The first model released since Ferrari began talking about fuel efficiency has aerodynamics working in its favor, but not much else
By Mike Spinelli Posted 05.14.2008 at 10:52 am 1 Comment

Ferrari California (2009):  netcarshow.com
Ferrari hasn't yet pulled the $50-a-yard, Swiss voile cotton sheet back on its latest model, the California. But the company did release its initial media package on the car earlier today. It revealed a sleek grand tourer sporting the first front-mounted V8 in the company's history. The California is also the first all-new model to arrive since the iconic brand started hinting at a new focus on fuel efficiency. Say what?

Don't get any crazy ideas about Ferrari diesels (though a hybrid is on the drawing board). The overarching idea is to keep the Ferrari sports-car mystique by holding weight down. Ferrari hasn't released any figures on the California's bulk, but it follows on the company's relationship with aluminum producer Alcoa, which recently built a massive new shop in Modena, Italy just to meet Ferrari's demand for lightweight spaceframe chassis. (The California's chassis and bodywork are aluminum.) The California also gets a 4.3-liter V8 with direct fuel injection producing 460 horsepower and a torque curve that provides more twist at lower revs. Pairing the engine with a new 7-speed dual-clutch manumatic transmission, the company says, will reduce fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2).

Ferrari hasn't released pricing info yet, but they will say this: it's not an entry-level model.

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1 Comment

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Lucoss Li
09/24/09 at 3:42 am

Wow, cool car, if I have it, I think I am sure will keep it cool tourist destination, but it is too expensive, so far I can't afford it, I think I can only take a guided tour groups to travel http://www.dragonflytours-japan.com



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