The Ferrari Mondial came out in 1980 as a direct replacement for the Ferrari 208/308, better known as Dino. And while both the Dino and the Mondial were very special Ferraris indeed, Ferrari enthusiasts always disregarded both, mainly because they were not true supercars. Nobody could blame them as the two models had a very small V8 engine, and some versions of the Mondial had as little as 215 horsepower. That's at a time when you could buy a sedan with nearly 300. What that means is that the Mondial is really a high-end sports car, just like the Porsche 911. So, what makes the Mondial so special then. Well, it's the fact that the Mondial is the last mid-engine Ferrari with a 2+2 layout, in other words, four seats. In many ways then, the Mondial is the precursor to the big Ferrari 2+2s we got after the Mondial, and it's partially thanks to Mondial that Ferrari began civilizing its supercars. There is a lot to be thankful for because of the Mondial, but the fact remains that the Mondial is one of the least exciting Ferraris. Still, that means the Mondial Quattrovalvole prices are pretty low making them the easiest Ferraris to afford. At the same time, the Mondial Quattrovalvole horsepower is rated at 240, and that can certainly be fun in a car of its size, especially when that power comes from a small V8. That's why this Mondial Quattrovalvole review will focus on the positive sides of the model.
When the Mondial was first presented to the public, the press was very divided. Some were optimistic because the previous Dino didn't really set the bar too high, and the fact that you could buy a mid-engine Ferrari in which the entire family could fit was thrilling. However, others focused on the fact that the Mondial only had 215 horsepower which could never cut it for a true Ferrari. Ferrari was well aware of the Mondial's drawbacks, and soon after the Mondial was introduced, more power was in store. Only three years later, Ferrari ditched the two-valve cylinder heads, and the Mondial got four valves per cylinder instead, in other words, it got Quattrovalvole. The new cylinder heads boosted power, improved sound, and improved usability. In many ways, the Quattrovalvole is the Mondial to get as the maintenance was just as simple as it was on the two-valve engine, which wasn't the case for later, bigger V8s. So, if everyone bought one, how many Mondial Quattrovalvoles were produced? Ferrari made a total of 1,774 Mondial QVs, of which 1,145 were coupes, and 629 were convertibles. But a more interesting fact is that Ferrari made over 6,000 Mondials in total, making it by far the best-selling Ferrari at the time. And where was the Mondial Quattrovalvole made? The answer is Maranello, alongside the F40 and the Testarossa among other models. Now, let's get to the more technical side of this Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole review.
The Ferrari Mondial isn't exactly what you call fast by today's standards. The Mondial 0-60 time for example is 6.4, or 7.4 0-100 km/h. That means most of the hot hatches from the mid-2000s were noticeably faster than the Mondial, and today, a lot of your average diesel sedans sprint to 100 km/h faster. So, don't go thinking you will blow someone’s mind with the Mondial's performance. Still, a 6.4 seconds to 60 isn't exactly slow either. That kind of performance in such a small, mid-engine car is thrilling, to say the least. In the Mondial, you need to work to get the most out of it which raises the fun factor above virtually all modern hatchbacks, sedans, and even sports cars. That's also thanks to Mondial Quattrovalvole's weight of only 1,430 kg or just over 3,000 lb. That's the same weight as an average diesel hatchback. At the same time, the Mondial Quattrovalvole's top speed is 151 mph which is more than you will ever need on a tight canyon pass, or when traveling long distances. All of that is possible thanks to Mondial Quattrovalvole's horsepower and torque rating of 240 and 191 lb-ft. In the end, the Mondial won't win any races, but it will get you an experience no modern car with similar performance can. If you are looking to buy one, check if any examples are hiding here at Exotic Car Trader.
At first glance, the Mondial Quattrovalvole's interior is nothing to write home about. Everything looks very 80s, even 70s in some places, the switchgear is very simple, very black, and very plastic, and even the gated shifter looks very tame. But your heart will definitely start racing once you see the gauge cluster and that 8K RPM redline next to a 180 mph speedo. Also, the passengers sitting in the back will be happy to know that the rear seats are the same ones found in the front. What's not that fun is the fact that the strut towers and wheel wells eat into the front leg room. Taller drivers will definitely have a problem with that part of Mondial Quattrovalvole's design. Even the pedals are sitting off to the right side because of it which means they don't align with the steering wheel or the seat.
The Mondial Quattrovalvole exterior is largely different between the US and European market examples. Back then, all European cars sold in the US had to have specific bumpers for pedestrian safety which usually meant manufacturers would just slab the ugliest piece of plastic on both ends of the car. And that's the case with the Mondial as well. The US market Mondial is still a very good-looking car, but it looks more like a high-end Alfa Romeo, while the European models get body painted, sculpted bumpers that look way ahead of their time. Still, the Mondial Quattrovalvole design had a lot of redeeming qualities even in the US models. The slats on the hood, for example, are a detail you won't find on any other car, and it looks absolutely amazing. The side intakes with horizontal slats remind of the Testarossa, although in the Mondial they are much more conservative. And the read is a classic Ferrari with quad tail lights and quad exhausts to tie everything together. Another interesting thing is that the Mondial has some of the thinnest roof pillars which means the visibility in this supercar is better than in any modern car regardless of body type. Driving the Mondial inside big cities won't be nearly as scary as it can be with supercars.
The Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole technology is by all means pretty basic, at least when compared to modern cars. But when compared to cars of its time, the Mondial has one of the most advanced engines ever. That's in part thanks to electronic fuel injection with one injector per cylinder. In 1983, that technology was still in its infancy making the Mondial one of the first production cars to get it. And that's not a small achievement considering that EFI is a fuel system that virtually all cars used later, and a lot of them still use it today. The Mondial also has the same combustion chamber design as early F1 cars which improves heat dissipation and flow efficiency. Other than that, a DOHC V8 with four valves per cylinder was also fairly advanced at the time as there was only a handful of V8s that had the same layout. But at the end of the day, the Mondial is as simple as cars get today, although every part of it is engineered to perfection.
The Ferrari Mondial is among the cheapest Ferraris you can buy, and it has been that way for the past decade or so. That's in part thanks to the fact the Mondial is underpowered, and also the fact that its early 80s design doesn't look all that exciting today. The Mondial might even resemble a kit car to an untrained eye, and who wants that after buying a Ferrari. So, how much is a Mondial Quattrovalvole worth. The prices of the Mondial QV have begun rising somewhat in the past few years so now is the time to buy one. The average price a Mondial QV goes for is right around $35,000 but you can often find them for well under $30,000. Some examples might reach $40,000 or $50,000 but that's very rare and the example has to be in mint condition. As for Mondial Quattrovalvole trim levels, there really aren't any besides an option of a coupe and a convertible. But the average price is the same for both so it's down to personal preference. Once you decide which of the two you want, you can check Exotic Car Trader to see if there are any Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvoles for sale.
In the end, the Ferrari Mondial's price, layout, and performance mean it isn't a car for someone who will keep it as a garage princess. Instead, the Mondial should be treated more like a Porsche 911 instead of a full-blooded supercar. That means the owner should take care of it, but also drive it like it's meant to be driven, and get the most out of it. There are very few Ferraris that you can do that with without worrying too much, which makes the Mondial that much more special. If you are looking to buy or sell your Mondial or any other model for that matter, Exotic Car Trader will help you with every step of the process. Be it sourcing a car, negotiating with potential customers, or even solving the logistics part of a deal. Hopefully, this Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole review created a new perspective on one of the most hated Ferrari models ever. The ultimate point is that the Mondial is for people who want to drive a car without any consequences instead of buying it just to feel special.
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