But despite the inevitable compromises that come from a folding metal roof, the California feels more like a ‘proper’ Ferrari than, say, a Cayenne feels like a proper Porsche. And for that Ferrari deserves much credit.
I understand the need for car companies to diversify, but fail to see how parallels can be drawn between a brand-new, bespoke-engineered Ferrari and a re-badged Volkswagen off-roader. I'm really not keen on the California but while I find it difficult to accept the notion of an affordable Ferrari, at least Ferrari have stuck to their core market, if not their core values. Is Ferrari deserving of [i]much[/i] credit? Given the cars £165k price tag and the lukewarm outcome of this review, I feel a discreet nod of praise would be more appropriate than a rapturous ovation. Porsche however, for tacking their badge onto anything & everything just lately should be roundly castigated.
I eagerly await the verdict of your Aston Martin Cygnet road test!
Who drives at 10 10ths anyway? In anything above a base Fiat Panda 10 10ths will loose you your liscence. I can well image a customer who wants to use his/her Ferrari everyday will like the decent ride quality as opposed to the histrionics offered by a mid engined 430/450. Ferrari knows what it is doing and will do rather well with it I imagine.
A black one overtook me on the motorway in Bavaria a couple of months ago. It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
A black one overtook me on the motorway in Bavaria a couple of months ago. It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
Only because they haven't got their hands on them yet!
I see Sutters has stuck the knife in in his column..."how [Ferrari] could have got the California so fundamentally wrong...is pretty baffling".
Oh dear...I suspect I know who won't be getting first dibs on press cars at Ferrari events for a while.
So if reviewers can't be truthful in their reviews as they won't get test cars again, that could mean most reviews aren't worth the paper they are printed on.
Who drives at 10 10ths anyway? In anything above a base Fiat Panda 10 10ths will loose you your liscence. I can well image a customer who wants to use his/her Ferrari everyday will like the decent ride quality as opposed to the histrionics offered by a mid engined 430/450. Ferrari knows what it is doing and will do rather well with it I imagine.
Unfortunately AC has a knack of comparing every single car they test as if it were meant to be raced on a closed circuit - everything from a supermini to an amphibious assault vehicle! The California is designed to appeal to the lucky few who don't need a hardcore racer for every day, aka F430. The California still has sporting capacities, just not the 10/10ths of a 430 on a track. This is still a Ferrari to the core....and looks fappin beautiful. Suggestion that residuals will be hit hard on the used car market is absolute todge.
It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
Funny you should say that because the only one I've seen was in Fulham and vertually within sight of Chelseas ground. I only saw the back so I couldn't see the driver but what I can say is that the back of the car did nothing for me. Here hoping I see the rest of the car next time I'm in the area.
11 January 2008
this is a record specific output for a naturally aspirated petrol engine of 83lb ft per litre.
Caterham Seven Superlight R500
Engine: 2.0-litre Caterham Powertrain (CPT) Ford Duratec
Max Power (bhp/rpm) 263bhp @ 8500rpm
Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm) 177 lbsft @ 7200rpm
177/2 = 88.5
eh?
28 September 2008
But despite the inevitable compromises that come from a folding metal roof, the California feels more like a ‘proper’ Ferrari than, say, a Cayenne feels like a proper Porsche. And for that Ferrari deserves much credit.
I understand the need for car companies to diversify, but fail to see how parallels can be drawn between a brand-new, bespoke-engineered Ferrari and a re-badged Volkswagen off-roader. I'm really not keen on the California but while I find it difficult to accept the notion of an affordable Ferrari, at least Ferrari have stuck to their core market, if not their core values. Is Ferrari deserving of [i]much[/i] credit? Given the cars £165k price tag and the lukewarm outcome of this review, I feel a discreet nod of praise would be more appropriate than a rapturous ovation. Porsche however, for tacking their badge onto anything & everything just lately should be roundly castigated.
I eagerly await the verdict of your Aston Martin Cygnet road test!
27 February 2008
OMG! The California's strengths are simultaneously it's weaknesses........
According to Autocar anyway.
8 January 2009
I see Sutters has stuck the knife in in his column..."how [Ferrari] could have got the California so fundamentally wrong...is pretty baffling".
Oh dear...I suspect I know who won't be getting first dibs on press cars at Ferrari events for a while.
25 June 2009
Great car!
Who drives at 10 10ths anyway? In anything above a base Fiat Panda 10 10ths will loose you your liscence. I can well image a customer who wants to use his/her Ferrari everyday will like the decent ride quality as opposed to the histrionics offered by a mid engined 430/450. Ferrari knows what it is doing and will do rather well with it I imagine.
A black one overtook me on the motorway in Bavaria a couple of months ago. It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
Competance executes, character inspires
4 December 2007
A black one overtook me on the motorway in Bavaria a couple of months ago. It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
Only because they haven't got their hands on them yet!
6 May 2009
I see Sutters has stuck the knife in in his column..."how [Ferrari] could have got the California so fundamentally wrong...is pretty baffling".
Oh dear...I suspect I know who won't be getting first dibs on press cars at Ferrari events for a while.
So if reviewers can't be truthful in their reviews as they won't get test cars again, that could mean most reviews aren't worth the paper they are printed on.
7 March 2008
What a horrible, horrible looking car. Another duffer from Ferrari...........12 May 2008
Who drives at 10 10ths anyway? In anything above a base Fiat Panda 10 10ths will loose you your liscence. I can well image a customer who wants to use his/her Ferrari everyday will like the decent ride quality as opposed to the histrionics offered by a mid engined 430/450. Ferrari knows what it is doing and will do rather well with it I imagine.
Unfortunately AC has a knack of comparing every single car they test as if it were meant to be raced on a closed circuit - everything from a supermini to an amphibious assault vehicle! The California is designed to appeal to the lucky few who don't need a hardcore racer for every day, aka F430. The California still has sporting capacities, just not the 10/10ths of a 430 on a track. This is still a Ferrari to the core....and looks fappin beautiful. Suggestion that residuals will be hit hard on the used car market is absolute todge.
8 January 2008
It looked fantastic in the metal and is now my favourite Ferrari because it is less 'Ferrari' (ie chavtastic footballer) than the rest of the range.
Funny you should say that because the only one I've seen was in Fulham and vertually within sight of Chelseas ground. I only saw the back so I couldn't see the driver but what I can say is that the back of the car did nothing for me. Here hoping I see the rest of the car next time I'm in the area.