Designed to satisfy the most demanding owners with superb dynamics and a pleasurable driving experience on and off the track, the Ferrari California is a grand touring, retractable folding hard top convertible launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. You don’t have to travel overseas to experience the car firsthand; at Ferrari of Atlanta, we have a California ready for your test drive and are actively taking orders. Read on to learn more about your new Ferrari.

Automobile Magazine: “A grand tourer in the traditional sense of the word, Ferrari's hard-top convertible is smooth and luxurious.”

The California is the ultimate choice for those who want a car that embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents -- sporty design, innovation and versatility for a thrilling driving experience on the track or everyday. The car revives the "California" name and styling cues seen in the 1957 250 California, an elegant open top car. Its sleek look is due to a longstanding collaboration with Pininfarina. Viewed from the side, an aerodynamic sweep beautifully contrasts with the compact tail and the pulled-back cabin. The front features an impressive grille and slender air intakes, while the single round LED taillights, inset along the edge of the trunk, and the vertically stacked twin tailpipes add an impressive rear flourish.

Yet, it is substance just as much as style that defines the California. Built entirely from aluminum, the California's aerodynamics cut drag, improve performance and reduce fuel consumption. Particular attention was paid to engine sound in the cabin with the top up and down, ensuring that trademark thrill without compromising occupant acoustic comfort.

Motor Trend: “Picturesque scenery and perfect weather combined with beautiful twisty mountain roads made for a most memorable drive through the Italian countryside. The first thing we noted is how smooth the ride is… but trust us, it still lives up to the Ferrari name.”

Delivering blistering performance, the steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles control the dual clutch gearbox; one is used for even-numbered gears and the other for odd-numbered ones. Gears are changed by overlapping the opening and closing stage of both clutches, resulting in gearshift times that are close to zero. The traditional transaxle layout also contributes to the California's near-perfect weight distribution, an innovative suspension absorbs road unevenness, and noise and vibration are damped for an exceptionally comfortable ride.

The car’s signature feature: the retractable hard top, constructed from aluminum panels with a cast aluminum weight-bearing structure for maximum strength and minimum weight. The entire opening/closing cycle is completed in just 14 seconds and an original stowage system ensures trunk space remains extremely generous whether the top is up or down.

The California’s interior is subdued and gorgeous and reflects the highest levels of sophistication, refined luxury, comfort and quality. The cabin is available as a two-seater plus rear bench or a 2+2 with two rear seats and seat belts. In both versions, the rear backrest folds down to accommodate longer items such as golf bags or skis.

Technical specifications

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Length: 179.6 inches
Width: 75 inches
Height: 51 inches
Wheelbase: 105 inches
Dry weight: 3,571 lbs
Kerb weight: 3,825 lbs
Maximum speed: 192 mph
0-62 mph in under 4 sec
F1, dual-clutch, 7-speed plus
reverse or manual 6-speed plus reverse

Ferrari Firsts

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With a nod to the styling and emotions of the past, the car also 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 fuel injection

Another new feature is the instrument panel with analog tachometer and rev counter, and four-screen TFT Multidisplay. The California also boasts a new infotainment system with 6.5'' touchscreen, Sat Nav, USB connection, Bluetooth, hard disc, voice commands and IPOD connector. The result is the ultimate in luxurious comfort coupled with the latest technological innovations.

The manettino is one of Ferrari’s classic features with its position on the steering wheel clearly derived from Formula 1 experience. Settings include: comfort (best everyday driving setting); sport (maximum performance and stability in high performance driving); and CST-OFF (no electronic intervention other than ABS.)

Want to personalize your California? The Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme allows clients to fulfill their desires, offering 17 exterior colors, including Azzurro California, a shade reintroduced especially for the car's launch. Interior selections include the usual range of 12 leather colors plus two new colors, Cioccolato and Iroko. Other options include a new racing seat with all-carbon-fiber frame and electrically adjustable backrest. For an extra-high polished look, the California comes standard with diamond-finish 19" 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels; a set of lighter weight diamond-finish 20" forged 5-spoke alloy wheels can also be ordered. Owners can also choose a rear parking camera or the luggage set designed specifically to make the most of the rear bench.

The new California symbolizes not only sportiness and performance, but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication. Stop by our showroom to experience this much-anticipated beauty, and see the exciting materials and configurations that make the Ferrari California absolutely unique.


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