FERRARI 348
Generations Timeline, Specs and Pictures
Ferrari introduced a facelifted version for the 348 in 1993, fixing most of the car’s problems and increasing its engine power.
When Ferrari unveiled the 348 in 1989, it stirred the customers between those who loved the side slats carried over from the Testarossa and those who didn’t. But that was only one part of the car’s issues. Later on, the customers noticed that the car was not that well balanced. Ferrari started to work on constant updates and, in 1993, the carmaker launched a completely revised version for the 348.
There were a few exterior modifications for the 1993 model. Ferrari moved the turn signals from the front bumpers’ sides to the fenders, and they were round and smaller. Also, on the non-facelifted version, the 348 featured a black lower apron front spoiler and side sills. Starting with the revised version, these elements were body-colored. The carmaker decided to drop the grille-covered taillights in the rear, which the Testarossa inspired, and let the rectangular lamps exposed. In the middle, a chromed Ferrari badge replaced the previous black one.
Inside, the 348 GTB was as luxurious as a Ferrari could be. Its leather-clad interior with a two-tone dashboard design looked proper for a Grand Touring Car.
The engine was mounted longitudinally, and the gearbox was transverse. That unusual combination led to better weight distribution. Starting with the 1993 model, the car received a wider track at the rear, making the 348 better on cornering speeds. The engine electronic management was improved, leading to a 20 hp increase.
In 1993 Ferrari brought a few changes to the 348 range for both coupe and open-top version, increasing the engine power and improving the car’s look.
The Testarossa was already an icon when Ferrari introduced the 348 in 1989, but the car came with some issues, which the carmaker discovered later when customers started complaining about them. Some of them were barely noticeable, but others were annoying. Ferrari engineers went back to their drawing board and fixed what they had to, and the new version was much better.
There were a few exterior modifications for the 1993 model. Ferrari moved the turn signals from the front bumpers’ sides to the fenders, and they were round and smaller. Also, on the non-facelifted version, the 348 featured a black lower apron front spoiler and side sills. These elements were body-colored on the 1993 model. As a targa-top, the GTS was the middle-road between the GTB and the Spyder. The carmaker decided to drop the grille-covered taillights in the rear, which the Testarossa inspired, and let the rectangular lamps exposed. In the middle, a chromed Ferrari badge replaced the previous black one.
Inside, the carmaker was more cautious with the finishes while using the same high-quality materials. It kept the high-bolstered seats and improved the audio system.
The engine was mounted longitudinally, and the gearbox was transverse. That unusual combination led to better weight distribution. The car received a wider track at the rear to improve the car’s handling, making the 348 better on cornering speeds. The electronic engine management was improved, leading to a 20 hp increase.
Ferrari replaced the 328 model in 1989 and introduced the 348 range, either a coupe or an open-top sports car, and it was the last V-8 powered sports car built under Enzo Ferrari’s supervision.
According to its tradition, Ferrari named its new model according to the car’s main specifications. The 348 was a 3.4-liter V-8 sports car, while the TB letters stood for Transverse Berlinetta (transversely mounted engine, in a two-door car).
By 1989, the Italian carmaker was well-known for its high-performance cars, and there were just a few other carmakers that dared challenge it. Pininfarina designed the car and installed pop-up headlights at the front while the fog and parking lights were integrated into the front bumper. Its lower part of the bumper and the side sills were black. Thus, the car’s profile looked slimmer. Its side air-intakes for the engine sported long slats that started on the front doors. At the back, five horizontal slats covered the taillights and sported the black badge. It was black to commemorate the passing of Enzo Ferrari.
Inside, the carmaker installed an elegant yet sporty interior. The high-bolstered seats were separated by a tall center console, where the carmaker placed the gear-stick. Its two-tone dashboard featured a black upper part, while the lower side sported the upholstery’s color. Inside the instrument cluster, Ferrari installed big dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Between them, it placed the fuel-gauge and the coolant temperature.
A 3.4-liter V-8 with four valves per cylinder powered the supercar. It provided 300 hp and was mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Ferrari introduced the 348 lineup in 1989 as a successor for the 328 as a coupe, targa, or roadster, and it was the last V-8 powered sports car built under Enzo Ferrari’s supervision.
The Italian carmaker was already a benchmark for supercars around the world, and it had to stay there. Since Lamborghini was in big financial troubles, the only significant competitor was the German carmaker Porsche. But Ferrari managed to stay ahead with the 348. Like its predecessor, the number represented the displacement, 3.4-liter, and the number of cylinders: 8.
Pininfarina designed the car and made the targa version as well. The 348 featured pop-up headlights at the front while the fog and parking lights were integrated into the front bumper. Its lower part of the bumper and the side sills were black. Thus, the car’s profile seemed to be slimmer. Unlike its sibling, the 348 GTB, the 348 ts featured a removable roof panel. Its side air-intakes for the engine sported long slats that started on the front doors. At the back, five horizontal slats covered the taillights and sported the black badge. It was black to commemorate the passing of Enzo Ferrari.
Inside, the carmaker installed an elegant yet sporty interior. The high-bolstered seats were separated by a tall center console, where the carmaker placed the gear-stick. Its two-tone dashboard featured a black upper part, while the lower side sported the upholstery’s color. Inside the instrument cluster, Ferrari installed big dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Between them, it placed the fuel-gauge and the coolant temperature.
A 3.4-liter V-8 with four valves per cylinder powered the supercar. It provided 300 hp and was mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.