1999
360 MODENA
The 360 Modena is a clean-sheet design which anticipates trends for future Ferrari road cars. These include lower weight combined with greater chassis rigidity – seemingly objectives that have been achieved by employing innovative construction technology.
The 360 Modena is the first production Ferrari to be constructed entirely in aluminium. Chassis, bodyshell and suspension wishbones are all made from this light-weight material, allowing the engineers to provide the best overall performance and handling ever achieved in a mid-engined Ferrari, along with levels of comfort unheard of before.
The 360 Modena, was announced at the 1999 Geneva Salon, to replace the beloved F355 range that had enjoyed a five year production run with no cosmetic changes during its lifespan. After the charismatic beauty of the F355 classicism, as gone was the central egg crate “radiator” grille.
This had been a Ferrari feature from what seemed like time immemorial, even if it had only been a dummy on some models like the Testarossa, 348 and the F355.
Aerodynamic considerations played a major part in the design of the 360 Modena, thus the front featured twin radiator inlet grilles, one either side, allowing airflow to pass under the raised centre section to feed via the flat bottom to the car’s speed rises. The design featured some retro details, like the engine compartment intakes in the rear wings that hinted of 250 LM and the Dino, plus the traditional paired rear light treatment, but overall it was high technology car for the new millennium, bristling with innovation details.
The 360 Modena was the first Ferrari road car to feature a full aluminium monocoque chassis, which was developed in conjunction with Alcoa. The chassis was constructed from varying section aluminium nodes.
This construction provided 40% greater rigidity and a 28% weight saving compared to the F355 model which it replaced, despite being dimensionally 10% larger overall. The chassis had factory type reference F 131 AB M, for the manual gearbox car, and F 131 AB E for the version with the F1 gearshift assembly.
In simplistic terms, the design brief for the new car was basically to do everything that the F355 did already, but to do it better, with less weight, more interior space, greater comfort and superior performance.
All these objectives were achieved, primarily through the almost exclusive use of aluminium and alloys in its construction. As already mentioned, the complete monocoque chassis unit was aluminium, as was the bodywork, with various aluminium alloys being used for the engine castings, transmission casings and the suspension components.
The lightweight aluminium alloy body panels are riveted to the chassis frame. The quality of the aluminium castings from the Ferrari foundry is legendary, and to enjoy these one only has to peer through the rear screen of a 360 Modena. Here the engine is open to view, and one can admire the red crackle paint finished intake plenums with the Ferrari script in relief, bridged by a plain alloy casting carrying the “Cavallino Rampante”.
THE BODY
The chassis had a 2600mm wheelbase, which was 100mm greater than the concurrent front engine V12 550 Maranello model, and 150mm more than the succeeded F355, with a front track of 1679mm and rear track of of 1617, both of which figures are also greater than the models already mentioned. All were numbered in the continuous chassis number road car sequence, in the range from 104376 to 136686. The model was available in right or left hand drive form, with power assisted steering as standard. The standard road wheels were stylised versions of the traditional five star alloy design, featuring slim ridged convex spokes and five bolt fixing with 18″ diameter rims, 7.5″ wide at the front and 10″ wide at the rear. Independent suspension was provided all round with front and rear anti roll bars, the one at the rear running within the chassis frame. The suspension and braking systems were fitted with a Bosch 5.3 ABS/ASR system very similar in concept to that used on the concurrent 550 Maranello. This provided either “normal” or “sport” mode, or could be switched off completely, dependent upon the driver’s wishes.
When in “normal” mode the “brain” placed an emphasis on stability relative to road conditions, reducing power to the driven wheels via the engine management system, or bringing the ABS braking system into play, to maximise traction. When in “sport” mode the “brain” provided wider parameters before the system came into effect, placing greater emphasis on the driver’s input. The continuosly adjusting dampers were manufactured in aluminium by Sachs, to provide CDC (Continuous Damper Control) via an electronic “brain” that monitored various factions, like steering angle, road speed, braking effect pr acceleration, to optimise the settings for the driving conditions. The ABS braking system integrated with the ASR drive control system actuated a ventilated and cross drilled disc brake on each wheel, each disc having a four piston light alloy calliper.
The interior was upholstered in leather as standard, with electronic adjustment facilities for the seats available as an option, with a luggage void behind them capable of housing a set of golf club, or a pair of slim suitcases. The occupants were reminded of the emphasis of aluminium in the construction, with aluminium panels covering part of the centre console, the lower door panels and the face of the instrument binnacle. Twin airbags were provided, as was air conditioning, elctric windows and door mirrors, plus a stereo system with an optional CD player. As an option sports seats were available, along with a range of items from the “Carraozzeria Scaglietti” personalisation accessory range specific to the model.
The 25 August 1999 issue of “Autocar” magazine featured a road test of an example with the F1 gearbox, where they recorded a 0-06 mph time of 4.2 seconds, and a 0-100 mph time of 8.8 seconds, quoting the manufacturer’s claimed top speed of 184 mph.
In their Road Test Yearbook that formed part of their final issue of the twentieth century, they pronounced it “the world’s best sports car”, the highest of accolades to carry into the new millennium.
the engine
The engine was a derivation of that designed for the F355 with a small increase in cubic capacity to 3.6 litres, hence the 360 model designation. The longitudinally mid mounted 90 degree V8 engine had an actual cubic capacity of 3586cc, with a bore and stroke of 85mm x 79mm, five valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts per bank, and dry sump lubrication. The block, cylinder heads, sump, and sundry castings were constructed from light alloy, featuring Nicasil treated alloy cylinder liners, and titanium alloy con rods.
A Bosch Motronic ME 7.3 combined fuel injection/ignition engine management system was fitted, featuring a “fly by wire” throttle system, and a variable back pressure exhaust system, to provide a claimed power output of 400bhp, which equates to 112 bhp/litre, driving through a six speed plus reverse transmission in unit with the engine.
The gearbox was available with standard manual control via the traditional lever in the open gate, or an upgraded and more sophisticated of the “F1” system introduced on the F355 model, with “up” and “down” gear change paddles mounted on the steering column.
One of the advances of the revised system was that on sensing an input from the driver on either paddle, the throttle opening was adjusted accordingly during the change process to automatically out the gear change.
Ferrari 360 MODENA Facts
The Ferrari 360 Moderna has a top speed of 235 km/h.
The Ferrari 360 Modena has a V6 engine, that displaces 1986.60 cc.
The Ferrari 360 Modena has 2 seats for passengers to sit in.
specifications
engine
Type
rear, transverse, 65° V6
Bore/stroke
86 x 57 mm
Unitary displacement
331.10 cc
Total displacement
1986.60 cc
Compression ratio
9 : 1
Maximum power
132 kW (180 hp) at 8000 rpm
Power per litre
91 hp/l
Maximum torque
–
Valve actuation
twin overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed
three Weber 40 DCN F/1 carburettors
Ignition
single spark plug per cylinder, single coil
Lubrication
wet sump
Clutch
single-plate
Chassis
Frame
tubular steel
Front suspension
independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension
independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Brakes
discs
Transmission
5-speed + reverse
Steering
rack-and-pinion
Fuel tank
capacity 65 litres
Front tyres
185 VR 14
Rear tyres
185 VR 14
bodywork
Type
two-seater berlinetta
Length
4150 mm
Width
1700 mm
Height
1115 mm
Wheelbase
2280 mm
Front track
1425 mm
Rear track
1400 mm
Weight
900 kg (dry)
Performance
Top speed
235 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
–
0-400 m
–
0-1000 m
27 sec
