La Più Nuova Ferrari

[Devinda_Z]

Enter the all new "California" -The very latest addition to the Ferrari stables!

That's new as in new. Not a replacement for any of the existing models, but an additional fourth range for the company.

And, whatever the ill-informed speculation elsewhere in the blogosphere might have said, it's not a bottom-end Ferrari. It'll cost somewhere around, maybe a little above, the price of a 430 Spider.

It goes on sale after a public debut at the Paris Show this September.

Ferrari has aimed to make a car that's luxurious and useable every day, because it knows there are many thousands of newly ultra-rich around the world who don't see why a supercar should be grumpy, uncomfortable and difficult to drive through town.

To achieve that California has a lot of technologies new to Ferrari.

It's the first time they've made a front-engined V8. The first time they've done direct petrol injection. The first time they've done a folding metal hardtop. The first time they've had a dual-clutch transmission instead of the F1 system that jerks and stutters at low speed. The first time they've had multi-link rear suspension, to maintain handling but improve ride.

But don't worry, it's still a Ferrari.

It gets from 0-62 in 'under four seconds'. It has 460bhp at 7500rpm from a 4.3-litre engine, which is only slightly less than the same block produces in the 430, but the new car, because it a grand tourer, has a more generous torque curve. Having seven speeds in the box improves performance further.

It has carbon brakes as standard. The traction control system is borrowed from the brilliant 599. It has an aluminium body shell, and Ferrari has proved with the 430 Spider that it knows how to make this construction light and stiff.

Full details and more pictures are in the new issue of Top Gear magazine. There'll be more drip-feed as the summer goes along.

Get your deposit into your dealer now. Or, if your bank balance is like the rest of ours', at least book your Eurostar ticket to Paris this October.

(Source : Top Gear)

Edited May 14, 2008 by Devinda_Z

[Ripper]

aiyo horrible looking car

[Pericles]

I like it. Not as good looking as the F430, but looks like a modern take on a retro design. Folding metal hard-top? Would like to see a proper coupe. In the spirit of the 550 and 575.

[GTAm]

I'm quite dissappointed with the styling. Ferrari has become extremely predictable these days. I wonder if this was Frank Stephenson's last mess up before he left.

For sure it will set new standards in the class but then where's the emotion. After the Alfa 8C spyder this looks very ordinary. And what's with those IS-F tail pipes

[Devinda_Z]

is it just me or does this look a tad too ordinary for a Ferrari - in the sense that it lacks poise & sophistication and gives an illusion of someone who's trying too hard...

kiinda like some mainstream auto maker having its first stab at tin top

[Ripper]

is it just me or does this look a tad too ordinary for a Ferrari - in the sense that it lacks poise & sophistication and gives an illusion of someone who's trying too hard...

kiinda like some mainstream auto maker having its first stab at tin top

after looking at that new Lambo... this one looks even worse now

[TomaHAWK]

Machan,

This new Ferrari is based on one of their old designs - 250California spider I have seen some pics of the old car I think it is around 1950's - 60's era, not so sure.. and here it is.

I do not think new generation will go with this car but surely some classic lovers will do.....

[Watchman]

I do not think new generation will go with this car but surely some classic lovers will do.....

I agree with you o that notion!

[Pericles]

Ah, well. Maybe I'm all sentimental coz they called it the California Tho my California was a Nissan

[Pericles]

Machan,

This new Ferrari is based on one of their old designs - 250California spider I have seen some pics of the old car I think it is around 1950's - 60's era, not so sure.. and here it is.

Thank you. So I was right. It is a modern take on a retro design

[Devinda_Z]

looks aside go check out the link and hear it Rev!

despite the lackluster effort when it comes to delighting the visual senses, it does a fairly decent job at thrilling ones aural senses!

be patient - this link takes sometime to load , but its worth it!

http://www.ferraricalifornia.com/webapp/he...tm?locale=en_GB

Ferrari California - Hear: Release The Spirit (Accelerating)

Ferrari California - Hear: Embrace The Thrill (Racing)

Ferrari California - Hear: Feel The Rush (Drive-by)

Edited May 16, 2008 by Devinda_Z

[GTAm]

Yes Devinda nothing like a Ferrai V8 for aural pleasure. For me it makes a Lambo V12 sound like a bit like a tractor ! And this is a brand new V8.

This Califonia seems to me like the US marketing departments' dream come true. I feel a US customer clinic must have shaped some of the body, together with the guidence of Frank Stephenson who IMO promised a lot and delieverd very little.

I mean just look at the Alfa 8C spider and then this!

But still I think they're aiming for the folk who think a Merc SL65 is cheap or a DB9 is unreliable (and they have been very) and I think this will be the best selling Ferrari in the range. Considering the design and engineering brief it's likely to be the most 'everyday' Ferrari ever. The 430 is too much of a focussed performance machine for rich lazy Califonians!? And if recent Ferraris are anything to go by this will be a cracking drive.

The strange thing is that this was initially developed as a Maserati!

[Devinda_Z]

For me it makes a Lambo V12 sound like a bit like a tractor !

