Back in 2008, the Ferrari California appeared, promising great things to a car-driving world which always seeks novelty. The California boasted, among other things, the first front-engine V8 in Ferrari's stable, as well as a retractible hardtop and double-clutch 7-speed transmission. At the same time, the California retired the ever-popular manual gearbox, meaning an era has truly come to an end. But the car has a wheel in the future and the past.
No one ever complains about being forced to spend time behind the wheel of a Ferrari, but as a "grand tourer," the California adds its speed and handling to a desire for the cross-country roadtrip. Aiding in this venture is the "2+" design, a two-door four-seater. Now you, as driver, can show off for two more people than before.
The California inherited its name from another great Ferrari of yore, also one with a bit of a backseat. The 250 GT California appeared in the late 1950s, a sexy mid-century machine. This is the car that played a prominent role in the 1986 John Hughes movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." That car was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California, one of about a hundred built. The car's death in the climax upset many Ferrari fans, though it was in fact a replica.
The Ferrari family felt such affinity for this new car that they had to hand down the name. They could've called it the Iowa, sure, but what's sexy about that? So the modern car carries its classic name, and proves what the 21st-century can do. The California runs zero to 60 in just under four seconds, hits a top speed of 193 mph, and has been proven in wind tunnel tests to be Ferrari's most aerodynamic car to date.
As serious as this car is, it isn't one of Ferrari's monster cars. In fact, the California has impressed some critics with how nicely it plays, and looks. Its features are fine but not exotic. It can certainly get up and go, but perhaps not in as scary a way as some of its siblings. And it's got, as some have said, kind of a big ass.
And yet the Ferrari California lacks for nothing: speed, handling, room for friends (even if they may have to be kind of small friends). The car's destiny lay in the long highway, the cross-country trip. The quick jaunt from state to state. It may be the fastest family car in the world. Or maybe "family car" isn't quite right, but anyway the California is the car you want to share with your loved ones -- who can see it all from the backseat.
No one ever complains about being forced to spend time behind the wheel of a Ferrari, but as a "grand tourer," the California adds its speed and handling to a desire for the cross-country roadtrip. Aiding in this venture is the "2+" design, a two-door four-seater. Now you, as driver, can show off for two more people than before.
The California inherited its name from another great Ferrari of yore, also one with a bit of a backseat. The 250 GT California appeared in the late 1950s, a sexy mid-century machine. This is the car that played a prominent role in the 1986 John Hughes movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." That car was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California, one of about a hundred built. The car's death in the climax upset many Ferrari fans, though it was in fact a replica.
The Ferrari family felt such affinity for this new car that they had to hand down the name. They could've called it the Iowa, sure, but what's sexy about that? So the modern car carries its classic name, and proves what the 21st-century can do. The California runs zero to 60 in just under four seconds, hits a top speed of 193 mph, and has been proven in wind tunnel tests to be Ferrari's most aerodynamic car to date.
As serious as this car is, it isn't one of Ferrari's monster cars. In fact, the California has impressed some critics with how nicely it plays, and looks. Its features are fine but not exotic. It can certainly get up and go, but perhaps not in as scary a way as some of its siblings. And it's got, as some have said, kind of a big ass.
And yet the Ferrari California lacks for nothing: speed, handling, room for friends (even if they may have to be kind of small friends). The car's destiny lay in the long highway, the cross-country trip. The quick jaunt from state to state. It may be the fastest family car in the world. Or maybe "family car" isn't quite right, but anyway the California is the car you want to share with your loved ones -- who can see it all from the backseat.
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