Ferrari California

While the California has had plenty of publicity in recent weeks, thanks to a Perth journo getting pinched road testing at 230 km/h we at least know not that there was much doubt that this is a seriously fast piece of machinery.

The Ferrari California, one of the most anticipated new cars to be launched in 2009, has arrived in Australia.

The California takes the legendary super car maker into a whole new area of the market, providing it with its first ever front mid-engined V8 powered grand touring car, broadening the appeal of Ferrari and opening the marque to a new generation of customers.

"The Ferrari California does not extend the Ferrari range up or down the market," explains Kevin Wall, General Manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand. "Rather, it broadens the appeal of Ferrari within its existing price sector. Thus Ferrari now has two aggressive sports cars, the 599 GTB Fiorano and the F430, complimented respectively by two grand touring cars, the 612 Scaglietti and now, the Ferrari California."

The Ferrari California is the first ever front mounted V8 Ferrari, though, to be strictly accurate as the engine and drivetrain sit entirely between the axle lines, it is as much a mid-engined car as the F430. The mid-front mounted V8 engine, although built to the classic 90 degree V8, is all new and features direct fuel injection, cutting emissions.

The engine has a total displacement of 4,300cc and a maximum power output of 338 kW at 7,750 rpm. Its maximum torque is 485 Nm at 5,000 rpm, 75% of which is available at just 2,250 rpm. The Ferrari California takes less than 4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and delivers a blistering 310 km/h top speed.

Also new for Ferrari is the dual clutch gearbox, the folding metal roof and the multilink suspension that blends traditional Ferrari handling and adhesion to the road with a new level of ride quality and comfort.

Unique transmission

The Ferrari California sports a new dual clutch gearbox (7-speed + reverse) with the now traditional steering wheel mounted F1-style paddles. This is an innovative system that guarantees a superb combination of performance and ride comfort. With the dual clutch, one clutch is used for even numbered gears and the other for odd numbered ones, and allows the pre selection of the next gear required. The gears are changed by overlapping the opening and closing stage of both clutches, resulting in gearshifting times that are close to zero and with no "torque interrupt".

But, regardless of the comfort and luxury, the California is still a Ferrari and a 0-100 kmh time of less than four seconds and a top speed in excess of 310 kmh where the law permits, means that the California remains a true super car.

The Ferrari California has a RRP before statutory and delivery charges of $472,000.