California The Car Enthusiast - First Drive: Ferrari California

[Merc1]

There was tangible scepticism during the press conference for the new Ferrari California. Where does the new front-engined, folding hardtop model fit into the line-up? Does Ferrari really need another V8 model selling for the same sort of money as the F430? Add imploding financial markets around the globe into the mix and the addition of a fourth model range might seem rather ill advised right now. However, Ferrari is confident in its new 'range-completing' model and it has got very good reason to be.

In the Metal

Ferrari talks of styling links with its California to the famous 1950's 250 models. And there's some weight to that claim - the low, wide grille, slatted wings and bonnet scoop all paying tribute to its beautiful ancestors.

The California's styling is perhaps not so successful around the rear, as the folding hardtop results in a slightly heavy look to its haunches. The bold feature line along the flanks and rising up over the rear wings does soften the effect, but the California arguably looks its best with the roof up. It's not a car that you'll immediately fall in love with perhaps, but the California's style grows on you a great deal with exposure. There really is some beautiful detailing in its lines, even if the stacked exhausts are a touch showy for a car Ferrari itself admits is targeted at more conservative customers.

What you get for your Money

You certainly don't get the much-rumoured 'baby' Ferrari, as the California lines right up alongside its F430 relative with a £143,000 sticker price. For that you get one of the most evocative badges in the world, a sensational 4.3-litre V8 engine (which is positioned in the front for the first time in a V8 production Ferrari) producing 106bhp per litre, a new twin-clutch, paddle-shift transmission and a neat folding hardtop. Ferrari claims that the California offers customers a GT alternative to its sports cars, with more comfortable long-distance ability, more versatility with more space for luggage and passengers - though you'd need to be a real sadist to suggest anyone other than the smallest of children ever use the '+ seating' behind the driver and passenger.

As ever there are some desirable options: the magnetic damping system that provides a brilliant balance between sharp dynamics and ride comfort costs £3,132 for example. Figure on spending at least £10k on options for your perfect California then, but if you're buying a car in this financial realm, then that's unlikely to concern you.


Full Story: Car reviews | Ferrari California | Californication | by The Car Enthusiast


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[Tarek]

So it costs more than F430 coupe but less than convertible...I'll take the F430 please.

 

[Merc1]

I can't wait to see this car in person. There are few cars that photograph so good one instance and look a complete mess the next. The stacked rear and that side profile/crease are most troubling.

M