Ferrari California Handling Speciale
Plus 30hp, minus 30kg and a suitably pretentious suffix for sharpened Ferrari California
This slightly odd appellation describes a new upgrade available alongside a 30kg weight loss and 30hp power gain being introduced for the updated California debuting at Geneva in a couple of weeks. Not facelifted of course. That would imply it wasn't already perfect, which would of course be inconceivable.
Revised Californias are already in production ahead of the formal show debut in a couple of weeks, the 30hp boost to 490hp deriving from software tweaks to the ECU as well as more traditional tuning methods such as new exhaust manifolds. The resulting 490hp is the headline figure, but Ferrari is also promising improved flexibility and a more accessible torque curve. The peak figure also climbs from the 357lb ft of the current car to 372lb ft.
These changes mean Ferrari's official 0-62mph claim of 'less than four seconds' for the California has now been clarified as 3.8 seconds. Either way, seriously rapid for a car apparently intended as the 'accessible' Ferrari.
The optional Handling Speciale pack meanwhile brings a number of detail chassis mods, including faster Magnetorheological (try that in your Italian waiter's accent...) dampers with a halved response time, stiffer springs and a quicker steering rack.
'Modern interpretations of classic colour schemes' and an expanded range of two-tone and three-layer paint finishes are also part of the update, first deliveries of the updated California starting in Europe.
If I was in the market for one of these, no amount of criticism from forums like this would stop me from seriously considering one.
If you can feel the difference/benefit then you probably have a problem with your nervous system and should seek medical advice. I dropped not far off that earlier this morning and I don't feel any wieldier.
If you can feel the difference/benefit then you probably have a problem with your nervous system and should seek medical advice. I dropped not far off that earlier this morning and I don't feel any wieldier.
i suspect all of the handling differences will be in the damper changes, not 30kgs off of a reasonably heavy car
If you can feel the difference/benefit then you probably have a problem with your nervous system and should seek medical advice. I dropped not far off that earlier this morning and I don't feel any wieldier.
i suspect all of the handling differences will be in the damper changes, not 30kgs off of a reasonably heavy car
On an Elise special, it's not a terrible figure (Club Racer was not far of 30kg lighter). Even Bentley managed to get over 100kg out of the Continental with the Supersport.
30KG at this weight slaps far more of marketing than any genuine desire to influence the car's behaviour. One options list tick and a large breakfast will have their dieting work undone.
On an Elise special, it's not a terrible figure (Club Racer was not far of 30kg lighter). Even Bentley managed to get over 100kg out of the Continental with the Supersport.
30KG at this weight slaps far more of marketing than any genuine desire to influence the car's behaviour. One options list tick and a large breakfast will have their dieting work undone.
The California is so good it is just boring, which rather defeats the object of a Ferrari. Maybe this tweak will make it more exciting, but I'm not holding my breath.
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