We're here on the Ferrari stand at the Paris Motor Show, with what is undoubtedly one of the stars of this huge show. It's the new Ferrari California. Now this car recalls the classic Ferrari California Spider of the late fifties and early sixties and it also sets a lot of firsts for Ferrari.
It's the first front engine V8 powered Ferrari in the company's history. Its also the first car with a retractable hardtop, fully retractable hardtop in metal, much like a Mercedes-Benz SL. It's also the first Ferrari to have the company's new transaxle, that's a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle. It's appearing in this car first but there is no question it will work its way out. There are many other models in the Ferrari lineup.
Now, the old questions. How much, how fast, how big? Well, 460 Horsepower from this direct injection V8, Ferrari says that will make the California run from 0 to 60 in something under 4 seconds, a top speed of close to 200 miles an hour.
Now let's remember this is not a little sports car, this is not an extreme mid-engine sports car like the 430 is, this is a cruiser, but cruiser and Ferrari speak -- still means plenty fast and plenty capable, as a lot of a aluminum and carbon fiber construction, great performance as you would expect but also a car you can take on a long drive, go a long way.
Now there is no price bid announced yet but you may not have to worry because the first two years of production have already been sold out. Now, in terms of the name California well, you would have to sort a wonder, where they are going to sell more of these cars than any other place in the world? California, of course.
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