Ferrari 348

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Ferrari 348

Manufacturer:	Ferrari
Production:	1989–1995
Predecessor:	328 GTB/GTS
Successor:	Ferrari F355
Class:	mid-engined sports car
Body style:	Berlinetta Spider Targa
Engine:	3.4 L V8
Related:	Ferrari Mondial t

The Ferrari 348 is a mid-engined V8-powered 2-seat sports car. It replaced the Ferrari 328 in 1989.

The car, badged 348tb and 348ts for the coupe and targa versions respectively, featured a 3.4 litre version of the quad-cam, 4-valve per cylinder V8 engine which was found in the 308/328 series. The engine produced 300 hp (233 kW) and sits longitudinally with a transverse gearbox, like the Mondial t with which the 348 shares many components. This was a major shift for Ferrari, with all previous small Ferraris using a transverse mounted engine. Similar to the Testarossa but departing from the BB512 and 308/328, the radiators were relocated from the nose to the side, widening the waist 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 and difficult to enter and exit. Like its predecessors and descendants, the 348 is a fairly common Ferrari, with over 8,000 produced. The car's straked side air intakes give it a Testarossa look and because of this it is considered a kid brother to the Testarossa.

The car has been criticized for twitchy handling. When tested by Car and Driver magazine versus the Acura NSX, it was found to be very easy to spin out around some turns. Its "break away" characteristic was abrupt and difficult to catch once rear traction was lost. The Ferrari F355 attempted to address these problems, and was largely successful, but was also criticized as "evil handling" by some reviewers.

In 1993 the 348 was revised featuring subtle styling changes and more power, this time producing 312 bhp from the same 3.4 litre engine. The revised car was now called 348gtb and 348gts. The lower body was now body-colored instead of black and the rear track was one inch wider due to the addition of spacers.

1 Specifications
- 1.1 348 TB & TS
- 1.2 GTB/S & Spider
2 References

[edit] Specifications

[edit] 348 TB & TS

Engine: V8, 3405 cc
Power: 300 bhp @ 7200 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Chassis: Steel platform & tubes
Suspension: Independent all round
Brakes: Disk
Max. Speed: 275 km/h (171 mph)
Acceleration:
- 0-96 km/h (60 mph): 5.6 s
- 0-161 km/h (100 mph): 13 s

[edit] GTB/S & Spider

Engine: V8, 3405 cc
Power: 320 bhp @ 7200
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Chassis: Steel platform & tubes
Suspension: Independent all round
Brakes: Disk
Max. Speed: 275 km/h (171 mph)
Acceleration
- 0-96 km/h (60 mph): 5.3 s
- 0-161 km/h (100 mph): 13 s

[edit] References

Buckley, Martin & Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7.
The Ferrari Pages. Cars From Italy. Retrieved on November 17, 2004.
Ferrari Images and Info

<-earlier		Ferrari road car timeline, 1960-present ([edit])
Type		1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
FR	GT	America				330		365		Daytona																												550						575M				599
		250				275
	2+2	250GT				330GT			365GT				GTC/4		GT4			400			400i						412									456 GT						456M GT					612
RMR	V6/V8									206		246					308					308i		308qv			328					348					F355				360						F430
																						208
	2+2														GT4						Mondial 8					Mondial 3.2				Mondial T
	F12													365BB				512BB					BBi			Testarossa							512TR			F512M
supercars				250 GTO																						288 GTO			F40											F50		F50 GT		Enzo			FXX