September 26, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

FerrariÕs new California dream car makes its debut at Paris Show
By Neil Winton

LONDON, September 26, Graphic News:  Most car manufacturers at the Paris Car Show will either be wringing their hands about economic prospects or bragging about the environmental friendliness of their engines; but not Italian luxury sports car maker Ferrari.

Mass car manufacturers are battening down the hatches to ride out the storm of falling sales and rising costs that threaten to devastate bottom lines. The worry is that a world economic recession will decimate the industry. Only the strong will survive.

But Ferrari, with its super-rich customer base and fleet of over-the-top, gas-guzzling sports cars, sails on regardless. It will unveil its new California supercar at the Paris Show and you wonÕt find many sops to the green movement in the specification.

The California will be powered by a new 4.3 litre V8 engine with direct fuel injection generating 460bhp at 7,500rpm, blasting the car from rest to 60mph-100km/h in under four seconds. Ferrari hasnÕt revealed the top speed yet. The California uses a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that reduces fuel consumption to about 17.5mpg-16.1-l/100kms. ThereÕs a new multilink rear suspension. The California is also equipped with the Formula 1 traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano, which includes Launch Control. This slings the car forward from rest at maximum efficiency. The Brembo brakes feature carbon-ceramic discs.

The California will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. There is room for two rear seats, but itÕs not clear yet whether they will be big enough for people. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range.

According to former Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, who has been testing the car for Ferrari, the California is really something of a pussy cat.

ÒThe Ferrari California is designed for everyday use and for weekends away whilst still guaranteeing all of the emotional impact that only an authentic Ferrari can deliverÓ, Schumacher said.

The rest of the model range -- the F430 V8, V-12 599 GTB Fiorano and V-12 612 Scaglietti -- are apparently aimed at buyers who want to bomb around race-tracks. The California will be FerrariÕs ÒcheapestÓ car, probably priced at around Û160,000 (£127,000) when it goes on sale at the start of 2009, competing against the Porsche 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and Audi R8.

Ferrari, which is owned by Fiat, is expected to more than double sales in the next 10 years, and see them accelerate by more than 50 percent by 2010 to 10,000. The California is expected to contribute 2,500 in 2009 and 4,500 in 2010.

Meanwhile the biennial Paris show, which opens to the public from October 4-19, features important new models like the VW Golf, Renault Megane, Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Ka, Audi Q5, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and Chevrolet Cruze. Many of them will feature nifty new ways to save fuel, or be offered at temptingly low prices. All of them will struggle to sell, unlike the Ferrari California.
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Ferrari California

Engine Ð 4.3 litre V8
Power Ð 460bhp @ 7,500rpm
Drive Ð rear wheels
Gearbox Ð 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Acceleration Ð 0-60mph-100km/h Ð under 4 seconds
Top speed Ð not revealed
Fuel consumption Ð combined Ð 17.5mpg-16.1-l/100kms
C02 Ð 310g/km
Length Ð 4,560mm
Width Ð 1,900mm
Wheel-base Ð 2,700mm
Boot capacity 360 litres (260 litres with roof stowed)
Competition Ð Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8
Price - Û160,000 / £127,000
/ENDS