The strange thing is that this was initially developed as a Maserati!

hmmm not svelte enough to be Masserati imo

your lucky there aren't any Lambo owners on the forum and ole Ferruccio is peacefully lying under the turf somewhere in Italy, or else he'd come at you, like he did Enzo

[Devinda_Z]

new pictures of the California in powder blue with the roof up...

not too shabby with the top in place

[Pericles]

Dammit I like the roof up And yes, I know I'm in a minority

http://www.supercars.net/index-4-2008NewLayout.html#576

http://www.supercars.net/cars/4157.html

Besides, its a FR V8 with a 7 speed dual clutch transmission. Sounds good to me!

However, it seems to be some sorta GDI? What a shame. Oh well, I wasn't planning on buying one and bringing it down any time soon anyway

[GTAm]

However, it seems to be some sorta GDI? What a shame. Oh well, I wasn't planning on buying one and bringing it down any time soon anyway

Direct Injection for better efficiency and 'economy'. Now there's a reason you should change your mind and bring one anyway

[Devinda_Z]

Direct Injection for better efficiency and 'economy'. Now there's a reason you should change your mind and bring one anyway

now heres the catch

all the review say "reduce" and give the CO2 figure , but not one of them gives the improved consumption figure!

for all we know it could be 17mpg alllll the way upto 18mpg!

[Pericles]

now heres the catch

all the review say "reduce" and give the CO2 figure , but not one of them gives the improved consumption figure!

for all we know it could be 17mpg alllll the way upto 18mpg!

C'mon man. With all that torque, you could burble around on the 7th all day

Well, I'm assuming there'll be a lot of toque. Its a 4.3l V8.

And it has a specific output that'll shame all these Honda boys.

[Dj shan]

Rendered Speculation: Ferrari California Mondial

Plucked straight from the imagination of one talented Ferrari fan, we have here a rendering of what a possible sportier edition of the upcoming Ferrari California might look like. While the newest Prancing Horse has yet to hit the show floor, this proposed version would potentially appeal to those who want their exclusive exotics as exclusive as possible. Somewhat like what Ferrari did with the Challenge Stradale and Scuderia versions of the 360 and F430 respectively, this California variant would conceivably get a slight horsepower boost, some distinctive visual cues and presumably a higher price tag befitting its limited edition nature. While we have to say that the overall look is definitely sporty and tasteful, this is pure speculation right now. While the CS and Scuderia could trace their existence to the Ferrari Challenge Series race cars, there is no word yet that Ferrari plans any such series for the California. If Ferrari doesn't build its own version, perhaps one of the tuners will. Hamman, Mansory, Novitec?

Source Autoblog

[Devinda_Z]

Rendered Speculation: Ferrari California Mondial

Plucked straight from the imagination of one talented Ferrari fan, we have here a rendering of what a possible sportier edition of the upcoming Ferrari California might look like. While the newest Prancing Horse has yet to hit the show floor, this proposed version would potentially appeal to those who want their exclusive exotics as exclusive as possible. Somewhat like what Ferrari did with the Challenge Stradale and Scuderia versions of the 360 and F430 respectively, this California variant would conceivably get a slight horsepower boost, some distinctive visual cues and presumably a higher price tag befitting its limited edition nature. While we have to say that the overall look is definitely sporty and tasteful, this is pure speculation right now. While the CS and Scuderia could trace their existence to the Ferrari Challenge Series race cars, there is no word yet that Ferrari plans any such series for the California. If Ferrari doesn't build its own version, perhaps one of the tuners will. Hamman, Mansory, Novitec?

Source Autoblog

i'm liking the colour , rims and most of all that sharper revised front bumper...

doesn't go completely with the curvy rear lines , but looks aggresive

[Pericles]

Rendered Speculation: Ferrari California Mondial

Suspicious, the front bumper vent has changed, the vent in the fender has changed, the rims have changed and there is a white stripe. Oddly, the reflection on the floor of the B/W one is blue around the front. Also oddly, the reflection of the rims on the blue car is wrong.

Strange, innit?

[Devinda_Z]

Suspicious, the front bumper vent has changed, the vent in the fender has changed, the rims have changed and there is a white stripe. Oddly, the reflection on the floor of the B/W one is blue around the front. Also oddly, the reflection of the rims on the blue car is wrong.

Strange, innit?

very!

didnt notice all that detail - was only looking at the differences in the cars...

but now that you mentioned it , deosn't it look like the reflection of the grey car is the same as that of the blue?

so someones been playing around with the original image?

poor job by the press dept @ Ferrari

[charitha19]

is it me or does the styling look a little copied... i mean.. ferrai always had thier uniqe sense.. but this.. hmmm.... like a cross with an aston or a audi grill....

[GTAm]

is it me or does the styling look a little copied... i mean.. ferrai always had thier uniqe sense.. but this.. hmmm.... like a cross with an aston or a audi grill....

Actually the grille might be the most "un-copied" detail.

Its simply that it lacks the clean lines and the cohesion of previous Ferraris. There's too much fussy details and weak lines. Like American and Japanese designs.

Not surprising when the previous design director at Pinin Farina was Jap Ken Okuyama and the previous design boss at Ferrari was an American Frank Stephenson. Undoutably they have had a lot of influence.

In the metal its said to be a lot better according to TG mag, but still I'm not convinced.

At least its good to know that the Lexus IS like stacked tail pipes actually serve the purpose and are not just deco like in the Lex.

[GTAm]