Ferrari 360

The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430. For the 360, Ferrari partnered with Alcoa to produce an entirely new all-aluminum space-frame chassis that was 40% stiffer than the 355, yet 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions. Along with the new frame was a new Pininfarina body styling that broke ranks with the last decade's sharp angles and flip-up headlights, replacing them with a rounded appearance that harkened to the 1960s. The new V8 engine, common to all versions, was only slightly larger and more powerful than the 355's at 3.6 litres and 400 bhp (300 kW) of power, but the lighter frame and added stiffness improved performance; the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration performance improved from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds, and in the Challenge versions it was as low as 4.0 s.



Road Model
The first model of the 360 to ship was the 360 Modena, named after the town of Modena, the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari. Its six-speed gearbox is available as a manual, or F1 electrohydraulic manual. The car went into production in 1999 and remained in production until 2005 when it was replaced by the F430. The Modena was followed by the 360 Spider, Ferrari's 20th road-going convertible. Other than weight, the Spider's specifications match those of the Modena almost exactly.
The 360 Challenge Stradale (or 360 CS) was a later addition to the road line. It was essentially a lightened version of the Modena, dropping 110 kilograms. Changes included larger 19" BBS wheels, the use of carbon fiber for the frames of the seats and mirrors, titanium springs which were also 20% stiffer, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite brake disks. A variety of option allowed for further weight reductions, including replacing the leather interior with fabric, removal of the power windows and mirrors, and leaving off the stereo. Lexan side windows were available in Europe only. It was officially introduced in March 2003 at the Geneva International Motor Show and went into production shortly thereafter. The 360 CS can be compared to Porsche's GT3 RS model in design approach and many magazines have placed them head to head in road tests. Jeremy Clarkson compared the two and chose the 360 CS to be his favourite.

Engine

All models featured the same layout:

• No. of cylinders: 90° V8 F131
• Bore & stroke: 85 by 79 mm (3.34 by 3.11 in)
• Total displacement: 3586 cm³ (218.8 in³)
• Redline: 8500 rpm

For Modena and Spider:

• Maximum power: 405 PS (300 kW; 400 bhp) @ 8500 rpm^[1]
• Maximum torque: 373 N·m (275 lb·ft) @ 4750 rpm^[1]

For Challenge Stradale:

• Maximum power: 425 PS (317 kW; 420 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
• Maximum torque: 373 N·m (275 lb·ft) @ 4750 rpm

Performance

 

• Top speed : 183 mph (295 km/h)^[1]
• downforce: 180 kgf (1.77 kN) @ 300 km/h (without rear wing)
• lift/drag: -0.73:1

^[2] PERFORMANCE
Acceleration, seconds
0-30 mph (48 km/h) 1.3
0-40 mph (64 km/h) mph 1.9
0-50 mph (80 km/h) 3.0
0-60 mph (97 km/h) 3.9
0-70 mph (110 km/h) 5.2
0-80 mph (130 km/h) 6.5
0-90 mph (140 km/h) 7.8
0-100 mph (160 km/h) 9.7 Standing quarter mile, sec/mph 12.2/113.5 mph (182.7 km/h)
Braking, 60 mph (97 km/h)-0 mph, 117 ft (36 m)
Lateral acceleration, g .0.90
Speed through 600 ft (180 m) slalom, 69.0 mph (111.0 km/h)
EPA fuel economy, mpg, city/hwy. 11 mpg_-US (21 L/100 km; 13 mpg_-imp)/16 mpg_-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg_-imp)