BIKERS ADVENTURE GROUP MALAYSIA

kennylee · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 348 Location: Cheras

The California dreaming is over – Ferrari has finally pulled the wraps of its stunning new supercar!

These are the first pictures of the exciting California, which is set to be the star of this October’s Paris Motor Show. Boasting a new 454bhp V8, a slick shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and folding hardtop, the Italian newcomer has Porsche and Aston Martin firmly in its sights.

Styled by Pininfarina, the California is the Italian firm’s entry-level Grand Tourer, slotting into the range below the 599 Barchetta.

And as you can see, the design is clearly influenced by its bigger brother. At the front are distinctive swept back headlamps, together with a large ‘egg-crate’ grille. Look down the sides and you’ll see the steeply rising waistline, while at the rear are the company’s trademark circular lamps and an eye-catching quad exhaust layout.

Inside, the cabin gets a 2+ seating layout that means carrying occasional rear passengers should be a possibility.

But the big news is the inclusion of a folding hard top, which will come as standard on all versions. Made of aluminium to keep weight down, it is electrically powered and can be stowed away at the flick of a switch.

With the hood lowered, you’ll be better placed to enjoy the tuneful soundtrack of the 4.3-litre V8. Mounted in a mid-front position – a first for the prancing horse – the unit features direct injection and produces 454bhp. Connected to an all-new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox it will allow the California to scorch from standstill to 60mph in just 4.0-seconds.

Like all Ferraris, the newcomer should also excel once the road turns twisty. A new multi-link rear suspension set-up promises exceptional agility and sharp responses, while the adjustable F1-Trac traction control has been tweaked. Carbon ceramic brakes mean that reigning in all the performance shouldn’t be a problem either.