Description

The Ferrari F355 F1 Berlinetta, introduced in 1997, was a landmark model in Ferrari history as it was the first road-going Ferrari to feature a Formula One-style paddle-shift transmission. This six-speed electrohydraulic manual gearbox, officially called the “F1” transmission, allowed drivers to change gears using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel without pressing a clutch pedal. The system, developed in collaboration with Ferrari’s racing division, was designed to deliver faster shifts and maintain both hands on the wheel, much like in their Formula One cars of the era.

Mechanically, the F355 F1 Berlinetta was identical to the standard F355 Berlinetta, sharing the 3,495 cc 90-degree V8 with five valves per cylinder, producing 380 horsepower at 8,250 rpm. Equipped with Bosch Motronic engine management and titanium connecting rods, it could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 295 km/h. The character of the car remained defined by its high-revving engine and one of the most celebrated exhaust notes in Ferrari’s history.

Pininfarina’s styling was unchanged from the manual Berlinetta, retaining the elegant wedge profile with smooth aerodynamic lines, pop-up headlights, and prominent side intakes. The flat underbody and rear diffuser enhanced high-speed stability, showcasing aerodynamic advances influenced by Ferrari’s motorsport experience.

Inside, the key visual difference was the absence of the traditional open-gated manual shifter, replaced by a small selector panel for neutral, reverse, and automatic modes, while gear changes were performed exclusively via the steering column paddles. The rest of the cabin was trimmed in the same high-quality leather, with a driver-focused layout, low-slung seating, and improved ergonomics over its predecessor, the 348.

Although the F1 transmission was initially met with curiosity and some skepticism from purists, it represented a major step in Ferrari’s road car technology and foreshadowed the paddle-shift systems that would become standard across the brand’s lineup in the 2000s. The F355 F1 Berlinetta remained in production until 1999 and today is valued both as a groundbreaking model in Ferrari’s evolution and as a bridge between the analog driving feel of the past and the electronic sophistication of the future.