Ferrari Mondial 8
The Ferrari Mondial is an automobile produced by Ferrari between 1980 and 1993.
The Dino 308 GT4 had not been as successful as hoped, according to Enzo Ferrari, not for the mechanical layout as a 2 +2 coupe with a mid-engine design but built by Bertone. For this reason it was proposed in 1980 the creation of a new car, called the Mondial 8. Mondial The name was dedicated to the victory in the F1 world championship last year, as was done by a famous model of the fifties.
This time the realization of the design was entrusted to Pininfarina. The aesthetics of the World, even if it is set for a 2 +2 car, was distancing itself from the shape of a “wedge” of the 308 GT4, since it had a less aggressive line much better suited to a car 4 seats. For the first time appear the large side vents, which will later be adapted also on the Ferrari Testarossa.
The Mondial was one of the first world car of Ferrari, with a tubular chassis, a longer wheelbase, a transverse engine, independent suspension, five-speed transmission, and an innovative removable chassis at the rear to facilitate the operations of mechanics (technique then worked on the Ferrari later).
The cabin was equipped with elegant and well-defined new plastic inserts and electric buttons to replacement of old switches problematic guy. Completing all 4 comfortable seats of leather Connolly, a trip computer and an innovative electronic ignition system Marelli Digiplex.
The car adopted a V8 engine with 214hp 2926cm ³ derived from the Ferrari 308 GTB coupled to a power injection Bosch K-Jetronic.
In Europe, the car was well received, especially in Britain by the rave reviews of the magazine Car.
To meet stringent anti-pollution regulations, the export version for the Swiss market and the U.S. had to adopt a lower compression and a catalyst that lowered his power. In fact, many foreign customers did not like this power reduction, which also coincided with the elimination of carburetors which were loyal Ferrari customers. This cold impact for the export versions, combined with recurring failures of the system the first electric models, led engineers and technicians to test Ferrari Mondial on the next version of the engine 4 valves per cylinder derived from Formula 1 race cars.
Mondial 8 coupe were built only specimens, with only one rear-view mirror, a two-tone, a body not galvanized and welded brass.
In 1982, he launched the World Quattrovalvole, driven by the new V8 engine with 32-valve cylinder head. The power increased to 240hp and improved overall performance. From the aesthetic point of view and chassis section, the car was almost similar to the Mondial 8.
The interior of the Mondial Quattrovalvole, however, was different. The center console and the tunnel had been redesigned to accommodate new buttons and an improved electrical system. Also changed the housing of the on-board computer and the writing appeared on the dash chrome Quattrovalvole.
The car finally started to collect a wider success, due to the excellent performance of the engine. But the big breakthrough came in 1983 with the launch of Quattrovalvole Mondial Cabriolet. The absence of the roof profited lot to the line and the presence of the tubular frame, which limited the need for reinforcements, allowed to contain the increase of weight in just 55kg.
The Mondial Cabriolet achieved great success abroad, especially in the United States (which absorbed 80% of production).
In 1985, the Mondial are totally renewed aesthetics and mechanics in both coupe and convertible. To eliminate the bulky bumpers and blacks are drawn with a new front and a new bumper, which subsequently also equip the Ferrari 328 Testarossa and GTB/GTS Turbo. This also leads to changes on the entire body. The body is also lighter with tailgate, bonnet and grille made entirely of aluminum. The ventilation grids were made instead of composite material easy to remove for maintenance of the air supply channel. The door trim and interior frames are streamlined, while the interiors are similar to the version Quattrovalvole.
In the last few versions and end of series (1988) the electrical system (which had already solved the problems of the early versions) becomes even more secure, thanks to the disappearance of the old-fashioned board computer. In addition, the car presents for the first time on a Ferrari an innovative ABS system. Also present were the optional sunroof and 16-inch wheels in magnesium.
From the technical point of view the most important innovations were concentrated in the engine, whose displacement increased to 3185cc. Thanks to the power of 275hp performance was absolutely excellent. The ‘power of the car is assigned to the new unit Marelli Microplex single.
The Swiss and American versions were equipped with more electronic equipment, ie a unit with oxygen sensors and catalytic Jetronic dedicated to the management of the mixture air/fuel to avoid a decrease in performance.
Mondial and the 328 are the latest cars from Maranello V8 engine equipped with a central cross. The transverse engine has the advantage of being able to be serviced, and coupons in place without the total removal of the motor (as in later models), with a cost. Even the mechanical parts and the parts of the two are easily available, bringing the cars to be defined by the famous magazine Force as the cars more affordable and manageable in Maranello.
This car is tied to a particular event. On June 4, 1988, Pope John Paul II visited the Ferrari factory. Enzo Ferrari was sick and he could have with the pope just a phone interview. The holy pontiff, outside of any protocol, asks to be supplied Ferrari car to greet the faithful who were on the Fiorano track. His wish was quickly granted. The car was given a Mondial convertible and was led Enzo Ferrari’s son, Piero Ferrari. The picture of the pope on the Mondial quickly made the rounds of the world.
At the Geneva Motor Show 1989 was presented with the Mondial T. This model, developed models inspired by the Formula 1, had a longitudinal engine and an innovative new transverse gearbox (hence the name T).
The engine displacement increased to 3,405cc (with a bore of 85 mm and a stroke of 75 mm) and the power reached 300hp at 7,200 rpm/minute (with a torque maximum of 33kgm at 4,200 rpm/minute). With the new weight distribution and more power, the Mondial (always produced in coupe and convertible), reached 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and top speed went up to 255km/h, maintaining good ease of guide.
Accomplice of the increase in performance was the new ignition system and fuel injection Bosch Motronic which replaced the previous mechanical system. The new engine longitudinal rather than transverse, as well as improve the efficiency of waste allowed to lower the center of gravity of 12 cm.; Electronic control suspension was variable adjustments in the Soft mode, Auto (a control unit adjusts the suspension according to the road surface) and Hard. The change became cross with twin plate clutch rear overhang.
Even the aesthetics have been changed in part, with an air mesh and scaled down (something that some fans did not like). The wheel had more rounded lines, and the door handles were the same color. The interior was redesigned in part, in a more sober style with a new dashboard, new seats and a new steering wheel.
One of the latest evolutions of the Mondial was Valeo, equipped with an innovative electronic clutch gearbox (then absent pedal) that allowed you to change gears without any pressure or presence of the clutch. This change can be said was’ the test of the next F1 gearbox
Ferrari decided to export a few Mondial T. There are about 43 copies in the United States, where the coupe became very rare and expensive for several years following the death of Enzo Ferrari. One of the latest T coupe appears in an elegant and beautiful black color in the video transmission Motorweek test.
Production ceased definitively in 1993. The T can be considered one of the greatest success for Ferrari, so it remained in production for about 12 years, supporting not only the Ferrari with the excellent worldwide sales, but lends itself to test for all the technical solutions adopted in the 80s and 90s on parallel models and later. With the Mondial Ferrari ended the production of “2 +2” with a V8 engine. It can be considered his heir the 456 GT, but equipped with a more classic (for the production Ferrari) front-mounted V12. In fact, the 456 GT was the most direct descendant of the 412, exit list a few years before. More like the Mondial you may consider California in 2008.
To emphasize the excellent performance and road holding of the car, in 1989, 2 specimens processed Mondial 3.2 to 340hp Moneytron were used by the team for the 24 Hours of Spa Le Mondial 2 were led by Bertrand Gachot, Harald Huysman and Keke Rosberg.
158340