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The F355 Spider brought this spirit to a whole new level by melding the berlinetta and the GTS's acknowledged performance with a superbly efficient electronically-operated semi-automatic soft top. The factors
that made the F355 such a successful model made the transition unaltered to the Pininfarina-styled Spider: a very elastic 380 hp engine with five valves per cylinder, 109 hp/litre specific power output, 4.7-second 0 a 100 km/h
sprinting and 37 Kgm of torque.
The two-seater F355 Spider had a steel and aluminium body. Its styling was moulded around an aerodynamically severe design that included a full-body undertray designed to equalise
downforce (Cl) between the two axles.
The cabin was designed with both safety and driving pleasure in mind. The seats and trim were Connolly leather. Composite racing seats were also available to order. The chassis was
a steel monocoque with a tubular steel rear sub-frame for the engine-suspension assembly. Both front and rear suspension used independent unequal-length wishbones and coil springs over gas-filled telescopic electronic dampers
with two settings. The car also has anti-roll bars.
The steering was rack and pinion with power-assist, and optional mechanical gear. The brakes had self-venting discs and excludable ABS ATE. The 18" wheel rims were
magnesium.
The mid-rear 3496 cc 90° V8 was longitudinally mounted and punched out 380 hp, giving it a specific power output of 109 hp/l. Distribution was by means of twin overhead cams with five valves per cylinder. The
con rods were titanium, while the control unit was the Bosch M5.2. Dry sump lubrication and a six-speed plus reverse mechanical gearbox completed the picture along with a dry single-plate clutch.
Engine
Type.................................rear, longitudinal 90° V8
Bore/stroke.........................85 x 77 mm
Unitary displacement............436.94 cc
Total displacement...............3495.50 cc
Compression ratio.................11 : 1
Maximum power...................279 kW (380 hp) at 8250 rpm
Power per litre.....................109 hp/l
Maximum torque..................363 Nm (37 kgm) at 6000 rpm
Valve actuation...................twin overhead camshafts per bank, five 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.......................6-speed + reverse
Steering.............................rack-and-pinion
Fuel tank............................capacity 88 litres
Front tyres.........................225/40 ZR 18
Rear tyres..........................265/40 ZR 18
Bodywork
Type.................................two-seater spider
Length...............................4250 mm
Width................................1900 mm
Height...............................1170 mm
Wheelbase..........................2450 mm
Front track.........................1514 mm
Rear track..........................1615 mm
Weight...............................1350 kg (dry)
Performance
Top speed..........................295 km/h
Acceleration
0-100 km/h.........................4.7 sec
0-400 m.............................12.9 sec
0-1000 m...........................23.7 sec
<1990
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