Performance Review: Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 355 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Ferrari 355 has a 3496cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The 355 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 355'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 1332 kgs (2936 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 355 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3496cc 40V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 8250 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 355 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 355.

The Ferrari 355 has a Power to weight ratio of 281.5 bhp per ton and 201.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 355 competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) or the 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 (305.8 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 355 generating around 201.2 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 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 355 and the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 355 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.74 secs @ 107.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (12.70 secs), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged (12.70 secs), and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (12.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta has a maximum speed of 183mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 355 equals the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta then how about the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (194 mph), the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (194 mph), or the 2016 NIO EP9 1MW (194 mph).

Related Links:

1997 355 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison