Novitec Rosso Slaps a Supercharger on the Ferrari California

Have you ever thought “My 460 horsepower Ferrari just isn’t quick enough. You know what it needs…over 600 hp. That’s the ticket.” If so, you’re in luck. Novitec Rosso, the gods of Ferrari tuning, just developed a supercharger kit for the new Ferrari California. It’s no simple power bump either – the 4.3-liter front-mounted V8 in the California jumps from a solid 460 hp – more than enough for most – to a whiplash-inducing 606 hp. Torque grows from 485 Nm to 603 Nm too, which means you’ll be burning through some serious rubber if you’re not careful.

REVIEW: Driven: 2010 Ferrari California

REVIEW: Driven: 2010 Ferrari California

Through a coincidence in time or just luck, I was lucky enough
California is full of firsts: the first-ever front-mounted V-8-engined Ferrari, this is the first use of direct injection in the Ferrari, and Ferrari's first dual-clutch automated manual transmission. This was also the first Ferrari built on modular architecture, and the first built on the new production line really scary in modernity. I can tour the facility last month, and the California production line is clean, quiet, and freakishly automatic. On the one hand, computerized, mass production just makes California somehow, seem less special; on the other hand, this ensures the highest quality level. I think the tradeoff is worth it, especially for the Ferrari which is inherently less special than the others.

Screeeetch - less special? I mean no insult by that of California. That's the most expensive in the Ferrari offers a stable, but that's only part of the reason why. Another reason is that I equate "special" with "crazy." I, automotive certified lunatic, worship F430 to madness. I like the way crackles and barks and screams. I love how the little children fear and adults with an acoustic attack; how accelerated and shift with such violence that makes the hysterical passenger. I like how the residents feel under attack by every pebble on the road after their appeal with the sights and smells of the world's best material.

Some, however, might find F430 slightly more. For these people, Ferrari makes California. California is softer, lighter, less crazy Ferrari. Ergo, it is less specific for crazy people like me, but no less specialized in the real world. A grand tourer in the traditional sense of the word, Ferrari's hard-top convertible soft and luxurious. The level of his voice and a quiet ride by Ferrari standards, and the cabin is elegant and luxurious.

Ferrari California

Ferrari California
Currently the California has not been tested by Euro NCAP and therefore does not have a rating. The Ferrari California is in insurance group 20. All models are expensive (group 20 being the highest rating) to insure.

REVIEW: Driven: 2010 Ferrari California

REVIEW: Driven: 2010 Ferrari California

Through a coincidence in time or just luck, I was lucky enough
California is full of firsts: the first-ever front-mounted V-8-engined Ferrari, this is the first use of direct injection in the Ferrari, and Ferrari's first dual-clutch automated manual transmission. This was also the first Ferrari built on modular architecture, and the first built on the new production line really scary in modernity. I can tour the facility last month, and the California production line is clean, quiet, and freakishly automatic. On the one hand, computerized, mass production just makes California somehow, seem less special; on the other hand, this ensures the highest quality level. I think the tradeoff is worth it, especially for the Ferrari which is inherently less special than the others.

Screeeetch - less special? I mean no insult by that of California. That's the most expensive in the Ferrari offers a stable, but that's only part of the reason why. Another reason is that I equate "special" with "crazy." I, automotive certified lunatic, worship F430 to madness. I like the way crackles and barks and screams. I love how the little children fear and adults with an acoustic attack; how accelerated and shift with such violence that makes the hysterical passenger. I like how the residents feel under attack by every pebble on the road after their appeal with the sights and smells of the world's best material.

Some, however, might find F430 slightly more. For these people, Ferrari makes California. California is softer, lighter, less crazy Ferrari. Ergo, it is less specific for crazy people like me, but no less specialized in the real world. A grand tourer in the traditional sense of the word, Ferrari's hard-top convertible soft and luxurious. The level of his voice and a quiet ride by Ferrari standards, and the cabin is elegant and luxurious.

Ferrari California

The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.

The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.

The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque's history in the mid-front position.

In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.

