Ferrari California T: Tracing the heritage, technology and design of Maranello's latest

Ferrari has been re-launched in India after its shaky first attempt, and will now be sold through a far more competent dealership network called Navnit Motors. At the Mumbai launch, the Italian company showcased its entry level grand tourer called the Ferrari California T, which is priced at around Rs 3.4 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai). We take you through the California T’s three main aspects that would excite pretty much any ardent auto-enthusiast.

Heritage

Through the ages, Ferrari has been at the forefront of both automotive design and engineering, be it in the world of sports cars, luxurious grand tourers, supercars or in motorsport. The famous Italian manufacturer symbolized by its iconic prancing horse logo, has obtained a massive fan-following by churning out exquisite pieces of art and fitting them with performance-based technologies of the highest order. Its elite catalogue boasts of one of the most famous names associated with the Ferrari brand - California.

The first Ferrari to bear the name California was the desperately pretty 250 GT Spyder, which was sold between the late 1950s and 1960, and is known world over as one of the greatest examples of automotive design of all time. Following in its footsteps was the equally impressive 365 California, only 14 of which were ever built between 1966 and 1967. The exclusive nature of these Ferraris ensured that California became a haloed name among Ferrari enthusiasts and, building on this reputation, the Italian company unveiled a modern day reiteration of the California at the 2008 Paris Motor Show which has gradually evolved into the present generation California T.

It’s safe to say that Ferrari is extremely serious with its nomenclature patterns, and the Italian company only recycles famous names when it feels that a car is worthy of carrying on the legacy. Following this trend, the California T most definitely sets the benchmark in terms of design, technology, quality, and performance in the grand touring segment, much like its predecessors did. Naming its car ‘California’ is certainly a reason to get any petrolhead excited!

In Pictures: Ferrari California T

Technology

Another factor that has helped create a buzz around the launch of the California T in India is the highly sophisticated technology that Ferrari is known to embed in its offerings. Under the hood of the California T lies a Maranello-designed, direct-injection, 3,855cc turbocharged V8 engine, capable of delivering 560PS of power at 7,500rpm along with 755Nm of maximum torque. What those figures mean is that the car launches from 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds. What’s even more amazing is that despite possessing an additional 71PS of power and a 49% increase in torque in contrast to the outgoing model, the addition of a turbocharger has enabled the California T to reduce its fuel consumption by around 15%! In a further attempt at moving towards a greener future, emissions have been reduced as well, that too by a considerable margin of 20% in the Co2/kW ratio.

Most of this technology has been grafted in after successful implementation on Ferrari’s present generation Formula 1 cars. Ferrari claims that the compact, low-inertia twin-scroll turbines ensure ultra-sharp throttle response with virtually zero turbo lag. Additionally, a new steering box and suspension set up have helped the California T deliver true sports car dynamics. New springs and latest-generation Magnaride dampers along with body motion accelerometers, reduce the car’s roll and pitch, making it an extremely precise handler without compromising on ride comfort. 

But the technological showcase doesn’t end there. The California T also has the latest evolution of the F1-Trac traction control system for maximum acceleration out of corners and a CCM3 carbon-ceramic braking system aided by new composite discs and pads. The brakes are integrated with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 8.0 premium system which controls the high performance Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and allows the super-quick Ferrari to brake from 100kph to a complete standstill in a nauseating distance of just 34 metres. Inside the cabin, the dash features a Turbo Performance Engineer (TPE) between the two air-conditioning vents, in case the swish interiors make you forget that you’re in a genuinely quick sports car! The TPE display includes a capacitive touch-sensitive surround to scroll through information on making the most of the engine’s performance. 

Exquisite Design

The California T isn’t just a statement of the highest levels of engine technology as it’s equipped with an exquisitely designed feature-rich cabin as well. The insides of the car have been designed to be as ergonomic as possible, and reek of lavishness. From the human-machine interface that encompasses its steering wheel to the Frau semi-aniline leather trim, the California exhibits high levels of luxury and craftsmanship albeit with a sporty theme in mind. It also features a new infotainment system with an intuitive, high-resolution 6.5-inch touchscreen.  

Despite all the technical jargon associated with a car of the California’s stature, the most important aspect of any Ferrari, is its styling. The California T was designed at the Ferrari Styling Centre in collaboration with one of the world’s best design firms Pininfarina, and keeps in mind Ferrari’s front-engined design ethos. The newly designed angular headlamps take cues from the present generation Ferrari design language, as does the sleek profile of the newly-designed sheet metal bits. The flanks are reminiscent of the 250 Testa Rossa’s famous pontoon-fender styling and the muscular yet compact rear-end styling is a result of meticulous aerodynamic research and features a triple-fence diffuser. All in all, this versatile and comparatively compact Ferrari does the job of tugging at your heartstrings and unquestionably demands a lengthy second glance.