1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1
1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1
1999 Ferrari F355 F1 1999 Ferrari F355 F1
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The design of the Ferrari 348 was modified by the famous Italian design studio, Pininfarina resulting in the Ferrari F355. The Ferrari F355 was produced from 1995 through the close of the century with nearly 2700 examples created; making it one of the most popular Ferraris's of all time. When introduced it was available in fixed-head Berlinetta and was later followed by a Targa and Spyder variant.

The F355 was a 348 with design modifications and engine enhancements that included five valves per cylinder. With an improved DOHC engine the F355 produced 80 more horsepower than its predecessor. The 380 horsepower engine drove the nearly 3000 pound vehicle from zero-to-sixty in just 4.6 seconds. Top speed was accomplished at just over 180 mph. In 1988, the vehicle became similar to F1 styled vehicles with the introduction of paddle shifters located on the steering wheel that allowed the driver to easily shift from gear to gear. Performance was further upgraded from its 348 counterpart with an improved suspension and chassis. The suspension was adjustable by the driver to accommodate all types of driving conditions. Ventilated Brembo disc brakes provided excellent stopping power. The body was created from steel and aluminum which added rigidity while remaining light-weight.
The final F355 produced by Ferrari was a truly special car; it topped a line which will forever be installed within the pantheon of great cars.

The F355 Serie Fiorano's production was limited to a run of 100 cars, all of which are spiders, and only had a six-speed gearbox.

The Fiorano is easily identified by its lower stance, the result of a revised suspension based on that of the Competizione racing variant. Further racing influences on this special model are the colored brake calipers, racing pads, and cross-drilled rotors which compliment the drilled aluminum pedals found within the car.

This F355 has the feel of a race car due to reprogrammed electronically-controlled shock absorbers, larger anti-roll bars, stiffer springs, and quicker steering ratio.

Serie Fiorano is distinguished by interior Carbon Fiber accoutrements, suede-covered steering wheel and a silver plaque inscribed with the car's production number on the dashboard. To distinguish it's limited production the Fiorano's exterior is adorned with a black Challenge rear grill and factory-mandated enamel Scuderia Ferrari shields.
For the F355, Ferrari developed a new 3.5 liter 90° V8 engine developing 375bhp at 8250 rpm with a redline of 8500 rpm. Maximum torque was 268 lbs-ft at 6000 rpm. The specific output of this remarkable 5-valve unit was 109bhp per liter.

The engine's aluminum block had Nikasil-coated wet steel liners. Peculiarly light forged aluminum alloy pistons drove the crankshaft through titanium alloy con rods previously seen only in Formula 1 engines. The engine's greatest innovation is its five-valves per cylinder, three intake and two exhaust, that combined high revs with high intake

permeability maximizing gross efficiency. The aluminum head was ultra-high strength with variable rigidity dual valve springs. The radial intake valves made conical cam profiles necessary and the high rotation speed necessitated a high lift for both reliability and long-term performance. The control lobe for the central intake valve was slightly offset, reducing pulse stress and the emission of un-burned hydrocarbons. The valves were actuated by hydraulic tappets with automatic play take-up, a first for engines that rev over 8000rpm. In accordance with racing design, Ferrari engineers created an extremely compact high-swirl combustion chamber of 11:1 compression ratio. The engine was controlled by a Bosch Motronic M2.7 twin hot wire electronic injection-static ignition system, and lubricated by a dry sump engine oil circuit.

The exhaust system was insulated stainless steel and featured twin-branch delivery to the catalysts: one main branch to a ceramic matrix catalyst and one by-pass branch to steel matrix catalysts. The by-pass branch only comes into play at high speeds in response to the opening of a throttle valve controlled by the Motronic system. This optimizes engine performance by reducing exhaust back-pressure.

The F355's drivetrain featured a 6-speed transverse gearbox or an optional F1 electro-hydraulic transmission system with paddle shifters, derived directly from current Formula 1 technology. The manual, all-synchronized system offered short travel through the classic Ferrari gated shifter actuating rigid rods for a positive feel. The ratios were designed to make the most of the torque curve, thereby enhancing the driveability and sporty performance of the car. The differential was a multi-plate limited slip type with segmented lock that adopts a differentiated drive and over run. The single dry plate clutch was hydraulically actuated, its housing being magnesium alloy. A water/oil heat exchanger ensured the gearbox oil was rapidly brought to optimal operating temperature.

Ferrari's 6-speed F1 electro-hydraulic transmission, debuted on the F355, signaled a new era in drivetrain design and performance. The driver shifts a sequential system controlled with paddles behind the steering wheel, exactly as on a Formula 1 car. There is no clutch pedal. The system has four driver-selectable modes of operation: sport, normal, auto, and low grip. The Ferrari 'Fl-type power train management' is the best solution for racing and road use. The system guarantees almost instantaneous gear changes, allowing the driver's desired gear to be engaged without either taking the hands off the wheel or operating the clutch, even during hard cornering. For safety, it is impossible to avoid engaging intermediate gears during rapid downshifts. The system can be used in a fully automatic mode without impacting fuel consumption, and the software that controls the system is integrated with other systems in the car to increase control in varied conditions.

Source - Ferrari

Photos grouped by event

Concorso Italiano

2006 Le Belle Macchine d'Italia

2006 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic XV Concours

2005 Potts Auction at Hilton Head

1999 Ferrari F355 F1

Year1999
MakeFerrari
ModelF355 F1
Body StyleSpyder
Engine LocationMid
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series1995 - 1999
Price$138,115.00
Weight2976 lbs | 1349.9 kg
Chassis Range98363 - 115902

Performance
0-60 mph4.7 seconds.
1/4 Mile12.9 seconds.
Top Speed183 mph | 294.4 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationV
Cylinders8
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement3496.00 cc | 213.3 cu in. | 3.5 L.
Valves40 valves.
5 valves per cylinder.
ValvetrainDOHC
Horsepower380.00 BHP (279.7 KW) @ 8250.00 RPM
Torque268.00 Ft-Lbs (363.4 NM) @ 6000.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio7.8 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter108.6 BHP / Liter
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
Gears6
TransmissionManual

Optional Transmission
Gears5
TransmissionManual
In rear transaxle


 
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Articles and Event Coverage
Concorso Italiano
2006 Le Belle Macchine d'Italia
2006 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic XV Concours
2005 Potts Auction at Hilton Head

Additional Resources and Links
Potts Auction at Hilton Head Official Website
Palm Beach Cavallino Classic Concours Official Website
Le Belle Macchine d'Italia Official Website
Concorso Italiano Official Website

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Replies: 9
Monday, January 01, 2001

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