Performance Review: Ferrari 348 tb - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 348 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 348 tb is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Ferrari 348 has a 3405cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 348 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 348's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1390 kgs (3064 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 348 tb in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 348 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3405cc 32V V8 engine produces 295 bhp (219 kW) @ 7200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 238 lb-ft (322.6 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 348 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 348.

The Ferrari 348 has a Power to weight ratio of 212.2 bhp per ton and 171.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 348 competing with the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 (236.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 348 generating around 171.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (196.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion DSG 2.0 Turbo (196.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Ferrari 348 tb as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Ferrari 348 tb is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 348 and the 1969 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 348 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.72 secs @ 99.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Buick GS 455 Stage 1 7.5 V8 (13.65 secs), the 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S (13.66 secs), and the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (13.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Ferrari 348 tb has a maximum speed of 171mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 348 equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Ferrari 348 tb then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 (183 mph).

Related Links:

1989 348 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison