Ferrari 348 GTB, GTS & Spider
In late 1993, the 348 was revised, featuring subtle styling changes (front grille, rear chrome Cavallino and removable seat cushions) and more power, this time 312 hp (233 kW; 316 PS) and 320 PS (235 kW; 316 hp) (Europe) from the same 3.4-litre engine, with an improved engine management system – Bosch Motronic 2.7 and a new exhaust system (single muffler).
The revised cars are called 348 GTB (252 made) and GTS (137 made) and were presented to the public as the 348 GT versions, equipped with the F119H engine (as opposed to the original F119D and US F119G). The F119H engine had an increased 10.8:1 compression ratio as compared to the F119D & F119G’s 10.4:1 compression ratio, taller intake plenums, a larger intake compensation valve, fuel pressure raised from 3.4 bar to 3.8 bar, and different camshaft timing.
For these models, both the engine cover and lower body skirts were body-coloured instead of black, and the rear track was one inch wider due to the mounting area, on the inside, of the rear wheels being thicker. The suspension geometry was revised which greatly enhanced its handling, ride and body control. The fuel tank was made smaller in order to reduce overall weight and provide space to improve chassis rigidity; it now held 88 L (23 US gal; 19 imp gal).
A convertible variant called the Spider was introduced in 1993 and was Ferrari’s first series production convertible model since the Daytona Spider. Visual changes for the spider included body coloured lower cladding pieces, a specially designed engine cover and a manual folding soft top. The rear track was increased by 50 mm (2.0 in) compared to the 348 tb. The Spider used the same engine as the 348 GT models and hence benefitted from the increased power output. A new transverse mounted gearbox with modified gear ratios was installed to ensure better acceleration times and shift response.
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| price $ | $ 94,000 |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Mid Engine |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl |
| displacement | 3405 cc / 207.8 in³ |
| bore | 85.0 mm / 3.35 in |
| stroke | 75.0 mm / 2.95 in |
| compression | 10.4:1 |
| power | 223.7 kw / 300.0 bhp @ 7200 rpm |
| specific output | 88.11 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 203.53 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 310.5 nm / 229.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| redline | 7500 |
| body / frame | Steel & Aluminum on Skeletal Steel Frame |
| driven wheels | Mid Engine / RWD |
| front tires | F 215/50ZR-17 |
| rear tires | R 255/45ZR-17 |
| front brakes | Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist & ABS |
| rear brakes | Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist & ABS |
| front wheels | F 43.2 x 19.0 cm / 17 x 7.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17 x 9 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Upper & Lower A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Tube Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Upper & Lower A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Tube Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 1474 kg / 3250 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2450 mm / 96.5 in |
| front track | 1502 mm / 59.1 in |
| rear track | 1578 mm / 62.1 in |
| length | 4230 mm / 166.5 in |
| width | 1894 mm / 74.6 in |
| height | 1170 mm / 46.1 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.21:1, 2.11:1, 1.46:1, 1.09:1, 0.86:1 |
| final drive | 3.53:1 |
| top speed | ~275 kph / 170.9 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.8 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14.2 seconds |
