The 1957 Ferrari 315 S was meant to replace the 290 MM and dethrone the formidable Maserati 450S. Its revised Jano V12 with four chain-driven camshafts displaced 3783 cm³ and produced 360 PS. At the 1957 Mille Miglia, the 315 S swept the top two spots: Piero Taruffi won in his final race ahead of Wolfgang von Trips. It was later largely superseded by the 335 S, and the 3-liter displacement limit introduced for 1958 made the 250 Testa Rossa its successor.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Learn moreThe engine · Three chassis · Behind the wheel
The engine
Mounted up front in the 315 S was an evolution of Jano's 60-degree V12 with two valves per cylinder, six Weber 42 DCN carburetors, and four chain-driven overhead camshafts. Displacement was 3783.40 cm³, with an output of 360 PS at 7800/min. The engine was 9 kg lighter than its predecessor, and top speed was estimated at 290 km/h. Test driver Martino Severi actually reached 290 km/h during straight-line testing.
Three chassis
Only one car was built new as a 315 S; two were created through conversions. Chassis 0656 began as a 290 S in Buenos Aires, was converted to a 315 S for the Nürburgring in May, and was later repaired with pontoon fenders for use in the US. 0674 was a 1956 290 MM, renumbered for Sebring and upgraded to a 335 S in June 1957 for Le Mans. 0684 was built new as a 315 S, raced twice for the factory, and after a brief US racing stint was kept in storage for years before receiving a meticulous restoration.
Behind the wheel
Even top drivers were caught off guard by the power. Taruffi recounted that the speed rose to over 200 km/h on any straight of 200 to 300 meters. Even in second gear, the wheels would spin at 140 to 150 km/h, and in the wet at 200 km/h in fourth gear, a tap on the throttle was enough to break traction. At Le Mans, the 315 S cars were clocked at 266.1 km/h on the Mulsanne Straight.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 315 S
When was the Ferrari 315 S raced?
The Ferrari 315 S was raced in 1957.
How much power does the Ferrari 315 S have?
Power of the Ferrari 315 S: 360 PS.
What engine does the Ferrari 315 S have?
Engine of the Ferrari 315 S: 3783 cm³ Tipo 140 Jano V12. It is mounted at the front.
How fast is the Ferrari 315 S?
Top speed of the Ferrari 315 S: 290 km/h.
How many Ferrari 315 S were built?
3 units of the Ferrari 315 S were built.
Who engineered the Ferrari 315 S?
Engineering of the Ferrari 315 S: Carrozzeria Scaglietti.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 315 S?
Predecessor: Ferrari 290 S. Successor: Ferrari 335 S.