Thursday, May 19, 2011

First Impression: Ferrari California



Ferrari has been around since 1929. Ferrari is responsible for some of the fastest cars ever made. Never has there been a Ferrari with a V8 engine in the front of the car or a Ferrari with a retractable roof. The Ferrari California, first produced in 2008, represents a number of firsts for the company. It is the first Ferrari to have a V8 in the front, the first Ferrari to feature a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, the first Ferrari with a folding metal roof, the first Ferrari with multi-link rear suspension, and the first Ferrari with direct fuel injection. With a drag coefficient of 0.32, it is also the most aerodynamic Ferrari. This is the best looking Ferrari I have ever seen.

I first saw the Ferrari California at the 2010 Houston Classy Chassis. When I first saw this car, I thought it is one of the best looking cars I have ever seen. In a room with Lamborghinis, Mustangs, Corvettes, Shelby Cobras, and other classic cars, I could not take my eyes of this car. It has a sleek aerodynamic design and a beautiful interior. This is a high quality vehicle. It is a work of art.

The Ferrari California is powered by a 4.3L V8 that connected to a seven speed transmission dual clutch automated manual transmission with paddle shifters. The engine produces 453 hp and 357 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 193 mph. Prices for a Ferrari California start at $192,000.  This is one fast grand tourer convertible.

The Ferrari California was feature in both Top Gear and Top Gear USA. In Episode 8 of Top Gear USA, Tanner Foust drove a Ferrari California from Hollywood to Las Vegas and arrived at a casino before Rutledge Wood did, who flew from Hollywood to Las Vegas, then took a cab to the casino. Richard Hammond drove a Ferrari California in Romania during Series 14, Episode 1, where the guys were in Romania to find the Transfagarasan Highway. The California is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2, Gran Turismo 5, GT Racing, Motor Academy, Asphalt 5, Supercar Challenge, Forza Motorsport 3, and Need For Speed: Shift.

Final Thoughts: This is a beautiful Car. A work of art. It maybe a fast car, but it has the lowest top speed compared to the other cars in Ferrari's current range. For a car company that has never made a hardtop convertible or put a V8 in the front of the car, Ferrari did well. As far as current Ferraris go, only the 458 Italia cost less than the California. Whoever owns this car will have a great time driving it.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

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