2010 Ferrari California

The California is the newest Ferrari model to come out of the Pininfarina design studio, and will be the first ever front V8-engined chariot to wear the highly desired Prancing Horse badge. It revives a name from the brand's past, adorning the rump of the 250GT built between 1957 and 1959. Some of us may remember a replica of one such model getting destroyed on the big screen in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

"The Ferrari 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," the automaker said in a press release.

Let's get the oily bits out of the way first: Power will come from a 4.3-liter direct-injected V8, wailing out 454 horsepower at 7,600rpm. It will endow the car with a top speed of 193mph, Ferrari claims. Acceleration to the 62 mph benchmark is expected to take less than 4.0 seconds. Like in the company's 612 Scaglietti four-seater Grand Touring car, the engine sits entirely behind the front axle for a more balanced weight distribution.

Another first will include a new, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission mating to the engine, with shifts expected to take just as little time as with the automaker's earlier F1-derived automated manual transmissions, but adding smoothness to the process as well.

Reigning in the momentum generated by the above-mentioned partners in crime will be standard carbon ceramic brakes at all corners, which would also keep the forged alloy wheels clean of brake dust.

While the chassis and mechanicals are related to Maserati's Gran Turismo and the Alfa Romeo 8C, the California will be the only one of the triplets to feature a folding hardtop exclusively. The GT will sport a pair of cramped back seats and while small and 'only' sporting a V8, should be priced slightly below the exotic carmaker's four-seat 612 Scaglietti, which lists at about $270,000. Ferrari could ask anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000 for the car and get away with it, based on the public's reaction to its looks alone. The four-seat Maserati GranTurismo S, with less power and a lot less panache, lists for around $140,000.

Interestingly enough, the new Ferrari model actually started out life as a Maserati. The new model was developed under the codename M139 -- M for Maserati -- and was intended to complete Maserati's current lineup -- giving the Italian Marque the Quattroporte sports sedan, the GranTurismo coupe and a hardtop convertible. But after Ferrari's 2005 split from Maserati, Ferrari decided to keep the M139 program entirely for itself. As a result, the California rides on the GranTurismo platform.

Vehicle

• EPA Classification
  Minicompact
• EPA Air Pollution Score
  6
• EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
  2

Engine

• Engine Type
  Gas V8
• Displacement
  4.3L/262
• Fuel System
  DI
• SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
  453 @ 7750
• SAE Net Torque @ RPM
  357 @ 5000

Transmission

• Drivetrain
  Rear Wheel Drive
• Trans Type
  7-speed
• Trans Description Cont.
  Dual-Clutch
• Trans Description Cont. Again
  Automated Manual
• First Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Second Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Third Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Reverse Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Clutch Size (in)
  - TBD -
• Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -
• Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
  - TBD -

Mileage

• Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
  15
• EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
  13
• EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
  19

Electrical

• Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
  - TBD -
• Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
  - TBD -

Cooling System

• Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
  - TBD -

Weight Information

• Base Curb Weight (lbs)
  3825

Suspension

• Suspension Type - Front
  Double-Wishbone
• Suspension Type - Rear
  Multi-Link
• Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
  - TBD -
• Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
  - TBD -

Brakes

• Brake Type
  Pwr
• Brake ABS System
  4-Wheel
• Disc - Front (Yes or )
  Yes
• Disc - Rear (Yes or )
  Yes
• Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
  15.4 x 1.34
• Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
  14.2 x 1.26

Tires

• Front Tire Size
  245/40ZR19
• Front Tire Size
  245/35ZR20
• Rear Tire Size
  285/40ZR19
• Rear Tire Size
  285/35ZR20

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size (in)
  19 x - TBD -
• Front Wheel Size (in)
  20 x - TBD -
• Rear Wheel Size (in)
  19 x - TBD -
• Rear Wheel Size (in)
  20 x - TBD -
• Front Wheel Material
  Alloy
• Rear Wheel Material
  Alloy

Steering

• Steering Type
  Pwr Rack & Pinion
• Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
  - TBD -
• Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
  - TBD -
• Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
  - TBD -
• Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
  - TBD -

Fuel Tank

• Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
  20.6

Exterior Dimensions

• Wheelbase (in)
  105.1
• Length, Overall (in)
  179.6
• Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
  74.9
• Height, Overall (in)
  51.5
• Track Width, Front (in)
  64.2
• Track Width, Rear (in)
  63.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

• Trunk Volume (ft³)
  12

Interior Dimensions

• Passenger Capacity
  4
• Passenger Volume (ft³)
  75
• Front Head Room (in)
  - TBD -
• Front Leg Room (in)
  - TBD -
• Front Shoulder Room (in)
  - TBD -
• Front Hip Room (in)
  - TBD -

Summary

• Vehicle Name
  California
• Body Style
  2 Door Convertible