Ferrari California breaks cover

The new Ferrari California has broken cover. The California is powered by a V8 engine mounted in what Ferrari describes as a “mid front” position – behind the front axle-line – with drive supplied to the rear wheels via a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. The body is made from aluminium and ‘2+’ seating means it will be far more practical than the company’s mid-engined offerings. It also features a folding metal hard-top.The Ferrari California’s power comes from a 4.3-litre V8 engine with the company’s trademark flat-plane crankshaft. Ferrari claims 453bhp and a sub-4.0secs 0-62mph time. This is also the greenest Ferrari yet – although the claimed 310g/km CO2 emissions are unlikely to win any environmental awards. The car will be fitted with ceramic brakes as standard, along with a development of the F430’s “F1-Trac” traction control system. The Ferrari California will be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show, and although prices haven’t been announced yet, sources inside Ferrari indicate the California will likely cost slightly more than the basic F430 when it goes on sale later in the year.No sooner had we published our latest story about the Ferrari compact GT testing than the Italian company released the first images of its new car, also confirming the rebirth of the famous “California” name.Read Chas Hallett's blog on the Ferrari California