Ferrari 360  

Overview
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	1999 to 2004
Assembly	Maranello, Italy
Designer	Pininfarina
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-seat Coupe 2-seat Spider
Layout	Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.6 L Tipo F131 V8
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed "F1" electrohydraulic manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2000–02: 102.4 in (2,601 mm) 2003–05: 102.3 in (2,598 mm)
Length	2000–02: 176.4 in (4,481 mm) 2003–05: 176.3 in (4,478 mm)
Width	2000–02: 75.7 in (1,923 mm) 2003–05: 75.6 in (1,920 mm)
Height	2000–02: 47.8 in (1,214 mm) 2003–05 47.7 in (1,212 mm)

The Ferrari 360 is a sports car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari between 1999 and 2004

History

The Ferrari 360 was divided into three models: Modena , Spider and Challenge Stradale .With over ten thousand units produced it is one of the major commercial successes of the Prancing Horse house, second only to the Ferrari California.

The 360 ​​Modena is a rear-wheel drive 2 seat sports berlinetta . A special feature is the mid-engine in full view through the rear window of the car. The 360 ​​has taken part in numerous sporting events with the Challenge version, lighter than the base model but with the same engine. 

This new model marks a decisive turning point in the history of Ferrari, in fact it no longer has "retractable" headlights, replaced by "visible" ones with new lighting technologies; it no longer even features the classic taut lines, like its progenitor, the Ferrari F355. The engine is now the new V8 with 5 valves per cylinder, with an angle of 90 ° and with a displacement increased to 3,586 cc, and delivers 400 horsepower at 8500 rpm. Thanks to the extensive use of aluminum, it now weighs 28% less than the F355, despite its larger dimensions. In 2000 the 360 ​​Spider was born , with an electrically foldable canvas roof. Also available with F1 gearbox derived directly from Formula 1 models .

In 2000 a 360 Barchetta F1 was created to pay homage to the President of Ferrari Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as a wedding gift from Gianni Agnelli , a 360 Spider F1 in Alloy Gray color produced in a single example.

The latest version presented in chronological order, in 2003 , is the Challenge Stradale , produced in 1,274 units, which presents the coupé body of the Modena version but with some more racing devices such as the adoption of a braking system consisting of discs in carbon-ceramic composite material, trim lowered by 15 mm, front bumper with two side openings, more marked side skirts, a small raised hood in the engine compartment with spoiler function, rear-view mirrors in carbon, 19 "wheels with original design Challenge, carbon shell seats.

The most important changes for the increase in performance are the increase in engine power to 425 hp and a lightening of the car thanks to a greater use of lighter metals (for example titanium for the shock absorber springs and wheel bolts) and carbon used both in structural details and in external and internal finishing elements. In this way the weight of the Challenge Stradale drops to 1,180 kg. Even the electro-actuated gearbox with paddles on the steering wheel called "F1" has been speeded up from 200 milliseconds in the Modena to 150 milliseconds in the Challenge Stradale and the aerodynamics have been improved with a more pronounced front splitter which has made it possible to increase the vertical load by 50% compared to to 360 Modena. With this special version of the 360 ​​Modena, we wanted to reach a specific goal: to give the driver sensations that only a

Based on the 360 ​​Spider, the Italian designer Franco Sbarro created in 2006 the GT8, a car that shared the mechanical component of the Italian car but which was modified in the design of the body. It was built in two copies. 

In 2000, Ferrari developed the 360 ​​Challenge in just over 300 units, (not to be confused with the Challenge Stradale produced in 1,274 units starting from 2003), for single-make races and for various FIA championships , using standard mechanics, but with a weight reduced to 1,170 kg (120 less than the standard 360 Modena). In 2001 , a revised version of the challenge was born, capable of 415 horsepower. In 2002 , the 360 ​​began competing in major official championships, such as the FIA ​​GT and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans .

To participate, the customer racing department had designed 20 FIA homologated models of 360 Modena which had a lowered body made of carbon fiber , with an eye-catching rear wing . The engine had been boosted up to 430 horsepower. To compete against the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR , in 2003 the 360 ​​GTC was developed in collaboration with Michelotto , capable of 445 horsepower at 8750 rpm, and with a weight reduced to 1,100 kg  . From 2002 to 2005 , however, the 360 ​​GT was built in 30 units ; it originated from the 360 ​​Challenge and was entrusted to private drivers who used it in the FIA ​​GT Championship , The original 360GT power output was 445 horsepower (332 kW) at 8750 rpm, the GTC bettered that raising peak power to 472 bhp while still breathing through the mandatory 30.8mm air restrictors. (Without the mandatory [for racing in N-GT class] air restrictors in place the engine dyno's at an astonishing 550 bhp).

Modena

The first model of the 360 to be shipped was the Modena, named after the town of Modena, the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari. Its six-speed gearbox is available as a 6 speed manual, or F1 electrohydraulic manual which was only offered after late 2000.

