Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 1993, 1994, 1995
Ferrari introduced a two-seater roadster after two decades of absence on that niche market: it was the 1993 348 Spider, a sports-car that brought more smiles per miles than any other Ferrari from those times.
The Italian carmaker introduced the Daytona in 1973, and it was a blast for anyone could own one. After that, the prancing-horse brand focused on more performance vehicles and built them as a coupe or, at most, with a removable roof system (targa). But that was ended in 1993 when, along with the facelift for the 348 model, Ferrari introduced the rag-top version as well.
Ferrari engineers had a tough job of building the convertible version for the 348 since the car was a mid-engine vehicle. Its canvas-top was manually operated but required a minimum effort, and a cloth tonneau covered it for a sleeker look. With the top covered, the car's shape was very similar to the coupe version. On the bodywork, the carmaker installed body-colored lower plastic panels that enhanced the car's aerodynamic.
Inside, the two-seat roadster featured a new interior and instrument cluster. Its orange-on-black dials were easy to read. The steering wheel column was adjustable on height and featured a longer travel than on the non-facelifted 348 model. On the center console, the carmaker installed the gear-stick on the metallic gate-pattern. The black center stack featured the controls for the climate control system and a hidden compartment at the top for a stereo.
Under the hood, Ferrari installed the same 3.4-liter V-8 engine as on the non-facelifted version but added some modifications that increased the power up to 320 hp from 300 hp.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.4 V8 5MT (320 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3405 cm3 |
Power: | 235.4 KW @ 7200 RPM 320 HP @ 7200 RPM 316 BHP @ 7200 RPM |
Torque: | 239 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 324 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 174 mph (280 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 5.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225-50 ZR 17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 74.6 in (1895 mm) |
Height: | 46.1 in (1171 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/62.1 in (1,501/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.5 in (2451 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.5 cuFT (241 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.42 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3274 lbs (1485 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3704 lbs (1680 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 11.8 mpg US (19.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 24.5 mpg US (9.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18.5 mpg US (12.7 L/100Km) |