Ferrari California

Ferrari is a brand defined by its traditions. Its front-engine GT cars have always possessed V12 engines under their long hoods, and its two-seat sports cars have always had a V8 out back. But with the California, has Ferrari broken its own rules, mounting a 4.3-liter V8 in the nose of a two-seat GT for an entirely different kind of car, at the same time reviving one of its most evocative nameplates.

Built for fun, open-road touring, the Ferrari California is the essence of Italian style and performance. The exterior design is the work of long-time Ferrari coachbuilder Pininfarina, while the beautiful two-passenger-plus interior is the provenance of legendary Italian styling house Bertone. One look tells you it’s a Ferrari, with those classic flowing lines and signature details like the hood scoop that looks like it may have been pulled right off the hood of a vintage 250 GT California.

Built from the ground up as a convertible, the Ferrari California features a folding hardtop that disappears into the trunk at the push of a button. With the top up, it’s a handsome GT coupe with a smooth, traditional silhouette. With the top down, it’s a classy roadster, its rear haunches providing a powerful stance while also taking care of top storage duties. Changing from coupe to roadster, or vice versa, takes just nine seconds.

The V8 under the hood is genuine Ferrari as well, the same one found in the F430 in fact. If you need confirmation, just floor the right pedal; it’s a symphony of metallic notes that can only come from Maranello. With more than 450 horsepower available, the California can jump to 60 mph in less than four seconds on its way to a 193-mph top speed, thanks in part to its quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox with column-mounted shift paddles.

In true Ferrari tradition, the gearbox is mounted at the rear axle for optimum weight balance, making the California as responsive and agile as it is quick. The suspension features a choice of three electronically-controlled damper settings, letting you choose from comfort, sport or CST (a track mode that also changes traction settings) depending on whether you want to cruise boulevards or carve canyons.

Our Ferrari California is ready for your open-road adventure with the following features:

Leather trimmed interior
Folding hardtop convertible
7-speed F1 gearbox with paddle shifters
Satellite navigation
iPod integration

from Gotham Dream Cars