The Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car that was launched by Ferrari at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It is a two door "2+2" hard top convertible. The California is powered by front-mid mounted gasoline direct injection 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8, sending a claimed 460 PS (340 kW; 450 hp). The car revives the "California" name used for the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT.
According to industry rumors, the California originally started as a concept for a new Maserati, but the resulting expense to produce the car led the Fiat Group to badge it as a Ferrari in order to justify the high cost of purchase; the company denies this, however. The California represents a new, fourth model range for the company.
ProductionThe California will be built in a new production line adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello. The existing production line produces 27 cars per day, or 6,000 per annum. Ferrari plans to produce 5,000 Californias in the first two years of production, thereby increasing Ferrari production by 50% with introduction of this nameplate. The California, according to many motoring magazines, is sold out until 2011, with 60% of buyers being new to the Ferrari marque.
DesignThe California represents a number of firsts for Ferrari:
The first front engined Ferrari with a V8
The first to feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission
The first with a folding metal roof
The first with multi-link rear suspensionThe first front engined Ferrari with a V8
The first to feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission
The first with a folding metal roof
The first with direct petrol injection
Bosch produced the direct injection system. The engine displaces 4,297 cubic centimeters, delivering 338 kilowatts (460 horsepower) at 7,750 revs per minute, with a the maximum torque is 485 Newton meters at 5,000 revs per minute. The resulting 107 horsepower per litre of engine displacement is one of the highest for a naturally aspirated engine, as other manufacturers have used supercharging or turbocharging to reach similar power levels.
PerformanceThe California has a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) and it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds. Although 180 kilograms (397 lb) heavier and 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) less powerful than the mid-engined F430, the California reaches 60 mph (97 km/h) in the same time as the F430 due to the dual-clutch transmission.
Aerodynamics
Ferrari spent over 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel with a one-third-scale model of the California perfecting its aerodynamics. With the top up, the California has a drag coefficient of 0.32, making it the most aerodynamic Ferrari ever made.
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