Ferrari California

Ferrari California
Overview
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Maranello, Italy
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer
Body style	2-door, 2+2 coupé cabriolet
Layout	Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive

The Ferrari California is a grand touring sports car produced by the Italian manufacturer Ferrari. It is a two door "2+2" hard top convertible. When originally released, the California was powered by a front-mid mounted gasoline direct injection 4.3 L (260 cu in) V8 with 460 PS (338 kW; 454 hp).^[1] The car revives the "California" name used for the late-1950s Ferrari 250 GT.

California (2008–present)

Ferrari California (F149)
Overview
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	2008[2]–2013
Designer	Pininfarina
Layout	Front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	4.3 L Ferrari F136 I V8
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automated manual 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)[1]
Length	4,563 mm (179.6 in)[1]
Width	1,902 mm (74.9 in)[1]
Height	1,308 mm (51.5 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,630 kg (3,594 lb) (dry) [1]
Chronology
Successor	Ferrari California T

The California was launched at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. According to industry rumors, the California originally started as a concept for a new Maserati , but the resulting expense to produce the car led the Fiat Group to badge it as a Ferrari in order to justify the high cost of purchase; the company denies this, however.^[3] The California represents a new, fourth model range for the company.^[4]

Design

The California 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 petrol injection

Bosch produced the direct injection system. The engine displaces 4,297 cubic centimetres (262.2 cubic inches) and delivers 338 kW (453 bhp) at 7,750 rpm; its maximum torque produced is 485 N·m (358 lbf·ft) at 5,000 rpm. The resulting 79 kW (106 bhp) per litre of engine displacement is one of the highest for a naturally aspirated engine, as other manufacturers have used supercharging or turbocharging to reach similar power levels.^[5] It is considered likely that the next version of the California will be turbocharged.^[6]

The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting.

Performance

	2009 Ferrari California
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The original 2010 California had a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) and it could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under four seconds.^[1] Although that model was 180 kilograms (397 lb) heavier and 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) less powerful than the mid-engined F430, the California reached 97 km/h (60 mph) in the same time as the F430 due to the dual-clutch transmission.

Aerodynamics

Ferrari spent over 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel with a one-third-scale model of the California perfecting its aerodynamics. With the top up, the California has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.32, making it the most aerodynamic Ferrari ever made^[7] until the introduction of the Ferrari F12berlinetta.

Production

The California is built in a new production line adjacent to the existing factory at Maranello.^[3][8] The existing production line produces 27 cars per day, or 6,000 per year.

Throughout California's production, only 2 cars had been built with manual transmission,^[9] including one order from the UK.^[10]

2012 update

On 15 February 2012, Ferrari announced an upgrade of the 2009 model which is lighter and more powerful. Changes include reducing body weight by 30 kg (66 lb), increased power by output of 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) and 15 N·m (11 lbf·ft), acceleration from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time reduced to 3.8 seconds, introduction of Handling Speciale package and elimination of manual transmission following poor sales.^[11]

The car was released at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show as a 2012 model in Europe and as a 2013 model year for the US.^[12]

Delivery began in Europe.^[13]

Handling Speciale package

To give the clients a more dynamic driving experience, an optional HS (Handling Speciale) package was developed as part of the update in 2012 (for the US 2013 model year). It can be recognized by a silver colored grille and ventilation blisters behind the front wheelwells.

The HS package includes Delphi MagneRide magnetorheological dampers controlled by an ECU with 50% faster response time running patented Ferrari software, stiffer springs for more precise body control^[14] and a steering rack with a 9 per cent quicker steering ratio (2.3 turns lock to lock as opposed to the standard rack's 2.5).^[15]

Recall

In May 2012, Ferrari recalled the California because the engine could freeze suddenly and possibly cause a crash. The F136 engines had crankshafts that were machined incorrectly. The auto maker learned of the problem when it happened during a review by car critics. Owners could choose from having a new engine installed by their dealer, having the engine removed and the work done by Ferrari North America or having a new crankshaft and bearings installed at the dealership.^[16]

California T (2014–)

Ferrari California T (F149M)
Overview
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	2014–present
Designer	Centro Stile Ferrari
Layout	Front-engined, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.9 L Ferrari F154 twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission	7-speed dual clutch automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length	4,570 mm (179.9 in)
Width	1,910 mm (75.2 in)
Height	1,322 mm (52.0 in)
Kerb weight	1,625 kg (3,583 lb) (dry)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ferrari California

The Ferrari California T is an update of the earlier California featuring new sheetmetal, new interior, a revised chassis and a new turbocharged powertrain.

First unveiled on the web on February 12, 2014, subsequently the car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6–16, 2014). The T in the moniker stands for Turbo, a technology Ferrari last used on a roadcar on the F40. The car utilizes a new 3.9 liter bi-turbo V8 that produces 552 bhp (412 kW; 560 PS) @ 7,500 rpm and 557 lbs/torque @ 4,750 rpm as well as an improved 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, a revised magnaride' adaptive suspension, as well as a new F1 trac system. The car can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 kmh) in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h). The car also features a new front fascia that was influenced by the F12, a revised rear and a revised interior. Another improvement to the car is the reduction of emission pollution by 15% compared to its naturally aspirated predecessor. The car also utilizes small turbos and a variable boost management system to create no turbo lag.

It is also the first car in which Ferrari has introduced the new Apple CarPlay functionality into its built-in infotainment system – Apple confirmed at the launch of the Geneva Motor Show that Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo would be among the first car manufacturers to bring CarPlay compatible models to market.^[17][18]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ferrari California.

• Official websites for California, California T
• Photoshoot of a Ferrari California

Ferrari A 90% subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Current Cars 458 California T F12berlinetta FF LaFerrari Future 488 Past 125 S 159 S 166 Inter 166 S 195 Inter 212 Export 250 250 GT Lusso 250 GTO 275 288 GTO 308 GTB/GTS 328 348 330 360 365 365 GT 2+2 365 GTC/4 375 MM 400 456 550 575M Maranello 599 612 Scaglietti America Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 Berlinetta Boxer California Daytona Enzo GT4 F355 F40 F50 F430 Mondial Testarossa P Concepts Millechili Modulo Mythos P4/5 by Pininfarina Commons

« previous — Ferrari road car timeline, 1996–present
Type		1990s				2000s										2010s
		6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6
8 cylinder	Mid-engine berlinetta				360										458
									Challenge Stradale					F430 Scuderia					458 Speciale
		F355								F430											488 GTB
	Convertible													California						California T
12 cylinder	Grand tourer	550 Maranello						575M Maranello				599 GTB Fiorano						F12berlinetta
						550 Barchetta					575 Superamerica					599 GTO					F60 America
	2+2 coupé	456		456 M						612 Scaglietti							FF
Limited production supercar		F50							Enzo										LaFerrari
XX Programmes											FXX			FXX Evoluzione		599XX	599XX Evo				FXX-K