The Ferrari Mondial 8, the Prancing Horse’s first attempt at a global grand tourer, took the 3.0-liter V8 engine and chassis of the 308GT4 and stretched them for more space. It retained the five-speed transaxle and independent suspension for a comfortable yet sporty ride. While some found it less aggressive than other Ferraris, the Mondial still broke the 225 km/h barrier and excelled on long journeys.
This Pininfarina-designed 2+2 seater offered more room than previous Ferraris, earning the title of “the closest you’ll get to supercar family transport” from Car magazine. The Mondial evolved over time, gaining a proper Cabriolet option, a more powerful “quattrovalvole” (four-valve) engine in 1982, and a displacement increase to 3.2 liters in 1985.
But Ferrari wasn’t done yet. By 1989, the Mondial received another engine upgrade to 3.4 liters. This powerhouse channeled its 300 bhp through a transverse five-speed gearbox, benefiting from Ferrari’s Formula 1 experience with this layout. The Mondial t also debuted two Ferrari firsts: power steering and driver-controlled ride adjustment. Standard features included anti-lock brakes and air conditioning, making it a luxurious and technologically advanced grand tourer.
Photos by Ryan Merrill courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
