The Ferrari California made its debut in 2008 and is the company’s 2+2 hardtop convertible. It is a front engine, rear wheel drive grand touring sports car and was the first vehicle in four decades that did not carry an alphanumeric appendage.
The California is powered by a 4.3L V8 delivering 454 HP and 358 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or the company’s first seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
In its standard version, the Ferrari California’s V8 engine develops a total of 460 HP. Now, in true tuner fashion, Anderson Germany has increased the engine’s power by a total of 55 HP (to a total of 515 HP). To achieve that increase, the tuner reprogrammed the ECU and added a valve controlled stainless steel exhaust system. Unfortunately, the tuner did not release any details on how these changes affected the vehicle’s performance.
The package for the Ferrari California also includes a set of special light-weight 21 and 22" wheels and an adjustable damper that can either lower the ride by 35mm or raise it by 40mm. The exterior is also freshened up by a carbon-finished front spoiler lip, side skirt wings, rear diffuser, rear mud guard, side ventilation, and rear spoiler lip.
Not much of the interior was altered during this tuning makeover, but Anderson Germany did provide the vehicle with carbon fiber accents that will surely provide a classy sporty look. The air vents, radio facing, center consoles, door handles, rocker switches, and steering wheel facing are all coated in carbon fiber.
Ferrari will unveil a special edition California at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2-4, 2010. Following the tradition of the Berlinettas of the 1950s and 1960s, the new California Bi-Colore will feature a “bi-colore” roof, with the car painted in Argento Nurburgring (metallic silver) with the roof and A-pillar painted in Nero (black).
Next to this, the special edition will be distinguished by forged 20" matte black wheels with titanium wheel bolts, as well a host of "extra-campionaro" factory-fit options from the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme such as diamond-stitching on the rear seats and Cavallino stitching on headrests in Nero.
The Ferrari California is powered by a direct injection 4.3 V8 engine with 460hp, mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox. It comes with the latest F1-Trac traction control system, a new multi-link rear suspension, and, of course, an innovative retractable folding hardtop that opens or closes in only 14 seconds.
Marc Gene knows what its like to be sitting behind the wheel of a Formula One race car, so taking a couple of over-eager fellows out for a few laps at the Yas Island Formula 1 race track in Abu Dhabi while driving a Ferrari California should be nothing less than a walk in the park for Mr. Gene.
Man, did those lucky fellows get quite the ride. Gene pulls all of his tricks out of the bag, treating everyone fortunate enough to ride shotgun with him behind the wheel of the California a ride they probably won’t forget anytime soon.
And yes, we’re officially jealous. In case you’re wondering, that is.
At some point, you’d think that we would have gotten a little numb from all these exotic car wrecks we’ve been seeing for years now. But that assertion is as misplaced as saying that Toyota cars are safe.
You never get used to something like this, especially when something like a Ferrari is involved. Like in this case where a Ferrari California somehow rear-ended a BMW 5-Series, causing significant damage for both cars. While it’s not as spectacular as other car crashes we’ve seen in the past, the driver of the California is going to have to pay a pretty steep price not just to repair his exotic supercar, but also for that poor 5-Series that was pretty much just minding its own business.
Yes, we’ve been through this before; this is not the first time you’re seeing Novitec Rosso offering a tuning program for the Ferrari California.
But while Novitec already did quite a job the first time around, it seems the tuner has decided that it can do better. Well, they did; taking the engine performance of this California up to 606 horsepower - an increasing of 105 horsepower from their earlier work.
Also, this new tuning package has the cars peak torque going up to 603 NM, as well as the performance numbers: 0 - 60 mph is now made in just 3.8 seconds while top speed is up to an impressive 202 mph.
The aerodynamic kit includes: a new front spoiler, new rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers, a rear diffuser and rear spoiler lip and of course a set of three-piece Novitec Rosso NF3 wheels.
