European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday August 23, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 13car Corne order now take delivery in 1996 its a Long wait for a Ferrari 348 by Paul Dean los Angeles times Ferrari builds motor cars in much the same Way Claude Monet painted landscapes not to please the populace but More to satisfy self a technique and a coterie. Mellowed by mystique and myth living very High off racing legends its reputation secured by a product appreciate sort rate close to that of impressionist Art Ferrari sees no need to advertise its cars. Nor docs this italian company have a Public relations representative in the United states. This year is two thirds into history yet Ferrari is just getting around to introducing its 348 series sports car that was built and shown to the european Public last year. It will still Cost $103,400. Without a radio. Without a spare. All of which supports a saes and marketing rationale that seems to be this simply getting a Ferrari is the Best Deal a buyer can make. Ferrari Sells everything it makes and May very Well have been Back ordered since 1949. A a barely used Ferrari Testagrossa currently costs $ 100,000 More than a new Tes Varossa. Because All new test Rossas have been sold out for the next few years. A a really used Ferrari a a 250 to race car built in 1962 a recently was bought by a japanese collector for $14.6 million. Pm should find such profit in sell ing 28-year-old cars. A now the 1989-cum-1990 Ferrari 348ls is dribbling into Southern California showrooms. Said one sales representative order your Ferrari 348 now. Pick it up some time after memorial Day. That a memorial Day 1996. An obvious question is there anything in this world Worth a six year wait yes. A Ferrari 348ts. And not because it is an outrageously expensive car a known quickened of pulses and envy. Nor because magnum . Made it a virility height Ner. But simply because a Ferrari is the Best at what it was designed to do. Forget Cost and image. Consider Only purpose craftsmanship and inexorable  like no other motorcar assumes its place among the pure by being constructed around the Lusty essence of a thinly disguised sports racing car. In the United states the new Ferrari 348 sports car shown Here costs $103,400 but there a no shortage of buyers.  photo or As Enzo Ferrari explained before his death in 1988 a the Ferrari was bom with racing and with racing it progressed and developed. Can the automobile deny its origins 1 done to think  and the urgent Pedigree of the new 348 a from the first ripping snort of its 290-horsepower engine to the initial tug of Broad tires biting like pit bulls a remains an instantaneous suggestion to motor somewhere in a secure but horrendous hurry. Preferably beneath a helmet. Ferrari a 348ts and 348tb for Transfer Sale spider or Targa and transversal a Burli Netta or Coupe replace the enormously successful 308-328 series. They were handsome powerful fast and desirable. Yet not an impossible act to follow. Ferrari simply has crafted a successor that is better looking stronger faster and thoroughly irresistible. Styling naturally is by Pini Farina and sculptured heavily from aluminium and composites. It is a grand softening of the 308-328�?Ts Swo pier lines and sharper edges retaining enough of the old to satisfy those thinking of moving up but adding touches of today for anyone intent on purchasing a Milestone of the�?T90s. The Testa Rossau a air intakes that feed left and right Side radiators have been transferred to the 348. But they Are smaller and less obtrusive than the Testa Rossau a. The 348 runs on 17-Inch wheels compared to 16-Inchcre on the 328and it is taller and wider and has a longer wheelbase than the 328. Overhangs arc Shorter which further increases that Crouch with the whole appearing blunter More purposeful. Bore and stroke of Ferrari a a 32-Valvc v-8 engine have been increased with displacement also increasing a from 3.1 to 3.4 liners. Changes in lubrication electronic engine management and the design and layout of intake manifolds Combine to increase Power from 260 horsepower to 290. The 348 remains a mid eng inc car with the engine mounted longitudinally and that allows More room for improvements. A new Gearbox and transmission actually a carry Over from a Ferrari formula i racing car is now mounted behind the engine instead of beneath it. So the entire Power Section has been lowered to reduce the cards Center of Gravity by about 2 inches. Ergo flatter handling and better steering response. Race cars do not come with cruise control automatic transmission and Power steering. These Are conveniences for car travel shared with sightseeing and chatty relatives a outright impediments to any bonding of Driver machine Speed and the Road. The classic Ferrari 328 series its Model shown Here bowed out last year to the new 348 Model.  by a so the 348�?Ts fixings and Interior Are quintessential Ferrari a unfilled All purpose and with Basic geometry everywhere. Hence a Plain rectangular Hood Lor instruments made Stark by fio Rescena Orange numbers and Needles on Black dials. Also no radio. But the car is wired for one should you Ever prefer Ottmar Lieb crts a Nouveau flamenco Over the burbling snarl of Ferrari a four tailpipes. Punch the Brake and the accelerator is right there where it has been since the Dawn of crash gear boxes a flush and Only an Inch to one Side of the Brake pedal. Perfect for rolling the foot and Sweet Heel and toe shifting Tor moments when the Road is empty the Corner is a clean sweep and the ghost of driving legend Alberto Ascari whispers to some of us. A Ferrari makes demands. It can even be an intimidating drive. The brakes Are firm and not for the Feather footed or High of Heel. Gears Are Given up smoothly Only when the moment the engine the clutch and shift arc in concert. But finding that moment being the conductor of a coordinated downshift earning some respect from a bin Chamik machine that rises above the Best of our Ahil tics. A there a the Defiance but also the satisfaction of Ferrari. The car is Loyal predictable balanced and an absolute rocket on velcro. Yet it can also be driven slowly and daily. It will not lug at Low speeds in High gear or chug in freeway crawls. And the suspension will jiggle no love handles. Still the 348 much prefers to play hard to be wound up tight through the gears to where it sings Alto and looks around for some Mercedes or 3 x Zyx to entice. But enough of such rhapsody zing. The Ferrari 348 has trunk space so minimal so misshapen it can Only be used fully by factory supplied fitted Luggage. Minor repair Bills Are usually four figure affairs. Anti lock brakes Are Standard but an air bag Isnit even an option. _ the Ferrari a roman nose is about 5 inches off the ground so even gentle driveways create much grazing of the cards Chin and greater gritting of the owners Teeth. It is expensive impractical As a commuter car arrogant Down to us $1,300 Gas guzzler tax and most certainly is a 170-Mph anachronism in a 65-Mph six piety. So arrogant in fact the company is delivering new 348s with 1989 construction dates to avoid compliance with . Passive restraint requirements for 1990 models. But Ferrari will make 4,000 cats this car and has resold each one. 3he 4,500 ferraris that will be built next year already a v e customers