The 408 4RM was a 1987 prototype and the first Ferrari with all-wheel drive. The name is a code: 40 stands for 4.0 liters of displacement, 8 for the cylinders, and 4RM for "4 Ruote Motrici," meaning four driven wheels. The project was led by Mauro Forghieri; the hydraulic all-wheel-drive system distributed 29 percent of the torque to the front and 71 percent to the rear. In 1991, Ferrari deemed the system unsuitable because it added 200 kg to the car's weight. Only the FF of 2011 brought an all-wheel-drive Ferrari back, this time in series production.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Learn moreAll-wheel-drive system · Body and chassis · Engine · The two prototypes
All-wheel-drive system
The hydraulic all-wheel-drive system was an in-house Ferrari development: a center differential was paired with a hydraulic clutch, driving the front and rear differentials via shafts. The newer system in the 2011 FF is also named "4RM" and is regarded as technically more advanced and lighter; whether it carried over concepts from the 408 remains unclear.
Body and chassis
The bodywork was made of composite materials, and the front bulkhead was cast in magnesium. The suspension featured double wishbones all around with identical uprights and wishbones at all four corners. Hydraulic cylinders allowed the ride height to be adjusted automatically or manually. In the wind tunnel, the car achieved a drag coefficient of 0.274 at its lowest suspension setting.
Engine
The 90° V8 was mounted longitudinally in the rear, producing 221 kW at 6250 rpm and 373 Nm at 4500 rpm. It featured four valves per cylinder, dual overhead camshafts, Weber-Marelli fuel injection, and dry-sump lubrication with a compression ratio of 9.8:1; bore and stroke measured 93 mm and 73.6 mm. To accommodate the 5-speed gearbox, it was mounted slightly offset to the right.
The two prototypes
The first car, painted red, was completed in June 1987. Its welded chassis was constructed from folded stainless steel sheets rather than stamped panels. The second was yellow and featured an adhesively bonded aluminum chassis developed jointly with Alcan. It was finished later and is displayed today at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 408 4RM
When was the Ferrari 408 4RM built?
The Ferrari 408 4RM was built from 1987 to 1988.
How much power does the Ferrari 408 4RM have?
Power of the Ferrari 408 4RM: 221 kW.
What engine does the Ferrari 408 4RM have?
Engine of the Ferrari 408 4RM: 4.0 l (4000 cm³) Tipo F117 DOHC V8. It sits behind the seats as a mid-engine.
How many Ferrari 408 4RM were built?
2 units of the Ferrari 408 4RM were built.