Ferrari->ke252 has introduced a bespoke California->ke3183 T created by the company's Tailor Made division at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show.->ke2470 Built specifically for the Chinese->ke2090 show, the California T "Tailor Made" illustrates how Ferrari's customization program allows clients to commission unique cars. The bespoke convertible joins the FF Dressage Edition and the F12berlinetta Polo Edition, which Ferrari unveiled with the same purpose when it opened its first Tailor Made Center in Asia Pacific in 2014.

But while the Dressage and Polo Editions were inspired by horsemanship and the game of polo, respectively, they also celebrated the Chinese Year of the Horse. The California T "Tailor Made" is inspired by two style icons from the past: actress Ingrid Bergman and former First Lady of the U.S., Jacqueline Kennedy. As usual, the Italians opted for an understated exterior and an extensively customized interior, with all sorts of unique and luxurious features.

Much like the FF Tailor Made showcased a few months ago, this California T is here to prove there’s always room to improve a Ferrari; all you need is a fat wallet.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari California T "Tailor Made" Edition.

Exterior

The exterior of this California T is as stock as it gets, but that's far from being an issue, as the convertible->ke144 is only a year old. Compared to the previous model, the styling is more aggressive, now featuring a more angular front grille, slimmer headlamps and a reworked engine hood. Out back, highlights include a revised air diffuser with three large fins and quad-exhaust pipes.

The car's exterior is finished in Grigio Ingrid. The color is named after Ingrid Bergman, who chose this shade of grey for the Ferrari 375->ke4129 MM she received in 1954 from her husband, film director Roberto Rossellini. The 375 MM was built as a one-off by Carrozzeria Pininfarina->ke69 and painted in a color that was not available for other Ferrari models at the time. The paint was later introduced for all production Ferraris.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior, on the other hand, is what makes the "Tailor Made" unique among other California Ts. Taking cues "...from the worlds of interior and furniture design as well as luxury goods," the cabin features a pair of seats wrapped in brown "count prestige" leather, a reference to the Kennedee chair designed by Jean Marie Massaud. The chair was influenced by the style of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who was known for her "impeccable taste not only in her own dress but in her 1961 redecoration of the White House." Fancy, though it's the kind of description I'd rather read for a bespoke American sedan,->ke142 say the Cadillac CT6.->ke4935

Anyway, these vintage cues are joined by matte-grey inserts on the dashboard and center console, and black Alcantara inserts in the seats. The floor mats are made of 100 percent pure virgin wool from New Zealand, with a natural jute background for a plush feel.

Drivetrain

What hasn't changed on this unique California T is the drivetrain. The "Tailor Made" Edition draws its oomph from the same 3.9-liter V-8 engine Ferrari introduced in 2014 to make the California T the first road-going turbocharged Ferrari since the F40,->ke434 which was discontinued in 1992. The newly developed powerplant uses direct injection and Ferrari's Variable Boost Management to produce 560 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque. That's a 77-horsepower and 184-pound-feet increase over the previous, naturally aspirated car.

The new engine not only brings quicker sprints from 0 to 62 mph, down to 3.6 seconds from 3.86, but also cuts fuel consumption by 15 percent and CO2 emissions by 20 percent. Top speed is 196 mph.

An improved seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, a revised MagnaRide adaptive suspension, and a new F1-Trac stability control system also contribute to the California T's astounding performance figures.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

Being an auto show car, the "Tailor Made" California T doesn't wear a sticker, but a similar model would probably fetch in excess $220,000. The standard model retails from $202,723.

Competition

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

The GT Speed Convertible might not be as nimble as the California T, but it does have enough power to take on Maranello's first turbocharged model in 22 years. Also powered by a turbo powerplant, the British drop-top employs a massive, 6.0-liter W-12 that pumps out 626 horsepower and 607 pound-feet of torque. Routed to all four wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic, it propels the heavy convertible from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Granted, that's about a half-second slower than the California T, but still very impressive for a car that tips the scales at over 5,000 pounds. And the Conti's top speed is higher than the Ferrari's, at 203 mph.

Although the second-generation Continental is already four years old, the GT Speed is fresh for 2015, having received a mild facelift that includes a redesigned front bumper, a revised grille, a more sculpted trunklid and a new rear diffuser. Interior updates include new dials and graphics for the instrument panel, a smaller diamond-quilting pattern for the front seats, and a range of new options. The GT Speed Convertible fetches in excess of $250,000 -- significantly more expensive than the California T. But then, who's counting?

Find out more about the Continental GT Speed in our review here.

Conclusion

I'm not a big fan of modern-day Ferraris, but I do have a soft spot for these Tailor Made creations. Their subtle appearance and exquisite cabins remind me of the cars Ferrari used to build in the 1960s, particularly the 250->ke1155 series, when each and every Prancing Horse was unique. The fact that the California T costs less than a Continental GT Speed Convertible, even when fitted with a Tailor Made-crafted interior, makes it that much more appealing to enthusiasts with fat wallets. Not to mention the California is pretty fuel-efficient for a Ferrari, now that it has a turbocharged engine.