The Ferrari F355 was the company's most successful model since the 308, meaning the successor would have 'big shoes' to fill. The successor would have to break new ground rather than offer incremental improvements, offering superlatives that would put its illustrious predecessor in the shade. To that end, Ferrari and its partner Pininfarina began with a clean sheet of paper in designing the 360 Modena. The new model was launched at the Geneva Show in March of 1999 and was an instant hit, with Ferrari order books quickly swelling, and within weeks there was a two-year waiting list.
The Ferrari 360 Modena was completely new with one of the only items carried over from the F355 was the V8 engine, enlarged from 3.5 to 3.6 liters or the 360. Equipped with four overhead camshafts and five valves per cylinder - an arrangement borrowed from Ferrari's F1 engine - it developed 400 horsepower at 8,500 RPM, with 275 lb-feet of torque available at 4,750 RPM. While the F355 used a transverse unit, the 360's six-speed gearbox was mounted longitudinally behind the similarly disposed engine. An optional (and improved) version of the F1-inspired paddle-operated gearchange, pioneered on the F355, was made available to customers.
The Ferrari 360 Modena introduced a new front treatment that replaced the prior omnipresent oval grille with two separate intakes set low in the front fenders. It had a larger footprint than the outgoing F355 with a new shape that increased downforce, generating four times as much as the F355, yet achieving the impressively low Cd of just 0.33.
The 360 Modena used an aluminum spaceframe/monocoque chassis replacing the prior steel frame, tubular steel sub frames and part steel, part aluminum body. Even though the 360 was larger, the extensive use of aluminum meant it was around 200 pounds lighter than the outgoing F355. With 20 horsepower more than its predecessor, zero-to-sixty mph and top speed improved, now rated at 4.5 seconds and 183 mph respectively. These improvements were marginal, however, the on-the-road dynamics were greatly improved, with its best time around Ferrari's Fiorano test track being some three seconds faster than the F355's.
State-of-the-art materials and technology were used in the design, development, and production of the 360 Modena, including computer-controlled variable damping that reconciles the differing requirements of ultimate road-holding and acceptable comfort. The electronic drive-by-wire throttle enabled the use of traction control and anti-lock braking system. Additionally, there were power-assisted steering and driver's airbag.
The exterior design was perfected with more than 5000 hours spent in Pininfarina's wind tunnel. The modern, stylish, and curvaceous body was attractive, aggressive, and elegant and afforded a more functional and comfortable interior helping it become the best selling Ferrari to date.
Production of the Ferrari 360 lasted from 1999 through 2004 with 8,800 examples built. A Spider version was introduced at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show and a total of 7,565 were built. The Challenge Stradale was a traced focused version of the 360 Modena fitted with features that improved its handling and braking and reduced its overall weight. The engine was tuned to offer an additional 20 horsepower giving it a zero-to-sixty mph time of 4.1 seconds. Total Challenge Stradale production reached 1,288 examples. A single 360 Barchetta, serial number 120020, was built as a wedding present by Gianni Agnelli for the then Fiat chairman and president of Ferrari, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. Additional, there were Race models built including the 360 Moden Challenge, 360 N-GT/Michelotto, 360 GT, and the 360 GTC.
by Dan Vaughan