The Ferrari California Test Report

The California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its inspiration from the spirt, emotions of one of the great Ferrari, of the past, the unforgettable 1957 250 California, a elegant open top car designed for the track, which has come to symbolise superior performance and exclusivity craftsmanship.

The California is a car with the track in its DNA. It is enormously innovative and will more than fulfil the expections of any exprt, offering breathtaking driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel.

In line with tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features. Of course to its retractable hard top which folds fairly conventionally, by stacking the rear windscreen ontop of the roof, where upon sections disappear under the boot cover; but this being Ferrari, it has to do it quicker than everyone else. For most convertibles a time around 20 seconds, not the California just 14 seconds.

This new car joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder range and is the first V8 in the history of Ferrari road cars to be mid-front mounted. Built entirely from aluminium, the engine has a total displacement of 4,300cc and a maximum power output of 460hp/338kW at 7,750rpm. The California takes less than 4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h and delivers a blistering 310km/h top speed. The new V8 features guarantee superb performance, exceptional handing and fuel comsumption with emissions that easily comply with the toughest euro 5 and lev2 standards.

The California's power plant sound was also carefully developed as this is one of the great Ferrari signatures and really does contribute to enhancing driver pleasure; particular attention was lavished on sound perception in the cabin both with the top up and down to ensure that trademark thrill.

The new duel clutch gearbox (7 speed+reverse) with the now traditional steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles. This is an innovative system that guarantees a superb combination of performance and ride comfort and Ferrari is right about the shift: if there is a pause between gears, i could not detect it.

Just to top all; seven times formula 1 World champion Micheal Schumacher has been involved in the development of this latest prancing horse road car, he has worked with team engineers, technicians and test-drivers on developing and optimising its performance.

The Conclusion

It feels quicker by far than its power and weight figures suggest, the engine has a truly split personality, gently stirring at half throttle and outrageous at 8000 rpm. Should i buy one?  if you are fortunate enough to get on the waiting list, it should be right at the top!! When I think of driving the California, and then of driving any of its rivals I can safely say that if any car is worth this outlay, this is, by a long way. The car doesn't just deserve to be thought of as a Ferrari, it is a fine Ferrari at that.

Visit www.ferrari.com for more information and configure your personal spec