Ferrari California arrives

By Alborz Fallah | September 19th, 2008

It may not be officially official until the Paris motor show kicks off, but Ferrari has taken the wraps of its newest addition to the stable; the California, in a simultaneous event held in both Los Angeles and Maranello.

F1 heavyweights Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher were there to assist the star studded events, with the latter being heavily involved in the new California’s development as he was in the F430 Scuderia.

The Ferrari California boasts an all new 343kW (460hp) 4.3-litre V8 that is mounted in the front of the car behind the front wheels.

Making it move is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission system that will happily send the California to 0-100km/h in less than 4 seconds, which is also new technology for the prancing horse.

Although a controversial Ferrari nonetheless, it still promises to be true to its core. Using a new multilink rear suspension system the Ferrari California is also blessed with the highly acclaimed F1-Trac traction control system first seen in the 599 GTB Fiorano.

Brembo has taken care of the brakes with carbon-ceramics all around.

The interior is classic Ferrari, carefully crafted by Ferrari’s own skilled artisans. The California gets all-new seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and
infotainment system

The Italian company says the California will appeal to 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”.

Click through to the next page for the gallery or head over to the official website to view the unveiling of Ferraris newest weapon.

odog

I like it. It looks awesome from side on with the hard-top roof coming up. Having said that i would still prefer a f430.
Car-Enthusiast

I dnt care if its even faster than The F430 Scuderia (not like it is gona be faster), but still in any other view then side view it is one ugly Car. and in saying that i just can’t wait to see the reviel of the New lambo that their was a teaser pic of realeased on the net. whether its a new car or just a facelift, im pretty sure its gonna look way nicer then this ferrari.

So Whats the point in spending over $300 000 for a car, that may drive like a super, but no look any where near or as nice a a supercar (/like lambo’s) look.
confusion

^C.E: Missed way too many classes in school….. jeez.
Captain Mainwaring

This thing is gorgeous until you get to half way along the door, then it turns into an absolute pig as a result of having to be designed around the stupid folding metal hardtop. Why not leave this dopey idea with Peugeot who invented it?
When they make a cleanly-styled fixed-head version which will be lighter, more rigid and much better looking by not having to pander to the gay market I’ll buy one (after winning lotto).
Joe

Overall I wouldn’t say it’s exactly a pretty looking Ferrari, though I certainly wouldn’t call it ‘ugly’. That first photo on this page but looks brilliant IMO. The thing is I don’t think it looks good in a Ferrari sort of way.

It reminds me of the 599 and the 612 (though marginally better looking) in that it just doesn’t strike me as particularly Ferrari looking.
Johno

so captain mainwarning, you’re just assuming that all gay people like hard top convertables? and by that im probably guessing a peaugeot 206cc or whatever theyre called… what a stupid assumption.

im gay and drive an 07′ clubby r8? what stereotype u in now buddy!
Car-Enthusiast

confusion, lol hopefully just cause u like that asian saying ur not actually asian, cause dnt get me started on the Design’s of those Toyotas, lol. & btw sry i didnt spell check/grammer check on my last comment, DO U WANT to give me a F- for the (Caradvice.com.au commenter ENGLISH TEST)

now, im not hating on Ferrari here, but i dnt think that they make too many good looking cars, and it is annoying that they have used the same basic design for the Rear Tail lights on almost every model since the Ferrari F355. All they have basically done in the Ferrari’s after the F355 is re-position & probably slightly resize the Rear tail lights, & with the newere models all they have done is instead of having 4 round rear tail lights, they have 2 round rear tail lights. I recon Ferrari needs a new design Team, & so does Porche for that matter.
acilk

Well Porsches design team have just been busy lately designing kitchens and pipes…
http://www.dialademo.co.za Find Cars Online

How can anyone say that this is an ugly car, you don’t know what you talking about. It really looks nice in the blue.