The Modena went into production in 1999 and remained in production until 2005 when it was replaced by the F430. The Modena was followed 2 years later by the 360 Spider, Ferrari's 20th road-going convertible which at launch overtook sales of the Modena. Other than weight, the Spider's specifications matched those of the Modena almost exactly.

The Challenge Stradale was a later addition to the line-up, the finale model before replacement. It was essentially a lightened, factory tuned version of the Modena with many of the Modena's optional extras becoming standard. Carbon seats, racing exhaust, carbon engine bay, and so on. Famously at the time Ferrari claimed it dropped up to 110 kg over the stock Modena helping to improving its handling. Many other chassis optimizations where carried out too such as stiffer titanium springs (lowering unsprung weight), stiffer bushings and an updated rear anti roll bar (the same anti-roll bar as used on 430 Scuderia) along with a remapped active suspension computer. Changes also included larger 19" BBS wheels, the use of carbon fiber for the frames of the seats and mirrors, titanium springs which were also 20% stiffer, and Carbon fiber-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite brake disks. A variety of option allowed for further weight reductions, including replacing the leather interior with fabric, removal of the power windows and mirrors, and deletion of the stereo. Lexan side windows were available in Europe only but everywhere else got the Lexan rear cover. It was officially introduced in March 2003 at the Geneva International Motor Show and went into production shortly thereafter. The CS can be compared to Porsche's GT3 RS model in design approach and many magazines have placed them head-to-head in road tests.

Spider

The 360 Spider is Ferrari's twentieth road-going convertible. It was created specifically for a Spider variation, as removing a coupe's roof diminishes torsional rigidity, therefore the 360 was developed for strength in other places. The sills were strengthened, the front of the floorpan was stiffened, and the windscreen structure was modified by Ferrari designers. To keep engine noise out of the cabin, the back bulkhead had to be strengthened. Additional side bracing and a cross brace in front of the engine give the convertible with the essential dynamic stiffness. A reinforced windscreen frame and roll bars improve passenger safety.

The 360 Spider displays a curvilinear waistline. The fairings imply the start of a roof, and stable roll bars are embedded in these elevations. Due to use of light aluminium construction throughout, the Spider weighs in only 60 kg (130 lb) heavier than the coupé.As with the Modena version, its 3.6 litre V8 with 400 bhp (300 kW) is on display under a glass hood. The engine — confined in space by the convertible's top's storage area — acquires additional air supply through especially large side grills. The intake manifolds were moved toward the center of the engine between the air supply conduits in the Spider engine compartment, as opposed to lying apart as with the Modena. In terms of performance, the 0-60 time was slightly slower at 4.4 seconds due to the slight weight increase, and the top speed was reduced from 189 to 180 mph.

Despite the car's mid-mounted V8 engine, the electrically operated top is able to stow into the compartment when not in use. The convertible top was available in black, blue, grey and beige colors. The transformation from a closed top to an open-air convertible is a two-stage folding-action that has been dubbed "a stunning 20 second mechanical symphony".The interior of the Spider is identical to that of the coupé.

Challenge Stradale

The Challenge Stradale is a limited production track day focused car based on the 360 Modena. It was inspired by the 360 Modena Challenge racing car so the focus was primarily on improving its track lapping performance by concentrating on handling, braking and weight reduction characteristics, which are essential in pure racing cars. Ferrari engineers designed the car from the outset with a goal of 20% track day use in mind and 80% road use. With only a small 20 bhp (15 kW) improvement in engine power from the Modena (and boasting an improved power-to-weight ratio) the Challenge Stradale accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds (three tenths faster than a Modena) but bald figures do not paint the full picture. For the enthusiastic driver the differences are truly staggering; genuine systematic improvements were achieved to the setup and feel of the whole car. Throttle response from the digital throttle was ratcheted up and feedback through the steering wheel was enhanced. The responsiveness of the controls, the balance of the chassis, the braking performance and the driver feedback all contribute greatly to the overall driving experience and lead the Challenge Stradale to claim an impressive 3.5 seconds improvement per lap of its Fiorano circuit compared to the Modena (the target was 2.5 seconds).

In total, the Challenge Stradale is up to 110 kg (243 lb) lighter than the standard Modena if all the lightweight options are specified such as deleted radio, lexan (plexiglass) door window and Alcantara fabric (instead of the leather option). As much as 94 kilograms (207 lb) was taken off on the car by lightening the bumpers, stripping the interior of its sound deadening and carbon mirrors and making the optional Modena carbon seats standard. Resin Transfer Moulding was utilized for the bumpers and skirts, a carry over from the Challenge cars which resulted in lighter bumpers than on the Modena. The engine and transmission weight was slimmed down 11 kg (24 lb) through the use of a smaller, lighter weight sports (yet still stainless steel) exhaust back box and valved exit pipes. The Challenge Stradale also got Brembo carbon ceramic brakes as standard (which later became standard fitment on the F430) which shaved 16 kg off the curb weight and improved handling by reducing unsprung weight and completely eliminating brake fade.

A 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena in the opening sequence of Die Another Day, 007 Movie