The Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car produced by the Italian manufacturer Ferrari N.V. It is a two-door 2+2 hard top convertible. When originally released, the California was powered by a front-mid mounted naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8; in 2014 Ferrari introduced the second generation of the model, named California T and using a new twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8. The car revives the name used on the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California and the 1960s 365 California. The California was originally introduced as the entry level of the model range, however, it included many new design innovations from Ferrari. The original base price was similar to the base of the F430 model. In 2018 the California was succeeded by the Ferrari Portofino.
Ferrari California (2008â€"2014)
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The California was launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. According to industry rumours, 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 represented a new, fourth model range for the company. The new model range (eight cylinder grand touring sports car) joined the then current models: the eight cylinder sports car, the twelve cylinder sports car, and the twelve cylinder grand touring car.
Design
The Ferrari California represented a radical new design by Pininfarina S.p.A. and was produced under the oversight of Ken Okuyama. The chassis was designed and manufactured by Ferrari division Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Overall, it 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 suspension
- The first with direct petrol injection
Bosch produced the direct injection system. The engine displaces 4,297 cubic centimetres (262.2 cubic inches), and used gasoline direct injection. It delivers 338Â kW (453Â bhp) at 7,750 rpm; its maximum torque produced is 485Â Nâ‹…m (358Â lbfâ‹…ft) at 5,000 rpm. The resulting 79Â kW (106Â bhp) 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. The engine makes use of a wet sump designed lubrication system. The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting.
Design Philosophy
The California model served as an important transition vehicle away from the long-standing traditional Ferrari design philosophy of third party collaborative input. The model migrated from Pininfarina design to the California T with primary in-house design coming from Centro Stile Ferrari. What started with the LaFerrari in the early 2010s has become the standard â€" Ferrari relying on in-house design.
Traction Control
The California is equipped with an exclusive Ferrari designed F1-Trac system. The system, originally introduced on the 599 GTB Fiorano, was updated for the model. The variable power distribution to the rear drive wheels allows greater stability and performance in roadway turns. The result is an average increase of 20% in acceleration when exiting curves (when compared to traditional traction control systems).
Configuration
The Grand Touring California was available with two passenger seating configurations. The first (2+2), included two rear seats that are limited in space and arguably only capable of accommodating small child safety seats. The second option (2+), replaced the rear seats with a bench storage area. This storage area could accommodate slightly more luggage or personal effects than the seats and included matching leather luggage tie-down belts.
Stop/Start Technology
The California was the first Ferrari to offer stop/start technology. What was offered as an option package and called the HELE system (High Emotion / Low Emission) allowed the engine to shut off while at extended idle and start again immediately upon driving. While this technology was not always well received by many of the Ferrari Tifosi, it did allow for substantial tax savings upon sale in certain governmental jurisdictions. Some would say the best aspect of this option was the ability to manually disengage it. Several other Ferrari models have also made this technology available.
Performance
The original 2010 California had a top speed of 310Â km/h (193Â mph) and it could accelerate from zero to 100Â km/h (62Â mph) in under four seconds. Although that model was 180 kilograms (397Â lb) heavier and 30Â PS (22Â kW; 30Â hp) less powerful than the mid-engined F430, the California reached 97Â km/h (60Â mph) 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 Cd=0.32, making it the most aerodynamic Ferrari ever made until the introduction of the Ferrari F12berlinetta.
Production
The California was made in a new, purpose built facility that was constructed adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello. This was part of Ferrari’s Formula Uomo program that started in 1997 to improve production, safety and employee happiness. Overall, the Ferrari production line(s) produce a total of about 27 cars per day, or between 6,000 and 8,000 vehicles per year.
About 8,000 Californias were produced between 2008 and 2012. Ferrari manufactured 1,219 California’s in calendar year 2013; 1,645 in calendar year 2014; and 2,638 in calendar year 2015 (Ferrari N.V. Stock Offering Prospectus, March 14, 2016; pp.44-46)
Throughout the California's production, only 3 cars were built with manual transmission, including one order from the UK.
California 30 variant - 2012 update
On 15 February 2012, Ferrari announced an upgrade of the 2009 model which is lighter and more powerful (California 30). While the Pininfarina design remained, the changes include reducing body weight by 30 kg (66 lb), increased power by output of 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) and 15 Nâ‹…m (11 lbfâ‹…ft), acceleration time from 0â€"100 km/h (62 mph) reduced to 3.8 seconds, introduction of Handling Speciale package and elimination of manual transmission following poor sales.
The car was released at the March 2012 Geneva Motor Show as a 2012 model in Europe and as a 2013 model year in North America. Deliveries began in Europe first. The “30†was produced in North American model years 2013 and 2014 only.
Engine
The updated engine continues on from the naturally aspirated Ferrari/Maserati family F136. Made entirely of aluminium, it retains many of the original features but delivers 360 kW (483 hp) at 7750 rpm; its maximum torque produced is 505 Nm (372 ft-lbs) at 5000 rpm. 75% of that torque is available at 2250 rpm. The engine’s sound - a feature that distinguishes every Ferrari - was engineered with the standard exhaust system to enhance the vehicle both with the cockpit open and closed.
