"The California is an extraordinary car and I was delighted with the performance, comfort and driving pleasure it delivered…" reported the Ferrari President.

Further to Ferrari’s decision to launch the new front-engined hard-top convertible online, the Italian company has now released further ‘teaser’ photos to entice potential buyers into the showroom. In addition, Luca di Montezemolo has had the opportunity of experiencing it at Ferrari’s in-house test track, Fiorano.

"I am very satisfied indeed with the work that the women and men of Ferrari have done," he said. "The California is an extraordinary car and I was delighted with the performance, comfort and driving pleasure it delivered. The California is, like all of our models, the epitome of cutting-edge innovation. Its gearbox, suspensions and chassis are the most advanced possible.



"This is the first dual-purpose Spider/Coupé with a retractable hard top that closes in just 14 seconds. Despite its extraordinary performance, the California 2+ is also exceptionally easy to drive and has a space behind the front seats that makes it supremely flexible in terms of usage."



The new photographs reveal the car in Azzurro California, a shade used by Ferrari on the 1960s original 250 GT-based Spyder California. As we reported earlier this month, the car is significant for several reasons: its 7-speed dual clutch gearbox that promises the smoothest shifts, a ‘hard-top’ folding roof, and a 454bhp V8 that is mounted in the front/mid position.

Despite fevered speculation in the specialist press that this would be a ‘new Dino’, or ‘cheap Ferrari’, this will most certainly not be the case. It’s likely to be priced around the level of the existing F430 series and worldwide demand will ensure strong residuals and a lengthy wait for delivery.

The new car will debut at this year’s Paris International Car Show in October.

For further information, regularly visit www.ferraricalifornia.com.

New facts

Dimensions: 4.560 x 1.900 mm

Wheelbase: 2.700 mm

Luggage Volume: 360 litres (260 litres with hood down)

Fuel consumption: 13,2 l/100 km

Emissions: in the region of 310 g/km

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Ferrari