Ferrari Debuts Stylish California Folding Hardtop Roadster

For years, Ferrari has denied the existence of a new model that would

bolster the F430 at

the lower end of Ferrari's lineup. They claimed

that a more affordable model would water down the value of the brand.

Well, it turns out that those official claims weren't true - Ferrari is

indeed launching a new model, called the California, a two-seat,

front-engine folding hardtop roadster.

The

California marks many firsts for Ferrari: it's the brand's first front-engine V8-powered car. It's the first Ferrari to feature gasoline

direct injection, which feeds premium unleaded to its 4.3-liter, 454

horsepower engine, which, also features a flat-plane crankshaft to

reduce the center of gravity. It's the first Ferrari to also feature a

seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, mounted at the rear of the

vehicle for optimal weight distribution. Combined, these elements allow

the California to accelerate to 60 mph in less than four seconds!

And

while Ferrari is positioning the new California as a grand tourer, it

hasn't lost its determination to bias performance towards driving excitement. The

California features a completely new rear multi-link suspension, plus Ferrari's revolutionary F1-Trac stability control system that made

its debut on the 599 Fiorano. In addition, Ferrari is offering up

Brembo-badged carbon ceramic brakes as an extra-cost option.

To

get a closer look at the California, you'll need to travel to France

this autumn where it will make its international debut at the Mondial

de L'Automobile in Paris.