www.QV500.com - Ferrari Mondial Part 1: Mondial 8
 
Intended as a replacement for their controversial Bertone-bodied 308 GT4, the Mondial was Ferrari's second attempt at producing a mid-engined coupe with a 2+2 configuration. Returning to Pininfarina after the decidedly mixed reaction afforded to Bertone's angular GT4, the new model would evolve through four variations and remain in production for over 13 years. There was the 8, the QV, the 3.2 and finally, the t, all bar the 8 having been available in Coupe and Convertible body styles. Indeed, from 1983 until the arrival of the 348 Spider in 1993, Mondial's were the only full convertibles manufactured by Ferrari.
   

Leonardo Fiorovanti (Pininfarina's chief stylist) had requested that as the Mondial frame was going to be based on the outgoing GT4, an extra 100mm be added to the wheelbase in order to provide back-seat occupants with some much-needed extra legroom. Also, the engine and gearbox were mounted onto a separate subframe for easier maintenance. Otherwise, few significant changes were made apart from to US-spec Mondial's that were fitted with additional bracing around the front and rear bumpers to meet ever-tightening safety legislation. Engines were the same 90° V8's used in Ferrari's fuel-injected two-valve 308's (Tipo F106 BB) although the new model did get a slightly different type designation (F106 B). Displacement was 2926cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 81 x 71mm respectively. Compression went unchanged at 8.8:1 but Mondial's did have the distinction of being the first new Ferrari's introduced with fuel injection instead of carbs (Bosch K-Jetronic). Output was 214bhp at 6600rpm although US-bound 8's were well down on power compared to their EU counterparts, this as a result of catalytic converters and other emissions modifications. 205bhp at the same 6600rpm was the inadequate total.
 

After the decidedly mixed reaction from press and public alike with regard to Bertone's styling of the 308 GT4, Ferrari returned to regular designer Pininfarina for the Mondial's bodywork and interior. But they encountered the same old problems as Bertone had done, the intrinsically flawed mid-engined 2+2 configuration not allowing for enough back seat space without destroying the look of the car from outside. Few of the great designers ever managed it, perhaps the most attractive of all the four-seat junior supercars from the seventies and eighties having been Ital Design's extremely cramped Maserati Tipo 122 Merak.
   
Whilst the Merak's lines were very attractive though, the rear legroom was practically non-existant. Pininfarina had their work cut out from the start then, but they did manage to produce a fairly attractive design considering the constraints they had to work with. Manufactured entirely from steel apart from the aluminium front lid and engine cover, the most arresting features of the new car were chunky black wraparound bumpers that did absolutely nothing to enhance its lines. Other prominent details were distinctive trapezoidal engine cooling vents carved out from just below the rear quarter windows. Inside, the full leather interior was a step up in terms of build quality and design over the outgoing GT4 whilst the extra length put into the wheelbase provided a significant increase in rear legroom. Launched during March 1980 at the Geneva Salon, the Mondial 8 immediately attracted criticism for its underpowered fuel-injected Tipo F106 B engine, further dissatisfaction being directed towards the cars awkward styling. However, the 8 was a commercial success for Ferrari and by the time production came to an end in August 1982 (to make way for the Quattrovalvole), 703 had been completed.