Top Ten Supercars of Last Decade – Ferrari 360 Modena
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 21 August 2008
Having performed the ultimate car-dinal sin and claimed ownership of a Subura Impreza at an age when MT should have known better, we appreciated that we collected more glances of utter disbelief and vexation whilst driving around our ‘manor’ than undiluted envy.Perhaps because the ‘Scoob had such a ferocious hue of red paintwork that it out-schemed the 5” exhaust that played havoc with our neighbours at silly o’clock in the morning, that had conspired against our social acceptance. Or maybe it was just because there was a draughts board marked out on the roof that such resistance was invited.The enormously-proportioned bonnet scoop didn’t aid our cause, but like a sixth former caught smoking behind the bike sheds, our attitude barely raised itself above the threshold of ‘whatever’ when hauled over the disciplinary coals.It’s not that we set out to provoke reaction; we simply wish to enjoy the fruits of our editorial labours and enjoy the cars. Much like Ferrari drivers do – yet with less objects and expletives hurled in the general direction of – yet likewise, they too seem to court all manner of response, normally from envy, to jealousy and back to envy again.And that human emotional flaw is exposed no more than when confronted with a Ferrari 360 Modena. A superstar supercar that wings its way into clear view on day six, bracing itself for phlegm, rotten fruit and mobile phones. And anything else that rain down on opposition Italian footballers in the land from whence the Modena hails.
Ferrari 360 Modena
Cost: Circa £60K (last of new models in 2005 cost £105K+)Speed: 186mph+Claim to fame: Named after the Italian birthplace of Ferrari's founder, Enzo Ferrari.Why it gets our thumbs up: A unique version - the 360 Barchetta - was presented to Ferrari head honcho - Luca di Montezemolo – as a wedding gift, ensuring horse's heads would never turn up in engineer’s beds.A top ten supercar list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of a prancing horse, but we've gone looking for a less well-known example, avoiding the common imagery of the Scuderia, Testarossa, and everything else fundamentally red.This mid-engined two-seater - lovingly bolted together between 1999 and 2005, and top trumping the un-shabby 355 - was itself usurped by the Ferrari F430. Pininfarina body styling softened Ferrari’s more angular posture, as well as doing away with pop up headlamps.Also new was the 3.6-litre V8 engine that signposted 62mph in just 4.4 seconds. With a six-speed DIY gearbox as standard, F1 style steering wheel-mounted flappy paddle was a Brucie Bonus in the Challenge Stradale variant.Seven versions of the basic mid-engined, rear-wheel-driven 360 were produced, three road models – Modena, Challenge Stradale and Spider - and three race versions.In proper track car colours, the 360 played its part in motorsport endurance races during its lifecycle, although never really getting the better of its arch rival the Porsche 911 at Le Mans 24hr though.• View the full Top 10 Supercars of Last Decade articles: • Bugatti Veyron • Morgan Roadster • Lamborghini Reventon • TVR Sagaris • Nissan GT-R • Ferrari 360 Modena • Porsche 996 GT3
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