The California 30 can be differentiated from the base California by the VIN number. In the 30 model, the VIN’s sixth digit (in North America) is “T†representing the F136ih engine. In the base model, the VIN’s sixth digit (again in North America) is “L†representing the earlier generation F136ib engine.
Chassis
The California 30 is the first from Maranello with a completely modular type chassis made entirely of new aluminum alloys. Its light weight (30kg reduction), with no loss in structural capacity provides an extremely high torsional rigidity value. (Ferrari S.p.A. 2012 - California 30 technical literature).
Handling Speciale package
To give the clients a more dynamic driving experience, an optional HS (Handling Speciale) package was developed as part of the update in 2012 (for the US 2013 model year). It can typically be recognized by a no cost option of a silver coloured grille and silver ventilation blisters behind the front wheel wells.
The HS package includes Delphi MagneRide magnetorheological dampers controlled by an ECU with 50% faster response time running patented Ferrari software, stiffer springs for more precise body control and a steering rack with a 9 per cent quicker steering ratio (2.3 turns lock to lock as opposed to the standard rack's 2.5).
Customization
Ferrari has historically been very open to working with customers to develop specific model variants or specialized features. In late 2011, this philosophy was taken up a step with the announcement of the Tailor Made Program. In the program, interested clients can work with Ferrari personal designers in Maranello to assist in decision making throughout the entire process The California 30 was one of the initial models to benefit from this service.
Recall
In May 2012, Ferrari recalled certain vehicles because the engine could freeze suddenly and possibly cause a crash. The F136 engines had crankshafts that were machined incorrectly. The auto maker learned of the problem when it happened during a review by car critics. Owners could choose from having a new engine installed by their dealer, having the engine removed and the work done by Ferrari North America or having a new crankshaft and bearings installed at the dealership. The recall was for a total of 200 vehicles worldwide that were produced in 2011 and 2012. Of those 200 affected vehicles, 74 were delivered to North America. The 200 recalled vehicles were from the California and 458 Italia models.
Ferrari California T (2014â€"2017)
The Ferrari California T is an updated design of the earlier California featuring new sheetmetal and revised body features , a new interior, a revised chassis and a new turbocharged powertrain. It debuted in 2014 for the 2015 model year.
First unveiled on the web on February 12, 2014, subsequently the car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6â€"16, 2014). The T in the moniker stands for Turbo, a technology Ferrari last used on a roadcar on the F40. The car utilizes a new 3,855 cc (3.9 L; 235.2 cu in) twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 560 PS (552 bhp; 412 kW) @ 7,500 rpm and 755 Nâ‹…m (557 lbâ‹…ft) of torque @ 4,750 rpm as well as a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox with different gear ratios, a revised magnaride' adaptive suspension, as well as a new F1 Trac system. The car can accelerate from 0â€"100 km/h (0â€"62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). The car also features a new front fascia that was influenced by the F12, a revised rear and a revised interior. Another improvement to the car is the reduction of emission pollution by 15% compared to its naturally aspirated predecessor. The car also utilizes small turbos and a variable boost management system to reduce turbo lag.
It is also the first car in which Ferrari has introduced the new Apple CarPlay functionality into its built-in infotainment system â€" Apple confirmed at the launch of the Geneva Motor Show that Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo would be among the first car manufacturers to bring CarPlay compatible models to market.
California T Handling Speciale (2016â€"2017)
Similarly to the previous generation, a Handling Speciale (HS) package was made available for the California T, providing sportier handling at the expense of a stiffer ride. Handling Speciale includes stiffer springs front and rear, retuned magnetorheological dampers, faster gear shifts when in Sport mode, reprogrammed F1-Trac stability control, and a new sport exhaust system. Visually HS package-equipped cars are distinguished by a matte grey grille and rear diffuser, matte black diffuser fences and matte black exhaust tailpipes.
The California T Handling Speciale vehicle (with two-tone Rosso Corsa Met bodywork and Nero Stellato roof, black interior with carbon-fibre details) was unveiled at the March 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Tailor Made
Through the Tailor Made programme, the California T was produced in several special editions and could also be customised to suit individual customers. For Ferrari's 70th birthday in 2017, this included 70 liveries inspired by past cars such as the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB and Steve McQueen's 1963 250 GT Berlinetta lusso. The California T Tailor Made liveries were unveiled at the March 2016 Geneva Motor Show and also shown at other shows such as the October 2016 Paris Motor Show.
Marketing
The California and California T have both been commemorated by Amalgam Collection in large 1:8 scale diecast replicas. These include both hard top and convertible versions. MR Collection and BBR Models have also produced 1:18 and 1:43 scale replicas in hard top and convertible versions, including several different liveries. These brand replicas are all collectible investment pieces. Manufacturers Bburago, Maisto, Looksmart and Kyosho have also produced diecast models in 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64 scale sizes. Hot Wheels manufactured at least six different California series in 1:18 and 1:43 scales.
References
External links
- Official website
