A Ferrari Created for the USA!
 

California Dreamin'


Following a series of exclusive previews attended by celebrities and invited guests in the U.S. and Italy, the public’s first chance to see the Ferrari California for real will start when the Paris Motor Show opens its doors to them.

With the next two years’ production already sold out, any new customers will have to wait until 2011 for their car to be delivered. Sounds like a success, but Ferrari’s president Luca di Montezemolo could see a downside. “A car is like a good looking woman,” said Ferrari’s president. “You desire her but you have to wait for her... but if you wait too long, you start to look elsewhere.” Hard to see how anyone but an Italian aristocrat would get away with that.

The V8-engined California is Ferrari’s first coupe-cabriolet, with a folding hard top. The transformation takes 13 seconds. di Montezemolo expounded its benefits: “You see that it’s a nice day...you press the button... you take care of your shirt or whatever... you are driving a Spyder.”

Designed for the “beautiful coastal roads of California”, the four-seater California offers a more relaxed and easy driving style than the two-seat 430 with its racier feel. Thanks to the extra two seats, you have more flexibility: among the uses suggested by Ferrari are skis, dogs and children; but not necessarily in that order. It’s still a Ferrari, though: 0-60 mph comes up in less than 3.9 seconds, there’s a seven-speed F1-style transmission, and Formula One champion Michael Schumacher helped develop the car and hone its dynamics and driving characteristics.

The California is also the first car to incorporate Ferrari’s new commitment to improved efficiency, with its direct injection engine achieving CO2 emissions of “only” 305g/km.

Other newly developed features include the multi-link rear suspension and traction control system.

Ferrari may not be much affected by the credit crunch, but there was still a downbeat moment at the presentation. It came as di Montezemolo paid a poignant tribute to legendary designer Andrea Pininfarina, eponymous head of the design company, who was tragically killed in a scooter accident a few weeks ago. “This is our first motor show without Andrea,” he said. “I miss him as a friend and as a collaborator. There is a lot of Andrea in this car and I am glad his family are here to see it today.”

Here's a 360 view

:facepalm:... just :facepalm:

I may be a GM fanatic, but even I think this is sacrilege.

I mean it looks like a Jag and a Aston Martin had sex, and the result was some italian thing with fetal alcohol syndrome.

I like the headlights and the car seat....lol

well its not ferrari's most beatuiful car but it doesnt got some nice things to it. to bad the waiting list for one is 2 years or else i would consider buying one lol.

I completely disagree. Although I really don't like the back seat.

Damn a couple of years ago i was bored in my study hall class and
I drew almost a exact replica of the back of the Ferrari California

although my drawing looked more like a lambo

no this is "A Ferrari created for the USA", that was made just for us Californians
http://www.autoplenum.de/Bilder/P/p0...2005-2006-.jpg

I actually like it, and I'm not a big Ferrari fan.

What is the price on those? Not like I can afford one..lol. Just curious. Besides, I live in Pittsburgh...those types of cars are not built for terrain like this.

I once seen a guy in a Ford GT wreck his front end in a pothole here. Felt so bad for the guy.

I like it too, but that would probably be a weekend car

Only around $200,000.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=135446

It's a cool car, but I'd much rather have an F430 or 599GTB. Baby seat is bada$$ though!

Baby seat is hilarious.