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Ferrari California

Coverage

  • 2012 Ferraris Come With Free Maintenance for Seven Years

    News

    2012 Ferraris Come With Free Maintenance for Seven Years

    7 Ratings | 10 Comments

    Just the Facts: Ferrari says its new free seven-year maintenance program is designed to ensure "clients enjoy the maximum peace of mind." The supercar maker. . .

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  • Buy a Ferrari, Get Free Maintenance for Seven Years

    News

    Buy a Ferrari, Get Free Maintenance for Seven Years

    6 Ratings | 6 Comments

    Just the Facts: Ferrari California, FF and 458 Italia buyers will get seven years of free maintenance. The Ferrari Genuine Maintenance program covers all. . .

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  • Ferrari: What's New for 2010

    Features

    Ferrari: What's New for 2010

    3 Ratings | 1 Comment

    2010 Ferrari 430 Scuderia : R.I.P. This track-dedicated version of the F430 made enthusiasts believe once again in the ability of Ferrari to put the "super". . .

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  • Cheryl Cole Tops Megan Fox as the Perfect Fantasy Passenger in U.K. Poll

    News

    Cheryl Cole Tops Megan Fox as the Perfect Fantasy Passenger in U.K. Poll

    5 Ratings | 0 Comments

    LONDON ? According to a poll run by the MPH Prestige & Performance Motor Show, men fantasize about driving a Bugatti Veyron with English pop star Cheryl Cole. . .

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  • Tuner Special: Edo Ferrari California

    News

    Tuner Special: Edo Ferrari California

    0 Ratings | 0 Comments

    AHLEN, Germany ? Edo Competition has moved on to the next supercar and created a detailed tuning package for the 2009 Ferrari California . Performance-wise,. . .

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  • 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Visitor's Guide

    Features

    2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Visitor's Guide

    0 Ratings | 0 Comments

    Check out the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show Highlights Video The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place November 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, right. . .

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  • Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce All Staying Away From Detroit's Auto Show

    News

    Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce All Staying Away From Detroit's Auto Show

    0 Ratings | 0 Comments

    DETROIT ? While the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show is in full swing, there is news that three more automakers have opted out of participation in the 2009 Detroit. . .

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  • 2009 Ferrari California First Drive

    Road Test

    2009 Ferrari California First Drive

    2 Ratings | 0 Comments

    It is understandably important to Ferrari that the 2009 Ferrari California not be seen as a poseur's car. We've lost count of how many times Ferrari officials have. . .

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  • 2009 Ferrari: What's New for 2009

    Features

    2009 Ferrari: What's New for 2009

    0 Ratings | 0 Comments

    The big news this year is the introduction of the all-new Ferrari California. With a V8 engine mounted up front and a standard retractable hardtop, the California. . .

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  • Michael Schumacher Gives His Blessing to 2009 Ferrari California

    News

    Michael Schumacher Gives His Blessing to 2009 Ferrari California

    1 Rating | 1 Comment

    MARANELLO, Italy ? Ferrari continues to beat the drum in advance of the 2009 Ferrari California's debut at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, now offering up Michael Schumacher's. . .

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  • Ferrari California Video Released on Microsite

    News

    Ferrari California Video Released on Microsite

    1 Rating | 0 Comments

    MARANELLO, Italy ? Ferrari says at least 500 million viewers from around the world have visited the Ferrari California microsite since its launch in May ? the. . .

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  • Pebble Beach Marks Golden Anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California

    News

    Pebble Beach Marks Golden Anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California

    0 Ratings | 0 Comments

    PEBBLE BEACH, California ? The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 17 will mark the 50th birthday of the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California, hosting six. . .

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Overview

The 2010 Ferrari California is both a throwback to Ferrari's heritage and something completely new for Italy's most storied and beloved car builder. The California's swooping fenders, open roof and front engine all recall the great Ferrari GT roadsters of the 1950s and 1960s. But unlike those glorious classic grand touring cars, the California has a V8 instead of a V12 under its hood and there's a folding hardtop to cover the cockpit when the weather dares grow inclement. And, of course, the Ferrari California name is itself nothing new, having been used on the short- and long-wheelbase 250 GT California Spyders built during the late-1950s and early-1960s.

Beyond that, with Ferrari's midengine V8-powered cars growing ever more hard-core with every passing year and its V12 machines spinning off into exotic territory, the 2010 Ferrari California is intended to be a friendlier, everyday Ferrari. Toward that end the California is the first Ferrari to ever be offered with a rear-mounted, seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The California also has a pair of dinky rear seats that add utility to the interior, even if they can't really accommodate mammals. And, at least during the California's initial launch period, that was the only transmission offered. Anyone wanting a traditional manual gearbox in the Ferrari California was just going to have to wait until Ferrari got around to putting one in.

At launch, the Ferrari California was powered by a new over-bored and under-stroked direct injection version of the 4.3-liter V8 used in Ferrari's midengine machines. With its "flat" 180-degree crankshaft, separate intake plenums for each bank of cylinders, and a 460-horsepower power peak that occurs at a dizzying 7,750 rpm, the California V8 is a thoroughly satisfying, purely Ferrari power plant. And it sounds so operatically and blisteringly wicked that most Ferrari California drivers will never commit the blasphemy of turning on the radio.

The 2010 Ferrari California is intended to be Ferrari's entry-level model. Of course, Ferrari's entry-level is well beyond where most manufacturers have already exited, but that's not the point. The point is, if you can't afford the Ferrari California, then get your agent to renegotiate your NBA contract.

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