Ferrari F355: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Ferrari F355 catalogue data presents one generation, produced from 1994 to 1999 as a Cabrio, with four listed versions. The choice is therefore not between generations, engines, or power outputs: every entry uses the same 3.5-litre Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, producing 380 hp and 363 Nm.
The Ferrari F355 catalogue data presents one generation, produced from 1994 to 1999 as a Cabrio, with four listed versions. The choice is therefore not between generations, engines, or power outputs: every entry uses the same 3.5-litre Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, producing 380 hp and 363 Nm. The meaningful distinctions are the 6-speed Manual or 6-speed Automatic gearbox and whether fuel-consumption figures were measured for the listed version. Because no prices are provided, it is not possible to say what either transmission costs or whether one offers better value for money.
Ferrari F355 generations and versions
The Ferrari F355 has one generation in the supplied catalogue. The 1 generation ran from 1994 to 1999, has a Cabrio body, and contains four entries: two named 3.5 AT and two named 3.5 MT. There is no second generation or restyling in the data, so there is no generation-to-generation change to compare. All four entries share the same production period and core specifications.
The duplicate names cannot be separated by power because both 3.5 AT entries produce 380 hp, while both 3.5 MT entries also produce 380 hp. Their measurable distinction is data coverage: one 3.5 AT and one 3.5 MT have recorded consumption, while the other pair have consumption listed as not measured. The rear-brake descriptions also differ between those duplicate records.
Ferrari F355 engine and specs comparison
All versions have a 3495 cc Gasoline engine with 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 5 valves per cylinder, distributed injection (multi-point), and no boost. Output is 380 hp at 8250 rpm and 363 Nm at 6000 rpm. That equals approximately 108.7 hp per litre. With a kerb weight of 1450 kg, every version carries approximately 3.82 kg per horsepower.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 AT — consumption not measured | 380 hp | 363 Nm | 3495 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 3.5 MT — consumption not measured | 380 hp | 363 Nm | 3495 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| 3.5 MT — measured consumption | 380 hp | 363 Nm | 3495 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| 3.5 AT — measured consumption | 380 hp | 363 Nm | 3495 cc | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
The transmission is the only mechanical choice shown consistently across the four entries. Selecting 3.5 MT changes the gearbox from Automatic to Manual but adds no power or torque. Selecting 3.5 AT changes the gearbox from Manual to Automatic but produces the same 380 hp and 363 Nm. Both have 6 gears and RWD.
Ferrari F355 performance and fuel economy
The catalogue gives identical performance for every 3.5 AT and 3.5 MT entry: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds, and maximum speed is 295 km/h. The available figures therefore show no straight-line performance advantage for either gearbox.
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 AT — consumption not measured | 4.7 sec | 295 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.5 MT — consumption not measured | 4.7 sec | 295 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.5 MT — measured consumption | 4.7 sec | 295 km/h | 24.5 l/100 km | 11.5 l/100 km | 15.3 l/100 km |
| 3.5 AT — measured consumption | 4.7 sec | 295 km/h | 24.5 l/100 km | 11.5 l/100 km | 15.3 l/100 km |
Where consumption was measured, 3.5 AT and 3.5 MT return exactly the same values: 24.5 l/100 km in the city, 11.5 l/100 km on the highway, and 15.3 l/100 km combined. City consumption is 13.0 l/100 km higher than highway consumption. The records without figures should not be interpreted as more or less economical; their consumption is simply not measured.
CO2 emissions and environmental class are not measured for any listed version. All entries specify fuel grade 95 and an 82-litre tank.
Ferrari F355 dimensions, weight, and wheels
The supplied data does not provide exterior length, width, or height, so each of those dimensions is not measured. It does provide identical weight and chassis-related measurements for all four versions.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 AT — consumption not measured | 1450 kg | 1700 kg | 109 mm | 82 l | 225/40 R18, 265/40 R18 |
| 3.5 MT — consumption not measured | 1450 kg | 1700 kg | 109 mm | 82 l | 225/40 R18, 265/40 R18 |
| 3.5 MT — measured consumption | 1450 kg | 1700 kg | 109 mm | 82 l | 225/40 R18, 265/40 R18 |
| 3.5 AT — measured consumption | 1450 kg | 1700 kg | 109 mm | 82 l | 225/40 R18, 265/40 R18 |
Gross weight exceeds kerb weight by 250 kg in every entry. Both axles use Independent, spring suspension, and the front brakes are Ventilated disc units throughout. The database describes rear brakes as Disc on one 3.5 AT and one 3.5 MT, but as Drum on the other 3.5 AT and 3.5 MT. This discrepancy should be checked against the individual car rather than inferred from its gearbox or version name.
Which Ferrari F355 version should you buy?
Choose 3.5 MT if the Manual gearbox is the deciding requirement. It retains the full 380 hp and 363 Nm, the 4.7-second 0–100 km/h time, and the 295 km/h maximum speed. According to the supplied numbers, choosing Manual involves no sacrifice in output, acceleration, maximum speed, weight, clearance, tank capacity, or wheel sizes.
Choose 3.5 AT if the Automatic gearbox is the deciding requirement. It also has 380 hp, 363 Nm, 4.7-second acceleration to 100 km/h, and a 295 km/h maximum speed. The data shows no performance, economy, or weight penalty relative to the equivalent 3.5 MT entry.
Between duplicate entries, the 3.5 MT and 3.5 AT records with measured consumption are more informative catalogue choices because they provide city, highway, and combined figures. They are not proven to be more economical: the other entries have no measurements with which to make that comparison. Likewise, the conflicting rear-brake descriptions prevent a dependable brake-based recommendation without verification.
There is no numerically superior all-round version in this dataset. Every entry delivers about 108.7 hp per litre and approximately 3.82 kg per horsepower, while all recorded performance, weight, chassis, and economy figures are equal. The defensible buying decision is therefore simple: pick 3.5 MT for Manual or 3.5 AT for Automatic, then verify which duplicate specification record applies to the particular car. Reliability and problems are not measured in the supplied data, so neither version can be recommended over the other on those grounds.