Ferrari California

Last updated
Ferrari California
Ferrari California - Flickr - Alexandre Prevot (11).jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ferrari
Production2008–2017
Assembly Maranello, Italy
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer (S)
Body style 2-door, 2+2 retractable hardtop convertible
Layout Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Chronology
Successor Ferrari Portofino

The Ferrari California (Type F149) is a grand touring, high performance sports car created by the Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. It is a two-door 2+2 hard top convertible. When originally unveiled in 2008, the California was powered by a front-mid mounted, rear wheel drive, naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8. [1] In 2012 a lighter, slightly more powerful variant, the California 30 was introduced. In 2014, Ferrari announced the second generation of the model, named California T powered by a new twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8.

Contents

The car revives the name used on the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder and the 1960s 365 California. The modern California (2008) was originally introduced as an entry level model, however, it included many new design innovations from Ferrari. The original base price of the California was similar to the base price of the F430, the company's V8 flagship sports car at the time of its introduction. In 2018, the California was succeeded by the Portofino.

Ferrari California (2008–2014)

Ferrari California
Ferrari California - Flickr - Alexandre Prevot (13) (cropped).jpg
Overview
Production2008–2013
Model years 2009–2014
Designer Pininfarina under Ken Okuyama (1997) [2]
Powertrain
Engine 4.3 L F136 I V8
Power output
  • California: 460 PS (338 kW; 454 hp)
  • California 30: 490 PS (360 kW; 483 hp)
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch
6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,670 mm (105.1 in) [1]
Length4,563 mm (179.6 in) [1]
Width1,902 mm (74.9 in) [1]
Height1,308 mm (51.5 in) [1]
Kerb weight
  • 1,735 kg (3,825 lb) (Europe) [1]
  • 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) (US) [3]

Ferrari California T (2014–2017)

Ferrari California T
Ferrari California T - Mondial de l'Automobile de Paris 2014 - 003.jpg
Overview
Production2014–2017
Model years 2015–2018
Designer Ferrari Styling Centre in collaboration with Pininfarina under the direction of Flavio Manzoni [25]
Powertrain
Engine 3.9 L F154 BB twin-turbo V8
Power output412 kW (560 PS; 553 hp)
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch [26]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length4,570 mm (179.9 in)
Width1,910 mm (75.2 in)
Height1,322 mm (52.0 in)
Kerb weight
  • 1,730 kg (3,813 lb) (Europe) [26]
  • 1,843 kg (4,064 lb) (US) [27]
California T 2014-03-04 Geneva Motor Show 1452 (cropped).JPG
California T

The Ferrari California T (Type 149M) is an updated design of the California model featuring new sheetmetal and revised body features; a new interior, a revised chassis and a new turbocharged powertrain. It debuted in 2014 for the 2015 model year.

First unveiled on the web on February 12, 2014, subsequently, the car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6–16, 2014). The T in the moniker stands for Turbo, a technology Ferrari last used on the F40 road car. The car utilizes a new 3,855 cc (3.9 L; 235.2 cu in) twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 412 kW (560 PS; 553 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 755 N⋅m (557 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm as well as a 7-speed dual clutch transmission with different gear ratios, a revised MagneRide adaptive suspension, as well as a new F1 Trac system. The car can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and attain a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). The car also features a new front fascia that was influenced by the F12, a revised rear section and a revised interior. The revised rear end replaced the two sets of two vertically stacked exhaust pipes with four horizontally aligned pipes. Another improvement to the car is the reduction of emission pollution by 15% compared to its naturally aspirated predecessor. The car also utilises small turbo chargers and a variable boost management system to reduce turbo lag.

It is also the first Ferrari road car debuting the new Apple CarPlay functionality into its built-in infotainment system – Apple confirmed at the launch of the Geneva Motor Show that Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo would be among the first car manufacturers to bring CarPlay compatible models to the market. [28] [29]

California T Handling Speciale (2016–2017)

Similarly to the previous generation, a Handling Speciale (HS) package was made available for the California T, providing sportier handling at the expense of a stiffer ride. The Handling Speciale includes stiffer springs front and aft, retuned magnetorheological dampers, faster gear shifts when in Sport mode, a reprogrammed F1-Trac stability control, and a new sport exhaust system. Visually, the HS package-equipped cars are distinguished by a matte grey grille and rear diffuser, matte black diffuser fences and matte black exhaust tips. [30]

The California T Handling Speciale was unveiled at the March 2016 Geneva Motor Show. [31]

Tailor Made

Through the Tailor Made programme, the California T was produced in several special editions and could also be customised to suit individual customers. For Ferrari's 70th anniversary in 2017, this included 70 liveries inspired by the company's iconic cars of the past such as the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB and Steve McQueen's 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. The California T Tailor Made liveries were unveiled at the March 2016 Geneva Motor Show and also shown at other subsequent motor shows such as the October 2016 Paris Motor Show. [31] [32] [33] [34]

Marketing

The California and California T have both been commemorated by Amalgam Collection [35] in large 1:8 scale diecast replicas. These include hard top and convertible versions. MR Collection [36] and BBR Models [37] have also produced 1:18 and 1:43 scale replicas in hard top and convertible versions, including several different liveries. These replicas are all collectible investment pieces. Mass model manufacturers like Bburago, Maisto, Looksmart and Kyosho have also produced diecast models in 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64 scale sizes. Hot Wheels manufactured at least six different California series in 1:18 and 1:43 scales.

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References

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