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Ferrari Cars ›› Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer ›› Structure
Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer Structure
In normal Ferrari practice, the Boxer's chassis is primarily formed from steel tubes. Unusually, the tubes were a mixture of round- and square-section, depending on the needs of the chassis at a given point. The cabin formed a semi-monocoque with tube sub-frames at the front and rear to mount the drivetrain and suspension. The floor and other stress-bearing interior panels were made of aluminum or galvanized steel sandwiched within fibreglass; a virtually non-corrodable combination. The body was likewise formed from galvanized steel, fibreglass, and alloys where appropriate.
Pininfarina was daring in the use of a rear-hinged rear deck. Access to the engine and drivetrain was aided by the fact that the entire rear body of the car opened, while the car's bonnet lid, which comprised much of the fore-section, lifted forward in clamshell fashion. The Boxer was a rigid, strong car offering a combination of superb handling and secure comfort. One advantage of a 'boxer' engine was that it can be mounted very low in a chassis. The unusual design of the transmission, beneath the engine, raised the centre of gravity but allowed for both a smaller car and a spacious cabin. The combination engine-transmission was a singularly compact mass that could be exactly placed within its chassis. Weight distribution is a nearly ideal and easily controlled 43-57, with the bias to the rear. The 512 BB and BBi have a slightly different front-rear weight distribution of 40-60. The otherwise unaltered suspension was retuned to balance this change.
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