Ferrari F355 Berlinetta

Why it matters

Introduced in 1994, the F355 Berlinetta represented a profound technical leap beyond the 348 it replaced. Its new 3,496 cc flat-plane-crank V8 used five valves per cylinder, titanium connecting rods, Bosch Motronic management and an 8,500-rpm redline to produce 380 hp at 8,250 rpm—more than 108 hp per liter without forced induction. Power reached the rear wheels through a six-speed gated manual transaxle, while power-assisted steering, electronically controlled dampers and a thoroughly revised chassis made the car both faster and more approachable. Pininfarina refined the classic mid-engined silhouette with clean side intakes, flying rear buttresses and a full underbody aerodynamic system that generated useful downforce without a prominent wing. The F355 also introduced a bypass valve that gave its exhaust one of Ferrari's most celebrated soundtracks. Ferrari produced 4,871 Berlinettas across manual and later F1-transmission forms. Its combination of beauty, usability and high-revving mechanical character restored Ferrari's compact V8 line to world-leading status and set the direction for the 360 Modena.