Ferrari California
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-liter V8 (the same engine as in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione), sending 453 hp to the rear wheels. The car revives the "California" name used for the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT.
The Ferrari California represents a number of firsts for the company. It is the first front-engined Ferrari with a V8 engine; the first to have a 7-speed dual clutch transmission; the first with a folding metal roof; the first with multi-link rear suspension; and the first with direct petrol injection.
Rumor has it that the Ferrari California started off as a concept car for a Maserati, he 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, with its target market including women, with presently just one in 20 of Ferrari buyers being female.
The car will be built in a new production line next to the factory at Maranello. The existing production line produces 27 cars per day. Ferrari hopes to produce 5,000 Californias in the first two years of production. According to Motoring Magazine, the Ferrari California is sold out until 2012.
The California has a top speed of 193 mph and it accelerate from zero to 62 mph under 4 seconds. Although 628 lbs. heavier and 30 horsepower less powerful than the mid-engined Ferrari F430, the Ferrari California reaches 60 mph in the same time as the F430, thanks to the dual-clutch transmission. Ferrari spent more than 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel with a one-third-scale model of the Ferrari 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.
The 2010 Ferrari California is expected to be priced well below the $190,000 F430. The Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Continental GT are reportedly among the target competitors on price.