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Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse’s 8-cylinder family which
has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship
612 Scaglietti in the prestigious sporty Grand Tourer segment. The new
model is available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top.
This is the first dual-purpose Spider/Coupé with a retractable
hard top that closes in just 14 seconds. Both chassis and bodywork are
in aluminum, in line with the rest of the current range. The California
is powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque’s
history in the mid-front position. Despite its extraordinary performance,
the California 2+ is also exceptionally easy to drive and has a space
behind the front seats that makes it supremely flexible in terms of usage.
The California’s 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection
and a “flat” crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm
with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum
driving pleasure. The engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint
from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, is coupled to a 7-speed dual
clutch transmission. It is the first time that the new 7-speed dual clutch
has been used on a Ferrari. This technology is the result of an in-depth
gear shifting systems research by the Scuderia Ferrari. The system used
on the Ferrari California cuts the gear shifting time to zero and enhances
to the utmost the car’s performance in terms of comfort and drivability.
Particular attention is also paid to fuel consumption levels which in
the case of the ECE combined cycle are 13.2 l/100 km with CO2 emission
levels of around 310 g/km.The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink
rear suspension system.
The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction
control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano. Brembo brakes
featuring carbon-ceramic material disks guarantee superbly efficient braking.
Like the rest of the current Prancing Horse range, the Ferrari California
has been aerodynamically designed to deliver significant down force values
– 70 kg at 200 Km/h. The car is 4560 mm in length, 1900 mm wide
and has a wheel base of 2700 mm.
New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument
panel and infotainment system, together with its optimized aerodynamic
ensure a car that is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable to drive regardless
of whether the top is up or down.
The luggage capacity provides further proof of the versatility of the
Ferrari California: when the roof is up, the boot has a 360-litre capacity
and a 260-litre capacity when it is down. For the first time in the Prancing
Horse history, the boot and cabin communicate directly, allowing a choice
of luggage configurations to be used.
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