Ferrari California: Exotic Italian Drop Top

By Feann Torr - 14/May/2008

Maranello, Italy — We've been teased, we've been tantalised, and now we can reveal the first official photos and data on Ferrari's all new model.

Ladies and gents, meet the Ferrari California.

The undeniably attractive new Ferrari is the first vehicle wearing the Prancing Horse badge to feature a metal folding roof.

Ferrari also owns the rights to the name Ferrari F430 GT California, which could be the full name of the vehicle when it is officially launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in September.

The design befits the famous Italian car maker's heritage, with a flowing, aerodynamic design with a few more retro design cues than most modern Ferrari models.

According to the exotic car maker, "The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever."

Vertically stacked exhaust pipes are a nice visual touch at the rear of the vehicles, as are the gills behind the front wheels. When this thing fires past, it won't be mistaken for anything but a Ferrari.

Muscular rear haunches give the rear-wheel drive sports car a performance grounding, while the headlights and brake lights draw inspiration from the big-daddy Ferrari, the 12-cylinder 599 GTB Fiorano.

The slim bonnet scoop and classic grille design provide the vehicle with an intriguingly mature air, and that scoop is not just for show either.

As we predicted, the folding metal roof takes up much of the space at the rear of the car so a mid-mounted engine was out of the question. As such, the Ferrari California - which will only be available as a convertible - gets a front-mounted V8 which is fed extra air via the bonnet inlet.

The engine is lifted from the Ferrari F430 which we road tested back in late 2006, a 4.3-litre V8 with direct petrol injection.

Technically speaking the engine is mounted in the mid-front position, slightly aft of the front axle, in order to improve the car's balance.

The Italian exotic car maker has confirmed that the screaming V8 engine will output 343kW of power (460hp) @ 7500rpm, which is less power at lower revs than the Ferrari F430.

Still, it should be enough power to make sure everyone on the street knows you're driving an exotic sports car, especially if the exhaust note is anything like the F430's.

However, while power has taken a dip, torque is likely to have increased and with a more accessible powerband the new Ferrari will be more driver friendly than the F430. 

Think of it as Ferrari's trendy V8 cruiser, rather than an out-and-out race track model.

While the engine has less power than the F430 and the car's weight is expected to have increased as well, it will retain a similar 0-100km/h acceleration time to its V8 brethren thanks to a fancy new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. 

Ferrari says the California convertible will hit 60mph (96km/h) in under 4.0 seconds which is pretty freaking quick, so expect a zero to 100km/h dash in around 4.0 seconds flat.

Better yet is the introduction of the F1-Trac traction control system, which made its debut on in the Ferrari 599 GTB. It uses advanced computer software to monitor the car's wheel speed and grip on the run, in turn providing a more seamless traction control intervention.

In other words, you probably won't even know the Ferrari California is subtly applying stability control as you fish-tail out of a tight hairpin for example.

New rear suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes will also pique the interest of Ferrari collectors, as will a new instrument panel, infotainment system, and obligatory beige leather sports seats.

Based on the same platform as the Maserati GranTurismo, the new Ferrari California creates one of Ferrari's largest ever line-ups.

The new design is ultra-sexy - and we haven't even seen it with the roof closed yet! The California brings Ferrari into a new era and is a promising sign of things to come from the Italian sports car company.

Stay tuned for more info on the Ferrari California in the coming months.

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