the engine and the third being the number of cylinders. The engine, which had a power output of, was mounted longitudinally and coupled to a transverse manual gearbox. This marked the first street Ferrari application of the transverse gearbox design, originally developed for the Ferrari 312T F1 car. The "t" in the model tb and ts designations refers to the transverse position of the gearbox, which Ferrari sought to highlight for the model range, celebrating this technical lineage. This was the also the first time Ferrari featured a mid-engined, longitudinal V8 in one of its standard road cars, after the 288 GTO. Overall, 2,894 examples of the 348 TB and 4,228 of the 348 TS were produced.
The 348's styling differed from previous models with straked side air intakes and rectangular taillights resembling the Testarossa, stylistic themes reminiscent of the F40, the world's fastest production car at the time, and other Ferrari models of the past. The model was also the final design overseen by chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti, known for such designs as the F40, Daytona, 512 Berlinetta Boxer, 288 GTO, P5, P6 and others. The F355 that succeeded the 348 returned to the styling cues of the 328 with round tail lights and rounded side air scoops.
The 348 was fitted with dual-computer engine management using twin Bosch Motronic ECUs, double-redundant anti-lock brakes, and self-diagnosing air conditioning and heating systems. In 1990, the Bosch Motronic engine management system was updated from the 2.5 to the 2.7 version. Later versions of the 348 have Japanese starter motors and Nippondenso power generators to improve reliability, as well as the battery located within the front left fender for better weight distribution.
All 348s have OBD-I engine management systems, though European and general market variants do not come with the self-test push button installed, which is needed to activate this troubleshooting feature.
Similar to the Testarossa but departing from the 512 BB and 308/328, the oil and coolant radiators were relocated from the nose to the sides, widening the side of the car substantially, but making the cabin much easier to cool since hoses routing warm water no longer ran underneath the cabin as in the older front-radiator cars. This also had the side effect of making the doors very wide.
The 348 was equipped with a dry sump oil system to prevent oil starvation at high speeds and during hard cornering. The oil level could only be accurately checked on the dipstick when the engine was running due to this setup. The 348 was fitted with adjustable ride-height suspension and a removable rear sub-frame to speed up the removal of the engine for maintenance.

348 Serie Speciale

Between 1992 and 1993, Ferrari made 100 limited edition units of the 348 Serie Speciale of its tb and ts versions. It was only made for the US market.
The main technical modifications consisted in a revised engine which produced at 7,200 rpm, a wider rear track, a free-flow exhaust system, a shorter ratio final drive and Pirelli P Zero tyres. Ferrari indicated a 0–97 km/h acceleration time of 5.3 seconds and a standing ¼ mile of 13.75 seconds.
Several modifications were made to the exterior as well: new front spoiler to optimize aerodynamics similar to the F40, new front grille with the chrome prancing horse, bumpers and rocker panels in body colour, engine cover in body colour, modified taillight assembly and new rear grille with the chrome prancing horse.
The cars were offered with F40 style sport seats in Connolly leather with the regular seats included as an option. The door panels were also modified and made of leather. Each car was numbered, with a 348 Serie Speciale plaque on the passenger's side door-post.

348 Challenge

The Ferrari Challenge was designated for the Ferrari 348; the series debuted in 1993 and included the Italian and European series. The engine used in the participating cars was similar to the road going GT models introduced in the same year with the only noticeable changes being the slick tyres, new body kit, better brake-pads, roll-bar, smaller battery in a different position and seat belts. In 1994 the G-spec engined cars had to be modified with the H-spec cylinder heads and injection system. The cars were mostly modified by dealers by installing factory supplied Challenge kits. The car's final season was in 1995 and was replaced subsequently by the F355 Challenge.

