Overview
Ferrari unveiled the California at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, and it was a different kind of Ferrari. It was the company’s most approachable model, meant to appeal to buyers who wanted a stylish, easy-to-live-with grand tourer rather than a hardcore sports car. The name revives a famous badge from the 1950s and 60s, the 250 GT California Spider. Pininfarina’s design is smooth and understated, with a long bonnet, a short tail and a folding metal roof, which made it Ferrari’s first production car with a retractable hardtop. With the roof up it looks like a sleek coupe, and with it down it’s an open-top two-plus-two. Some Ferrari purists weren’t sure about it at first, but it found a large and loyal audience.
Engine and Performance
Up front, mounted low and well back in the chassis, sits a 4.3-litre V8 with direct injection, another first for a Ferrari road car. It produced about 460 PS (338 kW) and 485 Nm of torque, and it pulls cleanly from low revs and climbs eagerly toward the redline. Power goes through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the first of its kind in a Ferrari, which shifts quickly and smoothly and works well in town. The California reached 100 km/h in about 3.9 seconds and had a top speed of over 310 km/h (193 mph). A manual gearbox was never offered.
Chassis and Handling
The California uses an aluminium space-frame and body, with the engine and gearbox positioned to give a near-ideal weight balance. It was also the first Ferrari with a multilink rear suspension, and it had the E-Diff electronic differential and the manettino dial, which changes the stability control and suspension settings. Magnetorheological dampers and carbon-ceramic brakes were available as options. It isn’t as sharp as the mid-engined V8 cars, but it’s composed, comfortable and quick enough to be fun on a good road. The later California 30, introduced in 2012, was lighter and more powerful at around 490 PS, and it felt keener as a result.
Interior and Comfort
Inside, the California is a relaxed place to spend time. The leather-trimmed cabin has supportive front seats, a clear dashboard and a steering wheel with the start button and manettino. There are two small rear seats that suit children or short trips, and they fold to create extra luggage space. With the roof up, the boot is a usable size, which makes the California a practical car for weekends away. It’s easily the most comfortable Ferrari of its time for everyday driving.
Production and Legacy
Production ran from 2008 to 2014, and the California became one of Ferrari’s best sellers, with well over 10,000 cars built. It was replaced by the California T, which brought in a turbocharged V8 and was later followed by the Portofino. The California is often described as an entry point to Ferrari ownership, and that’s partly why it’s sometimes undervalued. It’s a car that works as a daily driver, and used examples can be a relatively affordable way into the brand.
