Monday, December 22, 2008

Ferrari 360

Even after five years, the Ferrari 360 is still considered the best sports car available by many enthusiasts.Because of its better handling and support.This car takes you where you want to be so check it out nowhere else from this blog.
The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine 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 300 kW (400 bhp) of power, but the lighter frame and added stiffness improved performance; the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration performance improved from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds, and in the Challenge versions it was as low as 4.0 s. An engine replacement resulted in the current V8 road model, the F430 (internally referred to as the evoluzione or evo) which came out in 2004.

Specifications
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: 300 kW (400 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
Maximum torque: 373 N·m (275 lbf·ft) @ 4750 rpm

Modena
Interior of the Modena with the Rossa Corsa paint and tan leather. This example is equipped with the F1 gearbox, controlled by the "paddles" on the steering column

Profile of Ferrari 360 Modena.
Performance
0-62 mph: 4.5 s
Top speed : 300 km/h (186 mph)
downforce: 180 kgf (1.77 kN) @ 300 km/h (without rear wing)
lift/drag: -0.73:1
EPA Fuel Economy: 10 mpg U.S. city/16 mpg U.S. highway (24 L/100 km and 14 L/100 km)


Spider
The 360 Spider is Ferrari's twentieth roadgoing convertible. The model was regarded a classic even when launched in 2000. Designer Pininfarinas lines are by many regarded as timelessly beautiful and yet sportingly aggressive.

The engineers worked hard from the start of the 360 project to lay the foundation for a Spider with exceptional torsional and flexional rigidity. They had to strengthen the sills, stiffen the front of the floorpan and redesign the windscreen frame. The rear bulkhead had to be stiffened to cut out engine noise from the cabin. The convertible's necessary dynamic rigidity is provided by additional side reinforcements and a cross brace in front of the engine. Passenger safety is ensured by a strengthened windscreen frame and roll bars.

The 360 Spider displays a curvilinear waistline. The fairings imply the start of a roof, and stable roll bars are embedded in these elevations. Due to use of light aluminium constructions throughout, the Spider weighs in with only 60 kg (130 lbs) more than the coupé.

With its hood up, the Ferrari 360 Spider looks extremely aggressive. Lowering the hood totally transforms the look. Seen from the side, the 360 Spider resembles a sports racer, a sensation underlined by the length of the rear engine bay, the twin roll bars, the rear fairings and the steep windscreen.

As with the Modena version, its 3.6 litre V8 with 400 bhp is on display under a glass hood. The engine - confined in space by the convertible's top's storage area - acquires additional air supply through especially large side grills. The intake manifolds, with the classical Ferrari covers, cuddle up to each other between the air supply conduits in the Spider engine compartment, as opposed to lying apart as with the Mondena.

Despite the car's mid-mounted V8 engine Ferrari's engineers found a way of creating a hood that automatically folds away inside the engine bay, thus ensuring purity of line. The top canopy of crease free material comes in black, blue, grey and beige. The striptease from a closed top to an open-air convertible is a two-stage folding-action that has been dubbed "a stunning 20 second mechanical symphony". After a short to and fro, the entire top disappears into a closed storage area between the seating and the engine.

The interior of the Spider is identical to the coupé.

Dimensions
Overall: length 4477 mm (176.3 in)
Overall: width 1922 mm (75.7 in)
Height: 1235 mm (48.6 in)
Wheelbase: 2600 mm (102.3 in)
Front track: 1669 mm (65.7 in)
Rear track: 1617 mm (63.6 in)
Weight: 1350 kg (2976 lb)
Curb weight: 1450 kg (3197 lb)
Weight distribution: 42/58% front/rear
Fuel capacity: 95 L (25.1 US gal)

Performance
0–100 km/h (62 mph): 4.1 s
Top Speed : 300 km/h (186 mph)
downforce: about 270 kgf (2.6 kN) @ 300 km/h (without rear wing)
lift/drag: about -1.1:1

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