I Love This Car!

*Sigh* Will I ever get to drive and own this car... The 2009 Ferrari California. This photo was taken at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

A lot of new models from different reputable car manufacturers were made for the Show, but I liked this best, for a lot of reasons I don't even know where to begin. It was love at first sight. =) Watch me, I'm asking Santa for one on Christmas. haha JK! :)

Mike Monticello said, "the photos don't do this car justice, the Ferrari California looks absolutely stunning in person."



It has a fully retractable hardtop, with dual-clutch transmission. It's the first-ever production Ferrari with a front-mounted V-8. It is packed with the latest and greatest from the engineers in Maranello.

Ferrari says the California "is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever."

Features:

• can be ordered in a 2+2 configuration — children seating only — or for more storage space for weekend outings
• top is slick in its operation, and only takes 14 seconds to go from open to fully closed
• 4.3-liter direct-injected flat-crank V-8 produces 460 bhp
• Ferrari's first dual-clutch gearbox with not six speeds, as on every other recent Ferrari, but seven forward gears
• Ferrari claims the California will be able to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4 seconds.
• steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles
  
• new suspension system (double wishbones at the front and multilink at the rear)
• new evolved F1-Trac traction control system and Brembo brakes with CCM (carbon ceramic material) discs as standard (this latter feature is shared by the other models in the current range)
• new aluminium-trimmed centre console
• Ferrari California's chassis and bodyshell are both made entirely from aluminium
• has an ejectable roll-bar to ensure that its occupants are protected should the car overturn - Ejection time is under 190ms
• front retractable airbags (driver and passenger sides), side retractable air bags in door panels, bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lights
• panel with analogue instruments (tachometer and rev counter) and four-screen TFT Multidisplay
• new infotainment system with 6.5'' touchscreen, Sat Nav, USB connection, Bluetooth, hard disc, voice commands and IPOD connector

FERRARI CALIFORNIA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
  • Length: 4563 mm
  • Width: 1902 mm
  • Height: 1308 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2670 mm
  • Front track: 1630 mm
  • Rear track: 1605 mm
  • Dry weight: 1630 kg
  • Kerb weight: 1735 kg
  • Weight distribution: 47% Front - 53% Rear
  • Fuel tank capacity: 78 l
  • Boot capacity: 340 l, 240 l (with roof retracted)
• TYRES
  • Front: 245/40 ZR19"
  • Rear: 285/40 ZR19"
  • Front (optional): 245/35 ZR20"
  • Rear (optional): 285/35 ZR20""
• CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKES
  • Front: 390 x 34 mm
  • Rear: 360 x 32 mm
• ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • CST with F1-TRAC Stability and Traction Control System
  • TPTMS Tyre Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System
• ENGINE
  • 90° V8 Direct Injection
  • Bore and stroke: 94 x 77.37 cc
  • Overall displacement: 4297 cc
  • Compression ratio: 12.2:1
  • Maximum power output: 338 kW (460 CV) @ 7750 rpm
  • Maximum torque: 485 Nm (49 kgm) @ 5000 rpm
• PERFORMANCE
  • Maximum speed: 310 km/h
  • 0-100 km/h: under 4.0 sec
  • 0-400 m: 12.2 sec
  • 0-1.000 m: 22.1 sec
• GEARBOX
  • F1, dual-clutch, 7-speed plus reverse
  • Manual 6-speed + REV
• SUSPENSION
  • Front: Double wishbone
  • Rear: Multilink
• FUEL CONSUMPTION
  • ECE Combined: 13.1 l/100 km
• CO2 EMISSIONS
  • ECE Combined: 305.6 g/km

The Ferrari California is available in a choice of 16 different pastel and metallic colours, and it's priced in the range of the F430. According to rsportscars.com, it's base price is rumored to be just under $200,000. It's veeerrry expensive for me. I wish I'll win the lottery or something. hehe

Top & Bottom Photo by John Lamm
References: http://autos.yahoo.com/ and http://www.netcarshow.com/
Photo Gallery by www.netcarshow.com
Official Website: www.ferraricalifornia.com