Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is famous for saying that the company’s cars are like beautiful women–and to a certain extent, they are, but the back end on this car does not appeal to everyone.
The rear on the California is big so to hide all the mechanical and hydraulic bits needed to allow for the car’s folding hardtop. The California is trying to be the best of both worlds, a coupe and a convertible so compromises had to be made.
The California’s profile may not be to everyone’s liking, it is, and make no mistake about it, still a Ferrari. This is a slightly different kind of Ferrari, appealing to a different Ferrari customer. This is not a car meant for a race track, and its 2+ layout (say two-plus) means there’s a backseat with seatbelts. If you prefer, the car can be made with just a parcel shelf. It’s not a 2+2, because the rear seats will hold a small child at best. But the seats fold down and allow for carrying luggage or golf clubs, or groceries for that matter. Ferrari California project manager Vittorio Dini said many times that the goal of the car was “versatility.” Again, trying to be all things to everyone. Well, everyone with some deep pockets.
This is the first Ferrari GT with a mid-front V8, and it’s loaded with some of the company’s latest technology. The 4.3 liter V8 is the first with direct fuel injection and it makes 460hp, 358lb-ft of torque and will go from 0-62mph in less than four seconds. Top speed is limited to 193mph. The engine is similar in displacement to the F430, but has a larger bore and shorter stroke. Redline is 8,000rpm, a bit lower than that of the F430. The combined fuel consumption is 21.6 mpg and the CO2 emmissions is 305.6g/km.
The California also is the first Ferrari with a dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission in Ferrari’s traditional transaxle system. The Getrag-sourced unit is the only option available.
Standard are ceramic brakes all around with six-piston calipers up front. From 62mph, it takes less than 112 feet to stop. The car comes with 19-inch wheels and tires, but 20-inchers are available.
One of the keys to the car’s performance is the excellent power-to-weight ratio. At 3,575 pounds, the ratio is 7.7 pounds per horsepower, which is 107hp per liter of displacement.
The shape of the California also was determined by how efficient it slips through the air. A one-third-scale model spent more than 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel helping reduce the car’s drag coefficient to 0.32, the best Ferrari ever.
As with the F430, the California is equipped with a “manettino” to control the traction control and suspension settings, if the car is so equipped. There are three positions: comfort, sport and traction control off.
While U.S. prices were not released, the European price is approximately at 180,000 euros, or about $231,500 at current exchange rates.
Ferrari will produce 10 to 12 Californias per day when fully running on a brand-new assembly line built in Maranello, with the first cars scheduled for delivery in February or March. U.S. deliveries will begin in June.
If your name isn’t on the waiting list yet, you can’t take delivery until 2011 because the first two years of U.S. allocation-roughly 800 cars-have been spoken for.
Source: autoweek.com and motortrend.com
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