Ferrari 348 History

The Ferrari 348 debuted at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show as a clean-sheet replacement for the 328. It retained the mid-mounted V8 configuration but switched to a longitudinally mounted 3.4-litre unit producing around 300 hp, a layout that would carry through to the 458.

The 348 tb (transversale berlinetta) and 348 ts (transversale spider) were joined by an open 348 Spider from 1993. A limited-run 348 Challenge race variant and the 348 Serie Speciale were also offered. Although capable, the 348 earned a reputation for tricky handling at the limit — criticism Ferrari addressed decisively with the F355 in 1994.

Approximately 8,844 examples were built across all variants (1989–1995), including the rare 348 GT Competizione. The 348 Challenge one-make race series demonstrated the platform's motorsport potential and was the template for Ferrari's later Challenge championships.