Ferrari has brought back the name California and while the name has been reused, the car has a list of first s for the company that is a mile long. First of all this California sports a V8 engine while the original 250 GT Spyder California SWB and LWB (short and long wheel based) were V12 powered. Continue Reading

The 2010 Ferrari California convertible represents a lot of firsts for the company.  It’s the first front-mounted V-8 that Ferrari has built, and it’s also the first time one of their engines has used direct injection.  It features a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, another first for Ferrari.  The California is incredibly modern and is built to a very high level of quality.  Despite this, it’s also one of the cheaper Ferraris to ever be built.

Unlike some Ferraris which scream down the roads and act like speed demons, the California is a more restrained car.  It lacks some of the aggressive, roaring feel of many traditional Ferraris.  It is, however, luxurious.  You won’t hear much in the way of outside noise in this quiet car when you have the top up.  It has great suspension, and changing gears is a very smooth process.  It’s a very comfortable car to drive overall.  Its 4.3 litre V-8 pumps out 453 horsepower, though, so even while it’s a smooth ride, it’s also a powerful one.

As far as luxuries go, the California features two-zone climate control, parking sensors, and an optional cargo shelf instead of a back seat.  It’s a great little convertible if you want a Ferrari that doesn’t cost Ferrari prices and is a bit tamer than usual.