German Car Zone

Mazara del Vallo, Italy — Seems odd introducing a car with the name California in Sicily. But for logistical purposes of cycling the world's press through the launch of its newest addition to the line, Ferrari chose well. The climate and mountains-meet-the-sea terrain of this Mediterranean island are not far removed from the Golden State. It is also the land of my grandfather, so there is a strange symmetry to having a California resident of Italian descent driving a Ferrari California in Sicily. And the parallels match the spirit of this car — one that has been mischaracterized since spy photos of this front-engine V-8 began appearing well over two years ago. It has been variously described as a replacement for the F430 or a "baby" Ferrari, a reincarnation of the Dino. Over dinner, Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo couldn't be more emphatic about the car's pedigree — it is a full-fledged member of the family and the final missing link between the extreme sports car experience offered by the F430 and the Grand Turismo approach of the front-engine V-12-powered 612 Scaglietti and 599 GTB Fiorano. Priced right on the F430 coupe at about $225,000, the California is anything but an entry-level Ferrari.

In bridging this gap between the V-8 and V-12 cars, the California represents multiple firsts for the Italian automaker. The California is the first front-engine V-8 production car in the company's storied 61-year history. The California is also the first to offer a fully retractable hardtop. Ditto for the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic from Getrag. And the use of direct injection on the 4.3-liter V-8.

So many firsts, so little time. We would get just one day to spend with the California and made the most of it. Having seen the car on the show stand at Paris and out on the street in Sicily, I was left with two different impressions. At the show, I remember overhearing criticisms of the car's styling — the harsh lighting and elevated perch above the show floor seemed to show off all the design's shortcomings. From a low angle, the car seems bulbous, thanks to the clearance required for the three-piece folding hardtop. The front hood scoop — which pays homage to the original California — looks tacked on, the side creases a bit contrived.

But plant the car down on terra firma out in the real world and those concerns diminish. The flowing fenders and wide stance help unify the diverse styling cues and the car looks more of a piece, top up or down. With the lid in place, the California has a hunkered-down appearance, due largely to the thick and steeply raked C-pillars. Stow the top, and the car adopts a more devil-may-care attitude — picture a pretty blonde behind the wheel with a flowing scarf (an obvious target demographic for this crossover between sports and GT segments).


Full Article: Road and Track - Special Feature: 2009 Ferrari California


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