Drop It Like It's Hot:
The Ferrari California is the latest convertible to wear the Prancing Horse badge, in honor of the open-top California 250 GT of the 1950s and 1960s. The 2009 California, though, will have no numbers or letters after its name. It made its debut in Paris in October 2008 and made the L.A. Auto Show in November. Don't look for it in Detroit, though. Ferrari pulled out of the 2009 North American International Auto Show, despite aiming this car at American drivers. Check out pictures of the car in the image gallery.
A Thirst for Firsts:
Ferrari has achieved several in-house firsts with the California. It's the first mid-front engine V8 for Ferrari, the first direct injection engine, first seven-speed double-clutch semi-automatic transmission, and the first with a retractable hard top. The company claims the top can fold itself away in 15 seconds.
Speed and Power:
There's a 4.3-liter V8 engine (borrowed from the F430) under the hood that, according to Ferrari, can hit 0-60 in under 4 seconds and top out at 198 mph. Horsepower is estimated at 455, and torque should be in the neighborhood of 350 lb-ft. The California comes with either a 7-speed dual-clutch set-up, which is said to be friendly to the new Ferrari driver, or a more traditional 6-speed manual. Mileage isn't cringe-inducing, for all that: EPA estimates are 12 city, 18 highway.
Wide on the Backside:
The design, which was carried out by legendary Italian firm and longtime Ferrari collaborator Pininfarina, has met with some distaste. No one is debating the front end, with its raked headlights and open-work grille. The trouble starts just behind the doors, where the crease flares to a weighty-looking rear. Though it has to be big enough to accommodate the stowed hard top and trunk space, it just looks bulky. The DuPont Registry calls it "portly," while Car magazine said it "has a fat arse." To be fair, Road and Track puts its "beautiful lines" in the "What's Hot" column.
It's What's Inside that Counts:
Even with the hard top tucked away, there is still room in the trunk for a couple of suitcases or a golf bag, thanks to the pass-through into the rear of the passenger compartment. Speaking of which, the interior is standard-issue Ferrari luxury, with leather everywhere and fitted seats. Owners have the option of two all but useless rear seats or a cargo shelf behind the front seats.
What'll It Cost?:
Estimates for the Ferrari California's MSRP in the U.S. hover between $200,000 and $240,000 -- more than insiders expected when the car's production was announced. It's due to hit dealerships in early 2009, so we'll find out for sure then. The waiting list for this car, though, is longer than the Liege-Rome-Liege race route, so if you haven't already bought your place in line, you might be out of luck.
