I found this picture of a 348 prototype. It has a testarossa-like front and still uses the ABS-type wheels of a Monidal T. In my opinion it looks a pretty "balanced" design. What do you people think about it? Joop van der Meer
oh, and for the suspicious minds: there's no "photoshopping" involved: it is a genuine photo. Joop van der Meer
Not too crazy about the front-end, nor the small black mirrors (although they probably obscure the view through the windshield less than the big "flying" mirrors on my car), but I actually prefer these wheels to the ones that made their way onto the production 348s. Interesting . . .
I have this picture in my books as well. I like it as well. I agree that it looks a bit more balanced and less angry than the final 348 given by the angular wheels. With the new ABS offsets (as in the late Mondials and 328s) that prevented the traditional concave Ferrari deep dish wheels, they were looking around for a look that was still Ferrari. I actually think had they stretched this design for a new Mondial, that would have been popular.
Interesting picture! But I'm glad that the final version didn't have the nose of the prototype, which is almost equal to that of a Testarossa ... but still interesting to see!
I think it would have been silly to put a full-width grille onto the 348, having no radiator in the front. They did a good job giving the 348 its own identity. Here is another prototype picture.