As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car's performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

In addition to sporting the marque's classic styling cues, the cabin has also been beautifully trimmed using quality materials by Ferrari's own skilled artisans. New accessories and equipment, such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system, together with optimised aerodynamics ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

Driving the Ferrari California

As we pulled up to the historical gates of that famous red brick building in downtown Maranello, I felt the excitement begin to ravish through my body. But this was no ordinary excitement, mind you. It started in my toes and found its way through my extremities like warm cognac being gently poured through my veins, until it gathered enough momentum and intensity, eventually filling my chest and finding its way up my neck before exploding inside my head. I never knew you could feel like that with your clothes on. I almost lit up a cigarette right after. And I don’t even smoke.

It is one thing to come to such hallowed grounds to drive a Ferrari – we’ve done this more than a couple of times before and believe me, so long as your body temperature is above twelve degrees, it doesn’t get any less exciting – but this? This is no ordinary Ferrari. It is arguably the company’s most ground breaking model, if not their most controversial one, and it has the loyalists hopping mad.

Aside from being the very first Ferrari with an electronic retractable roof, they demand to know why the engine is in the front, especially that it is “only” a V8. They also want someone to explain how it can have the power of a third world dictator, but the manners of Kofi Annan. And they want to know who’s idea it was to give it some decent luggage room.

They call it the California; but is it a Ferrari?

First up, before even tackling that question, we need to agree on what a Ferrari is. It needs to be fast. Check. It needs style. Check. It must handle like woman scorned. Ummm, we’re going to have problems here... You see, first impressions of the California is that it is incredibly easy to drive. Too easy, in fact. And there lies the problem. Most Ferrari owners want to feel like a member of some exclusive little club that not everyone is qualified to join, and having a Ferrari that is as civilized to drive in traffic as a Fiat Punto doesn’t sit well them – its almost as if Ferrari has broken the sacred rule and allowed a girl into their little boys club.

Having said that, there were those who were opposed to sliced bread, too. Several decades later, I think we can all agree that it is the way to go. Gnawing off bits of your finger just to make a sandwich doesn’t make the experience any purer. Same goes with the California. Being easier to drive only means you can now drive it harder, and I have to say that the all-new double clutch, seven speed sequential gearbox is insane. It doesn’t matter what anyone tells you, this is awesome. If you hear any negative reactions about it, I guarantee you it is coming from those who haven’t figured out how to build one yet, and will hide behind the “purity” curtain.

It is so good in fact that the gearbox alone can probably take full credit for the California being able to match the acceleration of the 430 despite being 628 pounds heavier and 30 PS less powerful than its mid-engined sibling. To call it perfect would only dilute the word. Then there’s the all-new direct injection petrol engine; aside from being the greenest Ferrari ever built, the engineers have managed to bring the fuel consumption down and the power curve up, making 75% of its torque available as early as 2,500rpm, and delivering the outstanding balance by 5,000rpm.

2010 Ferrari California

Through a fluke in timing or just plain luck, I'm fortunate enough to have now been behind the wheel of every single current Ferrari currently on sale. That's a rarity even for automotive journalists, and it's an honor I don't take lightly. Today's drive of the California marked a special occasion, since this was not just the only Ferrari I haven't driven, it's also an all-new kind of Ferrari.

The California is full of firsts: it's the first-ever front-mounted V-8-engined Ferrari, it's the first use of direct injection in a Ferrari, and it's Ferrari's first dual-clutch automated manual transmission. It's also the first Ferrari built on a modular architecture, and the first built on a new production line that is downright spooky in its modernity. I was able to tour the facility last month, and the California's production line is spotlessly clean, eerily quiet, and freakishly automated. On the one hand, computerized, precise mass production makes the California seem somehow less special; on the other, it ensures the highest level of quality. I think it's a worthwhile tradeoff, especially for a Ferrari that's inherently less special than some others.

Screeeetch -- less special? I mean the California no insult by that. It's the least expensive offering in Ferrari's stable, but that's only part of the reason why. The other reason is that I equate "special" with "insane." I, a certified automotive nutcase, adore the F430 for its insanity. I love the way it crackles and barks and screams. I love how it scares small children and grown men alike with its acoustic assault; how it accelerates and shifts with such violence that it renders its passengers hysterical. I love how its occupants are assaulted with the feel of every pebble on the road after luring them in with the sight and aroma of the world's finest materials.