Ferrari California (2008): more details

By Ben Whitworth

First Official Pictures

25 June 2008 14:01

Ferrari continues its tantalising drip feed of information and images on the new California, with new footage of the roof in action appearing on the car’s website (www.ferraricalifornia.com) today.

The fully automatic electro-hydraulic folding metal roof is a two-piece unit that converts the coupe to convertible in just 14 seconds. When the roof is up, the boot has a 360-litre capacity, shrinking to 260 when the hard-top is folded away.

With pleasure. At 4560mm long, the Ferrari splits the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9, but it’s wider than both at 1900mm. Ferrari claims the California is a 2+2 but it would outrageously generous to describe the rear tubs as seats.

Mounted far back under the California’s bonnet sits a spanking new all-alloy 4.3-litre V8. Fettled with direct injection, it develops 454bhp at 7500rpm. It’s hooked up to a new seven-speed double-clutch transmission. A new launch control system will blast the California to 60mph in just under four seconds and on to a 190mph top speed. And if you’re interested in collecting loyalty points, the Ferrari will return around 21mpg - with a light foot.

The California is turning out to be a bit of a Marmite car –everyone at CAR either loves or hates it with no middle ground at all. What are your thoughts…?

By Ben Whitworth