Ferrari has officially taken the wraps of off its newest GT, The Ferrari California.
The newest Ferrari is only available as a convertible with a folding hardtop. Its powered by a 4.3L V8 with 460 horsepower mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The Ferrari California reaches 0-62 mph in less than 4.0 seconds.
The Ferrari California is going to be officially unveiled at the Paris Auto Show later this year, but expect more photos and info in the near future.
PRESS RELEASE:
New Ferrari California revealed: a hugely versatile, innovation-packed GT
Maranello, May 13th 2008 - The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.
The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.
The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque's history in the mid-front position.
In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.
As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car's performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.
In addition to sporting the marque's classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari's own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.
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. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Paris International Car Show. However, over the coming weeks, new photographs and further details about it will also be published.
Comments (27)
I love it so much <3
Posted by John Chippy | May 13, 2008 6:49 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 06:49
Looks good. I can't help but like Ferrari's. If this were a Kia we'd all lambast the styling.
I wonder how much it'll weigh with that folding hardtop.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | May 13, 2008 6:54 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 06:54
Yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,,but is it worth it?
Posted by zippy | May 13, 2008 8:14 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 08:14
looks a bit like a alfa romeo. im not impressed by this car its use of toyota like styling do not apeal to me although i realize im the last guy to show up in any ferrari dealership i still think this is not going to be a "Classic". There will be no sense of occasion when driving this car even though its certainly going to be a technological marvel. the classics that retain there value and are saught after by collectors are almost always the cars that arent the fastest cars of there day but when you get behind the wheel of one of them you feel special. this will certainly be nick cage's new arround the town car but it wont be in a auto museum unless cage goes careening off the Pacific Cost Highway and goes through the pearly gates of heaven backwards and on fire.
Posted by dennisil | May 13, 2008 8:25 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 08:25
Oh, this is not a Kia?
4 sec? that means it is faster then that Cadillac CTS-V?
Posted by lowest IQ | May 13, 2008 8:29 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 08:29
Ford Focus: 'the faux fender vents are gone'
Yes, to Ferrari
Posted by waldorf and statler | May 13, 2008 8:32 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 08:32
Dull.
I LOVE WHINING !
Posted by CKV | May 13, 2008 8:52 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 08:52
I'm 100% certain Ferrari doesn't put fake fender vents on their cars. At least they're not garish. I'm sure they're not neccessary, but still functional.
Of course this car won't hold it's value or attraction. Ferrari's cars should be mid-engined. If you look at prices on the 456gt and 550 maranello the resale is terrible. I like it, but it's not a *true* Ferrari.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | May 13, 2008 9:01 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 09:01
I own a ferrari and i think this car does look abit dull!
Posted by geddies | May 13, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 10:47
I like it, not as much as most other Ferraris however.
Posted by gm0n3y | May 13, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 11:15
True... This won't be one of those, "Wow, what a truly amazing car!" Ferrari's. Just a rich boy's toy, I suppose.
It just doesn't have that typical Ferrari beauty. Anyone who's seen a classic in person knows what I'm talking about.
Posted by Joan of Arc | May 13, 2008 4:42 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 16:42
am i the only one that thinks this ferrari looks alot like a c6 corvette?
Posted by Charlie | May 13, 2008 6:44 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 18:44
It looks like it was pulled out of Pixar's Cars movie. I mean, is this thing smiling at me???
Posted by scott | May 13, 2008 6:47 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 18:47
I love the performance specs, but, I can't help but hate this car. I mean, Ferrari is about performance and therefor mid-engine, and here we have now a car that, when the F430 dies, will make Ferrari all front engine. This means that they will be just like Maserati and Alfa Romeo, and yes, I do complain that this looks like Ferrari just copied the 8C.
Seriously, dark days are ahead when the Italian throughbreeder looks like this.
Posted by Allen | May 13, 2008 8:57 PM
Posted on May 13, 2008 20:57
Yay! after a decade of bland, Ferrari finally produces something stylish
Posted by Bill | May 14, 2008 5:28 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 05:28
Side view looks good. Like the profile. The rear view is a little iffy with the that long wide black area going across it. It does fit the car at all.
The front end is horrible. Like someone else said, it looks like its smiling, and that makes me want to kick it straight in the grille.
Posted by Sandmanwn | May 14, 2008 7:16 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 07:16
For the people commenting on the looks. I at first didn't like it much either, but then I looked up the old 1960's 250 California and I must say I like it how they turned the old looks into a new version, especially the front and her hips :)
Granted, not as flashy as some other Ferrari's, but definately with history in contrary of what a lot of people think:
http://www.ketchamimports.com/images/62_Ferrari_250_SWB_Ca_Spy2.jpg
http://www.autosportlounge.com/gallery/diecast-images/ferrari-california.jpg
Posted by Dave | May 14, 2008 7:23 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 07:23
Why cant this thing be a hybrid, i mean when im president of the united states i will promise not to stop fighting for everyone to own a hybrid ferrari. i wont quit ever untill the job is done and im going straight to the white house!!!
Posted by Hillary Clinton | May 14, 2008 8:18 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 08:18
Is this what Ferrari thinks Americans (well, Californians) think a European car should look like?
And who do we blame?
Posted by DrFruit | May 14, 2008 9:00 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 09:00
Looks cheap. Like a Mazda. And agree with scott. It smiles.
Ferrari is the car I would love to own (cannot afford any car in reality) but would rather have some other one. This is a car for the Ferrari girls.
The headlights are too big. The doors are dull.
Posted by looks kind of.. | May 14, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 09:49
Looks good to me, but that is what a rich guy buys his GF/wife. Definitely not a man's Ferrari.
Posted by SlowandMellow | May 14, 2008 11:02 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 11:02
It is smiling, but it's a sinister smile, like it's plotting to eat the family dog when you aren't looking.
Posted by MIKE | May 14, 2008 11:07 AM
Posted on May 14, 2008 11:07
460hp. They had to spin the bujeezus out of the engine to get that (7500rpm). I just love reading about cars that I'll never be able to afford; however, I would love pulling up in a Jack in the Box drive thru and ordering a cheeseburger.
Posted by WVO | May 14, 2008 2:01 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 14:01
The rear end ruins it for me, especially the taillights.
Posted by Kell | May 14, 2008 3:37 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 15:37
Lovely dovely a new sports car!
@ Cheap Car
"If this were a Kia we'd all lambast the styling."
Who cares whether people criticize designs, or not, that's what the blog is for... comments & discussions.
Posted by GT Fan | May 14, 2008 4:26 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 16:26
These dual clutch cars are starting to take over the world!!
Posted by vtfo0lio | May 16, 2008 10:21 PM
Posted on May 16, 2008 22:21
Nothing special. Same old rehashed design from Ferrari yet again. Can they be more unique with the new designs instead of repeating more of the old?
Posted by Jake | May 18, 2008 8:09 PM
Posted on May 18, 2008 20:09