348 GTB, GTS, Spider

In late 1993, the 348 was revised, featuring subtle styling changes and more power, this time and from the same 3.4-litre engine, with an improved version of the Bosch Motronic 2.7 Engine Management System and a new exhaust system.
The revised cars are called 348 GTB and GTS and were presented to the public as the 348 GT versions, equipped with the F119H engine. The F119H engine had an increased 10.8:1 compression ratio as compared to the F119D & F119G's 10.4:1 compression ratio, taller intake plenums, a larger intake compensation valve, fuel pressure raised from 3.4 bar to 3.8 bar, and different camshaft timing.
For these models, both the engine cover and lower body skirts were body-coloured instead of black, and the rear track was one inch wider due to the mounting area, on the inside, of the rear wheels being thicker. The suspension geometry was revised which greatly enhanced its handling, ride and body control. The fuel tank was made smaller in order to reduce overall weight and provide space to improve chassis rigidity; it now held.
A convertible variant called the Spider was introduced in 1993 and was Ferrari's first series production convertible model since the Daytona Spider. Visual changes for the spider included body coloured lower cladding pieces, a specially designed engine cover and a manual folding soft top. The rear track was increased by compared to the 348 tb. The Spider used the same engine as the 348 GT models and hence benefitted from the increased power output. A new transverse mounted gearbox with modified gear ratios was installed to ensure better acceleration times and shift response.

348 GT Competizione

In 1993, Ferrari presented a light weight 348 GT Competizione variant as a homologation version for competing in the GT Championship. Safety equipment such as a tool kit was carried over from the 348 Challenge. The braking system was derived from the F40 Evoluzione model. The cars also had modified racing suspension and exhaust system. The engine had a power output of at 7,000 rpm and of torque at 5,000 rpm, consistent to standard late 348 production with the F119H engine. Only 50 were made, including 8 Right Hand Drive models. Special features included a specially trimmed steering wheel indicating the number sequence in the production of the 50 cars, 5-spoke 18-inch Speedline competizione wheels and cloth trim seats with kevlar structure for weight reduction. Aiding further in the weight reduction was the carbon kevlar composite material used for the front and rear bumpers as well as the doors and a light weight polycarbonate rear window. Additional interior trim pieces such as door sills featured carbon kevlar and creature comforts such as air conditioning and sound proofing materials were removed. These changes resulted in a dry weight of. The final drive in the gear box was changed to 25/27 ratio for improved performance.

Specifications

348 tb and ts

  • Engine: DOHC, 32 valve V8, 3405 cc / 207.77 cid
  • Bore/stroke: 85mm x 75mm
  • Compression ratio: 10.4:1
  • Dual 54mm throttle bodies
  • 30.5mm intake valves, 27.5mm exhaust valves
  • Intake cam:.362" lift with 227° of duration at 0.50" of lift
  • Exhaust cam:.324" lift with 219° of duration at 0.50" of lift
  • Firing order: 1-5-3-7-4-8-2-6
  • Power: at 7,200 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 238 lb/ft, 324 Nm at 4,200 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Chassis: Steel platform & sub-frame
  • Suspension: Independent all round
  • Brakes: 4-wheel disc ABS
  • Maximum speed: 267 km/h
  • Acceleration:
  • *0–97 km/h : 6.0 seconds
  • *0–161 km/h : 15.3 seconds
  • 1/4 mile : 14.5 seconds

    348 GTB, GTS and Spider

  • Engine: DOHC, 32 valve V8, 3405 cc
  • Bore/stroke: 85mm x 75mm
  • Compression ratio: 10.8:1
  • Power: at 7,200 rpm
  • Maximum torque: at 5,000 rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Chassis: Steel platform & sub-frame
  • Suspension: Independent all round
  • Brakes: 4-wheel disc ABS
  • Maximum speed: over 280 km/h
  • Acceleration
  • *0–100 km/h : 5.4 seconds
  • *0–161 km/h : 12.0 seconds
  • 1/4 mile : 13.6 seconds

    Custom made specials

Zagato Elaborazione

Between 1991 and 1992, Italian coach builder Zagato announced the Zagato Elaborazione package for the Ferrari 348 TB. The changes were all cosmetic and the engine and other mechanical components remained identical to the donor car.
At the front of the car a new bumper removed the original's fake central grille and also replaced the Ferrari prancing horse emblem. The side intake cooling ducts were enlarged with the strakes removed and the engine cover was replaced with a glass engine cover showing off the V8 engine. A new round triple tail-light arrangement and an electronically controlled rear spoiler were added. A double bubble roof replaced the original, the idea being that Zagato could lower the roofline of a car, but retain enough headroom for each occupant. Other modifications included custom OZ Racing alloy wheels, external fuel filler caps and a completely reworked interior including a three-inch rear view screen and suede upholstery. Zagato initially announced a production run of 22 examples, but only 10 cars were made.