348 GTB

Modified from the 348 TB, the 348 GTB was a two-seater berlinetta with dynamic performance characteristics worthy of the marque’s highest traditions. Its sports orientation was best expressed on the track, as proven by the 348 Challenge, which saw this car race on circuits in Europe and the US. Its styling was harmonious and aerodynamically efficient, and the mid-mounted V8 engine ensured perfect weight distribution and class-beating power.

This was a two-seater berlinetta with all of the characteristics drivers had come to expect from Maranello. Although extremely versatile to drive, the 348 GTB really only came into its own on the track thanks to its extreme sportiness, a fact demonstrated amply in the 348 Challenge in Europe and the USA. It was styled by Pininfarina.

The 348 GTB had superbly balanced, efficient lines that took a strong lead from the classic Ferrari styling cues, and sported a steel and aluminium body. It was a particularly beautiful car too, thanks to intensive work carried out in the wind tunnel to refine its aerodynamic shape. Its interior volumes and driver position were designed for maximum comfort given its sporty set-up, while the seats and trim were a plush Connolly leather.

The 348 GTB had a steel monocoque with differentiated tubular elements and a tubular rear sub-frame for the engine-suspension assembly. The suspension was independent unequal-length wishbones front and rear. It had coil springs over gas-filled telescopic dampers, and stabiliser bars. The steering was rack and pinion. The car also had self-venting disc brakes with ATE antiskid.

The mid-rear 3405 cc 90° V8 engine was mounted longitudinally and punched out 320 hp. It had twin overhead cams with four valves per cylinder and a Bosch M 2.7 control unit. The 348 GTB also had dry sump lubrication, a five-speed plus reverse transverse gearbox in unit with the self-locking differential, and a single-plate dry clutch.

348 GTS

This two-seater convertible offered the same specifications as the 348 GTB, with the choice of open or closed-top motoring and a layout that had by now become a Ferrari classic: as on the outgoing TS, the hard top was stowed away in the space behind the seats.

The GTS retained the stiff, stress-bearing chassis (featuring various section tubular front and rear sub-frames) of the coupé version while the styling, which remained unmistakably Ferrari, married elegance with excellent aerodynamics.

Virtually identical to the 348 GTB in terms of its engineering, the 348 GTS was a two-seater convertible in the classic Ferrari mode of the time and was also styled by Pininfarina.

The 348 GTS had a steel and aluminium body and its removable top was stowed in a compartment behind the seats. Its aerodynamics had been refined for use at high speeds and had been honed with particular care to avoid the usual discomforts of an open-top car.

Its interior volumes and driver position were designed for maximum comfort given its sporty set-up. The seats and interior trim were a plush Connolly leather.

348 Spider

The car was offered the same impressive performance as the berlinetta, with a remarkably flex-free chassis, as well as the possibility of true top-down motoring.

Ferrari spiders have always epitomised the marque sporting heritage. It was that heritage that inspired the designers when they set about clothing this superb chassis and running gear. The Pininfarina-designed 348 Spider was the latest in this long and glorious line when it debuted in 1993.

The two-seater 348 Spider had a steel and aluminium body. The soft-top was canvas and beautifully integrated into the car’s line, thanks to in-depth wind tunnel testing. It folded, in fact, into a compartment behind the seats using a system that didn’t impinge on either on longitudinal occupant comfort or fuel tank capacity.

Specifications and Features

1993 Ferrari 348 GTB/GTS/Spider

Engine

Type……………………………rear, longitudinal 90° V8
Bore/stroke…………………85 x 75 mm
Unitary displacement……425.59 cc
Total displacement……….3404.70 cc
Compression ratio…………10.8 : 1
Maximum power……………235 kW (320 hp) at 7200 rpm
Power per litre……………….94 hp/l
Maximum torque……………324 Nm (33 kgm) at 5000 rpm
Valve actuation……………….twin overhead camshafts per bank, four valves per cylinder
Fuel feed………………………..Bosch Motronic M2.7 electronic injection
Ignition………………………….Bosch Motronic M2.7 static electronic, single spark plug per cylinder
Lubrication…………………….dry sump
Clutch……………………………single-plate

Chassis

Frame…………………………..steel monocoque with tubular steel rear sub-frame
Front suspension…………..independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension…………….independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Brakes………………………….discs
Transmission………………..5-speed + reverse
Steering………………………..rack-and-pinion
Fuel tank……………………….capacity 88 litres
Front tyres…………………….215/50 ZR 17
Rear tyres……………………..255/45 ZR 17

Bodywork

Type…………………………….two-seater berlinetta, two-seater targa-top or two-seater spider
Length………………………….4230 mm
Width…………………………..1894 mm
Height………………………….1170 mm
Wheelbase…………………….2450 mm
Front track…………………….1502 mm
Rear track……………………..1578 mm
Weight………………………….1370 kg (dry)

Performance

Top speed……………………..over 280 km/h
Acceleration
0-100 km/h…………………….5.4 sec
0-400 m………………………..13.5 sec
0-1000 m………………………24.4 sec

348 GT Competizione

The 348 GT Competizione was a model designed specifically for the GT Championship on the 348 GTB platform. The car was radically lightened by eliminating all and any comfort-oriented features, including air-conditioning and mats. Its dry weight was 1180 kg complete with all of the safety equipment sported by the 348 Challenge version.

The transmission had a short 25/27 gear ratio and a racing clutch with reinforced discs. The brakes were derived from the F 40 Evoluzione with no ABS, but larger discs and calipers.

Even the suspension was modified for racing with rigid rose joints, competition-ready dampers and springs. The standard car’s 17″ wheels were replaced by 18″ ones with 239/635/18 tyres to the front and 265/645/18 to the rear. There was no great difference, however, in the engine, aside from the free flow exhaust.