RE: More California Pics And Details
RE: More California Pics And Details
Thursday 22nd May 2008

More California Pics And Details

Ferrari continues to drip-feed info on its new drop top



When the first images of the Ferrari California were released a few days a go to say the looks were controversial may be something of an understatement.

And quite why the marque has waited almost ten days to release two more pictures of the same car from slightly different angles is also a bit confusing, but here they are all the same.

A few details have also emerged about the car, in particular that it will accelerate from 0-60mph in 4 seconds and will use the F1-Trac traction control that was offered with the 599 GTB Fiorano.

The carmaker said in a statement: ‘The Ferrari California is aimed at owners who desire a car which embodies everything the Prancing Horse represents in terms of sporty design and innovation, but also seek a car with greater versatility than ever.’

Also it has emerged that the California was once destined to be a Maserati, under the codename M139, but Ferrari grabbed it back at the last minute.


The result of this is that the California reportedly rides on the GranTurismo platform.

Author
Discussion

Pharle

Original Poster:

78 posts

229 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
I'm sure a last-minute rebadged Maserati truly embodies everything the prancing horse represents (but no doubt will be more profitable for the Fiat group)...

vz-r_dave

3,469 posts

240 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Never knew they where going to make a Ferrari Celica

daverichmond1

43 posts

231 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Am a bit concerned as to why they aren't releasing any pictures of it with the roof up...

Thirstyboy

47 posts

232 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Here here, what a dreadful mistake - just too greedy. I guess the brand has such strength that a Ferreri-lite will do little short term harm, but I'm not so sure for the future.....

JayKaybi

3,494 posts

243 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Yeah, not sure about this one.

"Hey chaps, I've had an idea - lets stick a different grille on it, and some round tail lights, a little horsey logo - then we can charge another £50000!"

In all seriousness, who, knowing that this was a Maserati until the 11th hour, would be happy paying the full Ferrari premium? I know Ferrari play a strong part in Maserati's development process but that's the reason Maseratis can be a bit more expensive than they otherwise would. This is a Ferrari that wasn't really designed by Ferrari.

Edited by JayKaybi on Thursday 22 May 11:17

F355GTS

3,842 posts

277 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
I'm very confused the info I have suggests it's an aluminium chassis by Alcoa (same as 430 and 599) not Steel as the Maser GT and it will be built in Maranello on the new line they have built not elsewhere as has been suggested

Baffled Spoon

5,256 posts

216 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Thirstyboy said:
Here here, what a dreadful mistake - just too greedy. I guess the brand has such strength that a Ferreri-lite will do little short term harm, but I'm not so sure for the future.....
Although I too am disappointed by the introduction of a "cheap" Ferrari and feel that this will tarnish the marques' image, I can understand the reasoning behind the move. In the current economic climate with rising motoring costs coupled with the current economic crunch, Ferrari are merely doing what is necessary to survive. Personally, I'd rather the company survives with a lower level clientele than for the company to go bust.

Besides, I doubt the company's image can sink any further than that of a company that makes the footballers' wheels of choice (all IMO of course smile)

pistolp

1,719 posts

244 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
If it drives like the gran turismo then it will be very disappointing

JenkinsComp

918 posts

269 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Still hideous and a tacky embarrassment compared to the beautiful Alfa 8C and Aston Vantage.

layabout

236 posts

214 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
I hope it looks better in the flesh,so far the look of this Ferrari is bland compared to previous Ferrari's.Sounds great just as expected from Ferrari.

flattotheboards

6,688 posts

228 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Alfa ROmeo 8C are much cooler than this. Besides who cares what platform it runs on, so long as its superb to drive nobody will care.

Horse_Apple

3,795 posts

264 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
JenkinsComp said:
Still hideous and a tacky embarrassment compared to the beautiful Alfa 8C and Aston Vantage.
But it will be more expensive so therefor better. biggrin

You need to get with the times. This is the 21st century. Two turds lying on the pavement, one has a 5p price tag and the other £5. Which one is superior? 21st Century man will obviously snap up the £5 turd and leave the 5p one for the poor people.

layabout

236 posts

214 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Horse_Apple said:
JenkinsComp said:
Still hideous and a tacky embarrassment compared to the beautiful Alfa 8C and Aston Vantage.
But it will be more expensive so therefor better. biggrin

You need to get with the times. This is the 21st century. Two turds lying on the pavement, one has a 5p price tag and the other £5. Which one is superior? 21st Century man will obviously snap up the £5 turd and leave the 5p one for the poor people.
Sad,but true.

BUG4LIFE

2,429 posts

240 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Baffled Spoon said:
Thirstyboy said:
Here here, what a dreadful mistake - just too greedy. I guess the brand has such strength that a Ferreri-lite will do little short term harm, but I'm not so sure for the future.....
Although I too am disappointed by the introduction of a "cheap" Ferrari and feel that this will tarnish the marques' image, I can understand the reasoning behind the move. In the current economic climate with rising motoring costs coupled with the current economic crunch, Ferrari are merely doing what is necessary to survive. Personally, I'd rather the company survives with a lower level clientele than for the company to go bust.

Besides, I doubt the company's image can sink any further than that of a company that makes the footballers' wheels of choice (all IMO of course smile)
Sure I read somewhere that the California is gonna cost the same as an F430, so it aint a 'cheap' ferrari at all, just an alternative to the hardcore 430 - I'd have one for sure.

ZesPak

26,003 posts

218 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
daverichmond1 said:
Am a bit concerned as to why they aren't releasing any pictures of it with the roof up...
+1

Probably an Ikea-like construction no-one has been able to fit yet. (cant be done in less than a month)

MogulBoy

3,058 posts

245 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
I assume that these are the first official images and the others (while almost certainly the real deal) were simply leaked?


Oli S

214 posts

221 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
MogulBoy said:
I assume that these are the first official images and the others (while almost certainly the real deal) were simply leaked?
They're all official images smile

Hendry

1,945 posts

304 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
Baffled Spoon said:
Thirstyboy said:
Here here, what a dreadful mistake - just too greedy. I guess the brand has such strength that a Ferreri-lite will do little short term harm, but I'm not so sure for the future.....
Although I too am disappointed by the introduction of a "cheap" Ferrari and feel that this will tarnish the marques' image, I can understand the reasoning behind the move. In the current economic climate with rising motoring costs coupled with the current economic crunch, Ferrari are merely doing what is necessary to survive. Personally, I'd rather the company survives with a lower level clientele than for the company to go bust.

Besides, I doubt the company's image can sink any further than that of a company that makes the footballers' wheels of choice (all IMO of course smile)
£150K according to Evo, so not so "cheap".

GingerWizard

4,721 posts

220 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
I have been looking at the pictures floating about the net and the Mags/papers about at the moment and i have come to this conclusion.

They seem to be making the marque cheap, and like my wife; the car has a fat bottom. I only like my wifes fat bottom......

GingerWizard

peter450

1,650 posts

255 months

Thursday 22nd May 2008
quotequote all
It's only in the UK that everyone trashes ferrari's image, but then the UK has always been a very judgemental society.