All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.
Those are the first lines of the song ‘California Dreaming’ and seems quite appropriate given Wellington’s recent luck with the weather. Good thing then Ferrari chose to launch it’s own California dream in Auckland.
The California T was officially launched in NZ earlier this week and will command a $413,888 price tag when it goes on sale. Despite it being the “least expensive” Ferrari in the range it’s still far beyond the reach of most.
Being the next generation California, the ‘T’ gets an array of improvements over the outgoing car. The ‘T’ in it’s name isn’t a Yorkshire thing but a hint at the changes under the bonnet. Gone is the naturally aspirated 4.3L V8 and in it’s stead is a new 3.9L twin-turbo V8 – pretty much the same engine found in the Maserati Quattroprote GTS.
Pumping out 552bhp and 755NM (of torque it allows the Cali T to get from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds while being 15% more fuel efficient than before. That’s thanks in part in weight dropping by 5kgs as well as the introduction of stop/start technology.
It’s shaping up to be quite the car then. And I haven’t even got to the best improvement – the design. The last California wasn’t a bad looking thing but it wasn’t as universally loved as the original, or even a 458. This new one brings in a new face which screams ‘F12’. I think it looks much nicer and gives the California the edge it deserves.
Out the back there are subtle changes including a new rear diffuser and restyled bumper. Inside changes are even less obvious but there’s an updated infotainment system and the retractable hardtop now has a sunroof too. Ideal for catching the winter sun.
So the California T then. Would you rather this or an Aston DB9 Volante, Mercedes SL63 AMG or Bentley GTC V8?
