Description

The Ferrari Mondial 8 was introduced in 1980 as the first model in the Mondial series, designed to replace the outgoing Ferrari 308 GT4 as Ferrari’s 2+2 mid-engined V8 offering. Its name, “Mondial,” was chosen to honor Ferrari’s early racing successes, particularly the 500 Mondial of the 1950s, while the “8” referred to its eight-cylinder engine. The Mondial 8 aimed to blend Ferrari performance with greater practicality, offering space for four occupants and a more refined, comfortable interior compared to the brand’s two-seat sports cars.

The design was again handled by Pininfarina, a departure from the 308 GT4’s Bertone styling. The result was a more elegant and elongated shape, with a long wheelbase to accommodate the rear seats, a sharp nose with pop-up headlights, and clean side lines leading to a sloping rear deck. The targa-style roof option would come later with the Mondial Cabriolet; the Mondial 8 was initially only available as a fixed-roof coupe.

Power came from a 2,926 cc 90-degree V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection, producing 214 horsepower in European specification and around 205 horsepower in U.S. versions. While the engine was shared with the contemporary 308 GTBi and GTSi, the Mondial 8’s extra weight and longer gearing meant that performance was more modest, with a top speed of about 230 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h in around 8 seconds. The five-speed manual gearbox, mid-engine layout, and fully independent suspension still ensured balanced handling, but the car was more oriented toward long-distance touring than outright performance.

Inside, the Mondial 8 offered a more spacious and comfortable cabin than most Ferraris of the era. Leather upholstery was standard, and the dashboard featured a more modern, horizontal design with improved ergonomics over the 308 GT4. The rear seats were small but suitable for children or short journeys, enhancing the car’s practicality.

While the Mondial 8’s performance received mixed reviews when new — with some critics expecting sharper acceleration from a Ferrari — it was praised for its stability, comfort, and usability. It also benefited from easier servicing access compared to some other mid-engined Ferraris, making it more appealing to buyers looking for a more everyday-usable model.

Production of the Mondial 8 lasted until 1982, when it was replaced by the more powerful Mondial Quattrovalvole. Today, the Mondial 8 is one of the most affordable entry points into Ferrari ownership, valued for its Pininfarina design, practicality, and role in introducing a new generation of 2+2 mid-engined Ferraris. However, it remains one of the rarer Mondial variants, with only about 703 examples built worldwide.