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 is the grand touring counterpart to the slightly smaller, midengine F430. The rest of the Ferrari range remains unchanged for 2009 after getting standard carbon-ceramic brakes across the board last year.
2009 Ferrari California: The Ferrari customer base is getting larger and more diverse, and in no car is that more apparent than the 2009 Ferrari California. This front-engine convertible is a true GT. It's aimed at those of you (those of you who are very, very wealthy, that is) who don't necessarily follow motorsports but still like the idea of owning a Ferrari, particularly one that's comfortable enough to drive every day and has room for golf clubs. The 2009 California will be the first Ferrari to feature the company's new seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission developed in cooperation with Getrag.
But you shouldn't take this to mean that the 2009 Ferrari California will be soft in the performance department. The rear-mounted transmission teams up with a 460-horsepower, direct-injected version of the company's 4.3-liter V8 (which is mounted behind the front axle, by the way), a combination that should be good for 0-60-mph runs of less than 4 seconds, says Ferrari. A conventional six-speed manual gearbox will also be offered.
The rear suspension has a new multilink design, making it easier for the engineers in Maranello to get the California's ride/handling balance just so. Tires are predictably huge, though, with 245/40R19 Pirelli P Zero Rossos in front and 285/40R20s in the rear. Gigantic carbon-ceramic brake rotors are on the options list, too.
Also noteworthy is the retractable hardtop designed for the 2009 Ferrari California. At only 11 pounds, it weighs less than the fabric top on the F430 Spider. When the roof is retracted, only 51 percent of the car's weight rests on the rear wheels — ideal as far as Ferrari is concerned.
2009 Ferrari F430/F430 Spider: The 2009 Ferrari F430, and its convertible counterpart, the F430 Spider, carry over into 2009 unchanged.
2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia: All-new last year, the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is unchanged for 2009. The 430 Scuderia, a lightweight, track-oriented version of the standard F430, has slightly more power and features an automated manual transmission with even faster shift times.
2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano: There are no significant changes for the 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
2009 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: Although there are no significant changes to the 2009 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, a new program called One-to-One Personalization allows 612 owners a greater degree of customization. A special area of the factory has been set aside where owners work with the factory craftsmen to develop unique details that will be incorporated into their 612.
Add A Comment »