The Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car that was launched by Ferrari at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It is a two door "2+2" hard top convertible. The California is powered by front-mid mounted gasoline direct injection 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8, sending a claimed 460 CV (340 kW; 450 hp) to the rear wheels. The car revives the "California" name used for the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT.

Concept

The California represents a number of firsts for Ferrari:

  • The first front engined Ferrari with a V8
  • The first to feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission
  • The first with a folding metal roof
  • The first with multi-link rear suspension
  • The first with direct petrol injection.

According to some sources originally started as a concept for a new Maserati, the resulting expense to produce the car needed the Ferrari badge to justify the ideal return on the investment. The California represents a new, fourth model range for the company.

Production

The California will be built in a new production line adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello. The existing production line produces 27 cars per day, or 6,000 per annum. Ferrari plans to produce 5,000 Californias in the first two years of production, thereby increasing Ferrari production by 50% with introduction of the model. The model, according to many motoring magazines, is sold out until 2012. The California will be the last Ferrari offered with a manual gearbox, for Ferrari plans to phase out the manual gearbox in favor of the dual clutch gearbox in all new models.

Performance

The California has a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) and it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) under 4 seconds. Although 285 kilograms (628 lb) heavier and 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) less powerful than the mid-engined F430, the California reaches 60 mph (97 km/h) in the same time as the F430 due to the dual-clutch transmission.

Aerodynamics

Ferrari spent over 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel with a one-third-scale model of the California perfecting its aerodynamics. With the top up, the California has a drag coefficient of 0.32, making it the most aerodynamic Ferrari ever made.

 
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