Ferrari tells us its California is less hard-edged than other machines in its range, that it’s aimed more at the grand touring driver than the would be race car driver. But, rest assured that there’s still plenty of Italian automotive fire and passion in this classy Italian convertible.
This became immediately obvious when we took the big Ferrari from the beach areas of the Gold Coast where we live, to the stunning hills of the hinterland behind the glamour strip.
Thanks to the wonders of modern electronics, the moment you punch the steering-wheel button to move from the ‘Comfort’ setting to ‘Sport’, the California instantly remembers the iconic company’s racing heritage and becomes hard edged and ready for serious action.
Ferrari’s 4.3-litre V8 engine is an all-new design with direct fuel injection. It pumps out 460 horsepower, 338 kW; even better is its magnificent 485 Nm of torque. All that grunt gives a glorious feeling of relentless urge as the tacho and speedo rise in delightful unison in line with the throttle input.
Then there’s the sound, the aural output of this brilliant Ferrari powerplant has to be heard - and felt - to truly appreciate it. A deep roar that has the nerves tingling, rising to a race-car like wail as the revs rise towards 8000. The sounds are delightfully raucous and bring a smile to the face as the California surges with the pedal to the metal towards the next bend.
At the last moment I get hard onto the brakes and the listen in delight as the sounds become even more racing oriented. The engine’s exhaust crackles and spits as it blips to keep its revs in time with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Ferrari slashes down through gear after gear faster than the brain can keep track of. Retardation is immense thanks to giant brakes that jam you hard against the seat belts aided by the engine braking.
Though the engine sits under a front bonnet of the California it has been squeezed right back to the firewall and sits completely behind the front axle line. This ‘mid-front’ engine position gives a weight balance that is close to perfect; 47 per cent on the front wheels and 53 on the rear. So handling is neutral at all speeds. This kept the smile on my face as I pushed ever faster at bends on the safe stretches of my favourite backroads.
Steering is fast and verges on being aggressive while in Sport mode. The big Italian machine turns into corners almost as though I had willed it do so rather than turned the wheel. It is immensely controllable on the throttle and you could enjoy playing with this Ferrari endlessly if the conditions were right.
A word of caution about the dual-clutch transmission. Like many of its type it’s not keen on reversing so squeezing slowly into tight spots can be nerve wracking due to abrupt actions. We suggest you try it for yourself when you walk into your Ferrari dealer’s with half a million dollars in your hot little hands.
When you come back to reality and punch the steering-wheel button to select the Comfort mode, the Ferrari’s suspension settings become softer, the steering reactions are less aggressive and the engine and transmission electronically change to cruiser rather than bruiser mode.
Ferrari California has a folding aluminium hardtop that can retract in just 14 seconds. You can power it up or down while driving slowly - just the thing to impress your peers when you cruise up to your favourite cafe.
On a more practical note, the fast roof can be powered up a red light so you’re able to enjoy the California in full open mode even when the weather is threatening, secure in the knowledge that it can enclose you just about anytime, anywhere.
As you and your favourite other settle down to enjoy more sedate grand touring all the hard work that now enables you to afford a half million dollar convertible suddenly makes sense.
Four people can take part in the cruising / touring experience as there is a pair of individual back seats of the California. But the folks in the rear should be small and/or very tolerant because there’s not much room back there.
It’s possible to carry a reasonable amount of luggage in the boot, and a small ski hatch increases practicality. As always the way with a folding hardtop, you lose luggage space when doing any topless driving.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Ferrari California 4.3-litre two-door convertible: $459,650
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Electronic Stability Program: Standard
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard
Bluetooth: Standard
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS (Ferrari California 4.3-litre two-door convertible)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 4.297 litres
Configuration: 90-degree V8
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 12.2:1
Bore/Stroke: 94.0 mm x 77.4 mm
Maximum Power: 338 kW @ 7750 rpm
Maximum Torque: 485 Nm @ 5000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Seven-speed
Final Drive Ratio: Not available
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4563 mm
Wheelbase: 2670 mm
Width: 1902 mm
Height: 1308 mm
Turning Circle: Not available
Kerb Mass: 1735 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 78 litres
Towing Ability: Not recommended for towing
Boot Capacity: 340 litres (240 litres with roof retracted)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, coils springs, gas damper, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-link, coils springs, gas damper, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 4.0 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 98RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 13.1 L/100 km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: Not rated
Air Pollution Rating: Not rated
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km |
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
