Car Reviews > Ferrari > California > New Ferrari California Car Review

California - A Fascinating Sports Car

The new Ferrari California is something a little different for the marque. It shows that the car maker is interested in catering to a larger market beyond the traditional Ferrari enthusiasts. While it is not exactly an inexpensive car, the California is on the low end of the Ferrari price scale, coming in at well under £150,000. This opens it up to a whole new range of buyers, but the California still makes the grade as an exciting Ferrari.

The engine of the California is a V8 delivering 460bhp and attaining a max speed of 193mph. The quick trip from 0 to 62mph can be done in an exhilarating 3.9 seconds. What is more, maximum torque is available throughout a wide range, giving the car consistent muscle on the way up. That is nobody's second class automobile.

The transmissions available are up to the task of moving the California briskly through its speed range. Buyers have the choice of two different gearboxes. The most advanced is the 7-speed dual clutch F1 gearbox. The second is Ferrari's standard 6-speed manual gearbox.

The Ferrari California has the spirit of a Grand Touring car and a sports car combined. It has a front double wishbone suspension and a rear multi-link suspension system that is optimised for a luxurious and comfortable ride. The F1-Trac traction control adds to that feeling of smoothness and relaxation. The car caters to a crowd that is more interested in a deluxe ride than in a high performance sports car.

Its comfort factors carry over into the premium infotainment system and the leather interior. The special driver's and passenger's seats are highly adjustable. Ferrari's unique personalisation plan gives buyers options that were never before up for consideration. The California is sure to please drivers who want the highest level of control over their purchase.

It should never be forgotten that the California is still a sports car. It does have great power on the start-up, and with its carbon ceramic brakes, it has a breathtakingly short stopping time as well. Although the hardtop roof adds to the weight, the aluminum frame has the opposite effect. The California maintains a low enough overall heft to keep it light on its feet and able to make those fast starts and reach those high speeds.

The California has some interesting features for a sports car. For example, it has the standard 2 seats, but it also has room for another two if the buyer chooses that option. There is a fold-down hardtop that offers a pleasant open-air drive without spoiling the weight balance of the car when it is folded down.

In simplest terms, the Ferrari California is a high-comfort, high-performance sports car. Ferrari has perhaps put more emphasis on the Grand Touring aspect of the car, but buyers need not dismiss the California as a pretender. It has what it takes to excite most drivers, even those who have driven sports cars before. The Ferrari California may appeal to a different market than other Ferrari's, but it is still a solid choice for many.

by Autoweb