Introduced in 1985, this model was the final and most polished evolution of Ferrari’s long-running mid-engined V8 berlinetta formula that had begun with the 308. It was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a revised successor rather than a clean-sheet redesign, and it represented the last chapter of the transverse, naturally aspirated two-seat V8 series before the arrival of the next-generation car in 1989.
The car’s identity came from refinement. Ferrari softened the wedge-shaped look of its predecessor, giving the body cleaner, more integrated bumpers, a reshaped nose, and a rounder tail while retaining the compact, classic proportions that made the earlier car so recognizable. The interior was also updated with a more ergonomic layout and a more driver-focused atmosphere. In Ferrari history, it is often remembered as the point where the original formula reached its mature form: visually tidier, more usable, and more accomplished without abandoning the character that had made the line successful.
As a fixed-roof berlinetta, it appealed to buyers who wanted the sharper, more traditional coupé body style in the marque’s V8 range. It also holds an important place in the Ferrari story because it marked the end of the 308-derived era and the closing development of the transverse V8 two-seater lineage. The succeeding 348 introduced a new generation of V8 berlinetta design, making this model the last of a distinct and highly admired family. Among enthusiasts, it is valued as the most refined expression of the classic 308/328 concept and as a bridge between Ferrari’s analog 1980s sports cars and the more modern V8 cars that followed.