Aesthetic yet functional
Ferrari launched the long awaited Ferrari California at the Mondial De L’Automobile 2008, Paris. Mayank Singh reports from the Paris Motor Show

The Ferrari California made its official debut at the Paris Auto Show 2008 after a series of special previews on the web and after two dedicated events staged in Maranello and Los Angeles. Ferrari cars have conventionally had the reputation of being sleek but impractical.

Ferrari claims that the California unlike most supercars can be used every day. To make it driver-friendly, the Maranello factory has fitted a clever automatic gearbox, put a V8 engine at the front instead of in the middle – where it normally sits – and added a metal folding roof. The result is a car that looks and sounds Italian but behaves like a well-mannered German.

Reinventing the wheel
The Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past, the 1957 250 California, a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has over the years come to symbolise not only superior sportiness and performance but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication.

This new car joins Ferrari’s 8-cylinder range which is made up mostly of very high performance models. It also flanks the 12-cylinder flagship 612 Scaglietti in the Grand Tourer category. The Ferrari California is a car with the track in its DNA. It is innovative and will more than fulfill the expectations of even the most discerning customers with its driving pleasure and versatility. The California is available exclusively as a convertible with retractable folding hard top in either a two-seater version with a traditional rear bench or in the 2+ version which sees the rear bench equipped with seating for one or two passengers.

In line with Ferrari tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features. In addition to its retractable hard top and the aforementioned original 2+ concept, the new prancing horse car also offers – a new direct injection V8 engine, a seven-speed gearbox with steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles coupled with a new dual clutch, a new suspension system, the new evolved F1-Trac traction control system and Bemba brakes with CCM (carbon ceramic material) discs as standard.

If looks could kill
The California’s sleek aerodynamic styling is like the rest of the current Ferrari models, the result of the company’s longstanding collaboration with Pininfarina and offers a host of signature Ferrari styling cues. Viewed from the side, the aerodynamic sweep of the bonnet beautifully contrasts with the compact tail volume and the pulled back cabin. The front continues some of the themes hinted at on the flanks, harmoniously alternating concave and convex volumes.

This is the first V8 in the history of Ferrari road-cars to be the mid-front mounted. Built entirely from aluminium, it retains the typical Ferrari architecture with a 90 degree angle between the two cylinder banks and a 180 degree angle between the cranks. The new V8 features direct fuel injection and variable timing (on both intake and exhaust) to guarantee superb performance, exceptional handling and fuel consumption and emissions that easily comply with the toughest Euro 5 and Lev2 standards. Thanks in part to these solutions, the Ferrari California consumes just 13.1 litres/100kms and has carbon emissions of 305.6g/km. The California’s engine sound was carefully created, keeping in mind one of the great Ferrari signatures. Particular attention was lavished on sound perception in the cabin both with the top up and down to ensure that the trademark thrill is maintained without compromising on occupant acoustic comfort.

Custom built option
The Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme allows all Ferrari clients to personalise their car to suit their own tastes and requirements. There are four main areas covered by the programme – racing and track, exteriors and colours, interiors and materials and equipment and travel. The Ferrari California comes with diamond-finish 19” 5-spoke aluminium alloy wheels as standard. However, a further set of diamond-finish 20” forged 5-spoke alloy wheel that are 11 kg lighter than those offered as standard, can also be ordered.

The California is available in a choice of 16 different pastel and metallic colours. However clients also have the option of ordering the new Azzurro California shade created especially for the car’s launch. In addition to the usual range of 12 leather colours available to choose from the interior trim too, two new colours have been added – Cioccolato and Iroko.