Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Ferrari 360 Modena Buyer’s Guide
Short Description
The 360 Modena was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999 as a replacement of the highly acclaimed F355. To meet this challenge, Ferrari opted for revolution over evolution. The 360 Modena was the ?rst Ferrari road car to sport both an aluminum body and aluminum space frame. The result of this almost total use of aluminum is a 28% reduction in weight vs the F355 while providing over 40% increase in structural sti?ness. To achieve this engineering feat, Ferrari set up a partnership with Alcoa Aluminum to develop the new technology and processes.
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Content
The 360 Modena also marks a significant shift in styling from the F355 towards a single minded focus on aerodynamics. The smooth flowing lines of the 360 hide the fact that it is a significantly larger car than the F355. It is the first Ferrari to drop the classic nose mounted radiator grill, with the twin radiators now mounted in the wheel arches. The radical redesign allows for the inclusion of a large luggage space in the front while delivering a unique visual impression. The focus on aerodynamics delivers high speed downforce more than four times greater than generated by the F355, giving the 360 both great control and maneuverability. While the radical redesign did improve the car’s performance, it did result in what was termed a un-Ferrari-like flamboyant design. Many journalist criticized Pininfarina when the car debuted and a number of people still feel the same today.
