1997 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta Review and Performance Comparison

Ferrari 355 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out around 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 driven by the Ferrari Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 355 shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the 355's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1332 kgs (2936 lbs) places the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta in a similar weight category as the 2024 Rezvani Beast 6.2 V8 and the excellent 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo, give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 355 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3496cc 40 valve, V 8 engine produces around 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 8250 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp) and also the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 BYD Sealion 7 Comfort (280 lb-ft) or the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (288 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1997 Ferrari 355 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its 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. Bhp per ton figures of the 1997 355 F1 Berlinetta means you're competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 (305.8 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta generates around 201.2 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (226.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2023 BYD Seal Excellence AWD (226.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta can accelerate 0–60mph in 4.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta include the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (4.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (4.70 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2022 Maserati Quattroporte Modena (4.80 secs) and the 2022 Maybach S 580 4MATIC (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta and the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1997 Ferrari 355 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.69 secs with a trap speed around 107.3 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 (12.70 seconds @ 107.2 mph) and a close race between the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG (12.70 seconds @ 107.2 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1997 version of the Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta has a maximum speed of 183mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 355 equals the Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1997 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta then there's the slightly slower the Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph) or how about the impressive Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 4.7 V8 (181 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1997 355 Rivals List.
• 1997 355: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Ferrari
• Compare the 1997 Ferrari 355