Ferrari California
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008-present[1]- |
| Assembly | Maranello, Italy |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door, 2+2 coupé cabriolet |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine | 4,297 cc (262.2 cu in) 90° V8 |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual 6-speed Manual (was announced, but has not been observed in production) |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in)[2] |
| Length | 4,563 mm (179.6 in)[2] |
| Width | 1,902 mm (74.9 in)[2] |
| Height | 1,308 mm (51.5 in)[2] |
| Curb weight | 1,630 kg (3,594 lb) (dry) [2] |
| Related | Maserati GranTurismo Maserati GranCabrio Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione[citation needed] |
| Designer | Pininfarina (exterior) Bertone (interior)[citation needed] |
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 with 460 PS (340 kW; 450 hp).[2] 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.[3] The California represents a new, fourth model range for the company.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Production
The California will be built in a new production line adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello.[3] 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.[3] The California, according to many motoring magazines, is sold out until 2011, with 60% of buyers being new to the Ferrari marque.[5]
[edit] Design
The 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 suspension
- 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, 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. [6]
[edit] Performance
 |
|
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |
The California has a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) and it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds.[2] 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.
[edit] 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.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ "Ferrari California Begins Production on New Line". worldcarfans.com. http://www.worldcarfans.com/1080626851/ferrari-california-begins-production-on-new-line. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g "FERRARI CALIFORNIA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS". italiaspeed.com. http://www.italiaspeed.com/2008/cars/ferrari/10/california_new_model/0710.html. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ a b c Rufford, Nick (2008-10-19). "Ferrari California". London: The Sunday Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/videos/article4961501.ece. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ "California dreaming". Top Gear. 2008-05-13. http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2843/. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
- ^ "Paris Auto Show: Ferrari California Sold Out 'til 2011". The Truth About Cars. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/10/paris-auto-show-ferrari-california-sold-out-til-2011/. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ "Bosh provides gasoline direct injection for the new Ferrari California". Inautonews.com. http://www.inautonews.com/bosh-provides-gasoline-direct-injection-for-the-new-ferrari-california. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ Ferrari California First Drive: new car signals new direction for company Retrieved on 2008-12-06
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ferrari California |
- Ferrari California official website
- Photoshoot of a Ferrari California
| « previous — Ferrari road car timeline, 1960s–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | ||
| FR/FMR/4WD | Luxury Coupe | 250GT | 330GT | 365GT | 365GTC/4 | GT4 2+2 | 400 | 400i | 412 | 456 | 456 M | 612 | FF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Tourer | California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super Grand Tourer | 250 | 275 | 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 550 Maranello | 575M | 599 Fiorano | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| America | 330 | 365 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| V12 Supercar | 250 GTO | 599 GTO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RMR | V8 / V6 | Dino 206 | Dino 246 GT | 308GTB | 308i | 308 QV | 328 | 348 | 360 | 458 Italia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 246 GTS | 308 GTS | 208 | 208 Turbo | GTB/GTS Turbo | F355 | F430 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2+2 | Dino GT4 | Mondial 8 | Mondial QV | 3.2 Mondial | Mondial t | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| flat-12 | 365BB | 512 BB | 512 BBi | Testarossa | 512TR | F512M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supercar | 250 LM | 288 GTO | F40 | F50 | Enzo Ferrari | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
