Ferrari California: latest details

Posted on 30 May, 2008

More details have emerged about the new 453bhp Ferrari California, along with a slew of new pictures. They show the folding roof, which takes 14 seconds to open, in action for the first time.

The new Ferrari California will have sharper performance, better fuel economy and superior luggage space to take the fight to its most-obvious rival, the Aston Martin DB9.

Latest details reveal the two-seat Ferrari to be shorter and wider than the 2+2 Aston while sitting on a 40mm shorter wheelbase.

The California’s 4.3-litre V8 will offer its drive 453bhp and power the new Ferrari to 62mph in under four seconds. Now Maranello has announced a fuel economy of 21mpg and emissions of 310g/km CO2, bettering both the manual and automatic versions of the Aston Martin DB9 and its next obvious rival, the Bentley Continental GT.

Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo confirmed that the California is aimed at everyday drivers: “The California is also exceptionally easy to drive and has a space behind the front seats that makes it supremely flexible in terms of usage” he said.

The ‘easy-driving’ Ferrari will also have relatively compact dimensions, at 4560mm long and 1900mm wide. It sits on a 2700mm wheelbase.