Vehicle Overview
With a base price of $138,225, the 360 Modena is Ferraris entry-level model. Even if you can afford one, you might have to wait one to two years to buy a new one because most dealers have waiting lists.
The mid-engine 360 Modena replaced the F355 last year, and it currently comes as a two-door coupe. A convertible Spider version is due in the United States early in 2001.
Exterior
With a low nose, bulging fenders and fastback rear roof, the 360 has classic Ferrari styling cues. Large, functional air intakes cool the dual radiators and the engine. Aluminum is used for the body, chassis and suspension, which trims the curb weight to 3,064 pounds more than 200 pounds less than the predecessor F355.
At 176 inches long, the 360 is about the same length as a Honda Civic, which at 55 inches high, is 7 inches taller than the Modena.
Interior
The two bucket seats are available in 12 shades of leather, and Ferrari advises that customers can even choose the color of the stitching. With the engine mounted behind the seats, there is a luggage area in the front and a cargo bench behind the seats that is big enough to carry a golf bag.
Under the Hood
A 400-horsepower 3.6-liter V-8 mounted behind the seats and ahead of the rear axle powers the rear-drive 360 and teams with a six-speed manual transmission. The standard transmission has a floor-mounted shift lever, and the optional unit has electrohydraulic, Formula One-style paddles mounted on the steering column that allow changing gears without removing hands from the steering wheel.
Ferrari says the 360 reaches 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds and can cruise to a top speed of more than 180 mph.