2010 Ferrari California

Unlike just about every other Ferrari ever built, the California is quite a bit different and breaks new ground in many aspects for Ferrari. This smooth and sophisticated hard top grand touring cabriolet is tame in comparison to its counterparts from Maranello.

It features Ferrari’s first ever front mounted V8, first dual-clutch automated manual transmission (which by the way feels incredibly seamless) and the first use of direct injection in a Ferrari. This Ferrari is also the cheapest of all Ferrari’s currently being sold. However, that is definitely not due to the fact that it is inferior.

An amazing new production line facility has been built to produce this car. Of course that means this car is not handmade. That said, the highest level of quality is still ensured. The new facility which produces Ferrari’s first modular architecture platform is similar to that of a hospital operating room – freakishly clean and chillingly quiet.

Despite the luxurious impression that the Ferrari California portrays, it still performs well in the handling department providing crisp feedback to the driver and a well balanced composure under hard cornering. Although not quite as aggressive as the exhaust note on the F430, the California still gives off a sporty sound from its 453 horsepower 4.3L 180-degree V8 with an 8000 RPM redline. It’s 0-60 is also nothing short of impressive sitting at 4 seconds.

On the dashboard you have a touch screen navigation system by Harman/Becker, hard drive for music storage, Bluetooth for phone integration and complete iPod integration. The beautifully designed hard top feels solid and does not creak, squeak or rattle – an inherent problem with many folding tops. It does have 2 rear seats which are useful for someone the size of an infant and the rear trunk will fit a large suitcase. The trunk also does contain a pass-through hole for long items.

All around, the 2010 Ferrari California would be a good daily driver with the ability to keep you comfortable and provide you with some practical and useful features. Some people do not care for the rear end design of the car and that is fine. However, the stacked tail pipes are done that way to create more room for a better under body airflow management design. The front end though does remind me a lot of the Maserati Gran Turismo.