Ferrari 360 Spider Suspension

The 360 Spider has superb road dynamics thanks to a long wheelbase, wide front track, a superb suspension geometry, and electronic control. The car rides on an adjustable suspension with dual aluminum wishbones front and rear. Anti-dive and anti-squat geometries are incorporated front and rear so the car remains level under braking and acceleration. The aluminum dampers, co-designed with Sachs, are equipped with an electronic control unit. All body and wheel movements are thus guided in a process that takes just 0.04 seconds to eliminate any rolling or pitching.

Brakes:

Befitting a high-performance sports car, the 360 Spider's brakes include large 13" diameter vented and cross-drilled discs with sensitive hydraulically actuated two-piston aluminum calipers, controlled by a braking effort proportioning valve and an ABS system that prevents wheel lock-up in deceleration. The large rotors also help maintain a low thermal load, and improve resistance to fading without forced cooling. Although Ferrari engineers placed emphasis on decelerative stability, the 360 Spider stops in record short distances.

ASR:

The traction control of the 360 Spider was developed without affecting the car's sporting characteristics. The integrated Bosch ASR/ABS system offers the driver the choice of three operating modes: "Normal", "Sport", and "Off". Set to "Normal", ASR brakes the driven wheels and modulates engine torque to maintain stability on straights and corners. In "Sport" mode, slip thresholds are higher and, while the system retains control over both brakes and engine on bends, it only controls the brakes on the straight. The limited slip differential functions even with the system switched off.

Steering:

The 360 Spider's rack and pinion steering employs a linear servo, and a pump with two speed-determined flow levels. The driver enjoys a very direct steering ratio of 2.4 inches per turn, enhancing speed and precision. The turning circle is just 35.4 feet, for better low speed manoeuvering.

Wheels:

Wheels and tires have been designed for the Spider with the goals of reducing aquaplaning and steering effort; the results of computer simulations prompted the adoption of smaller front tires (215/45 ZR18) and larger rear tires (275/40 ZR18) mounted on 7.5" and 10" wide wheels respectively. The development tests carried out with Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, and Goodyear, confirmed that the initial choice offered all desired advantages, and the special alloy wheels weigh about 2lbs less than the magnesium wheels of the F355, thanks to stylistic optimization and the new channel technology.