REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

A wild ride

Ferrari proceeded with the launch of the 360 Modena in 2000, a worthy replacement for the F355, the most popular of all Ferrari models (10,000 units sold in five years).

Under a relatively sporty guise, the 360 Modena has been designed for day-to-day use, and notably, for a female clientele who will succumb easily (gents will too) to the charms of the convertible version that was introduced only a few months ago. Hundreds of hours spent in wind tunnels have made it possible to perfect this Ferrari’s aerodynamics and its lines are still signed by the PininFarina team, Scuderia’s official designer.

Goodbye spartan and bizarre interior design. To begin with, the 360 Modena’s interior is considerably roomier than the F355’s. Secondly, ergonomics have become a priority for Ferrari. In short, the passenger compartment is the obvious result of attention to presentation and detail. On the down side, manufacturing quality still leaves much to be desired.A glass bubble provides a permanent panoramic view of the 3.6- litre V8 mid-engine. With a 400-hp output, it boasts five valves per cylinder, a technique that became standard with the F355 in 1994. What can we say about the mechanical system? If nothing else, it sounds as wonderful as ever and it can throw you far back into your seat. This model offers better pick-up compared to the F355. No wonder: the 360 Modena is not only more powerful, it’s lighter than its predecessor. To convey power to the rear drive wheels, Ferrari offers the choice between a semi-automatic (F1) transmission or a six-speed transmission that proves - surprisingly - to be fairly fun to use.

In fact, no other Ferrari transmission has ever been this cooperative. Compared to those on the Ferrari V12 models, it’s remarkable smooth and considerably responsive. What ’ s more, it is an excellent match for the V8. The flaws typical of the F355’s steering system are a thing of the past. On the other hand, the front-end has a marked tendency to understeer at lower speeds, which is a bit surprising. When the suspension is in the Sport mode and the traction control system is deactivated, it takes a bit of skill to handle the Modena’s special architecture (mid-engine).

Drivers also need to know how to handle its turning circle. In a nutshell, this is a very sporty but relatively comfortable model.

PROS
Good aerodynamics
More comfortable interior
Better performance levels

CONS
Marginal manufacturing quality
Understeering
Poor rear visibility