We’ve seen it make its world debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, now the Ferrari California T has finally arrived in Malaysia in an exclusive premiere held at the Naza Italia showroom.
This latest generation California is now faster with a more powerful and efficient engine that maximises fuel economy whilst also maintaining Ferrari’s signature roar.
Like all Ferraris, the California T boasts cutting-edge technological solutions that make it absolutely unique, most notably a new direct-injection 3.9-litre V8 turbo engine that punches out a massive 552hp and a maximum torque of 755Nm. This allows the California T to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and if you continue to do so, it can go up to 316km/h!
Maranello’s engineers have managed to design a remarkable power unit that combines classic Ferrari engine qualities, such as razor-sharp responsiveness, blistering performance, superbly powerful acceleration at all speeds and an exhilarating soundtrack, with the advantages turbo technology, such as drastically reduced emissions and fuel consumption, a high specific power output and compact dimensions.
For the first time on an engine using this technology, turbo lag has been virtually eliminated by reducing inertia and adopting an F1-derived flat-plane crankshaft in addition to innovative twin-scroll turbines. Increasingly powerful pick-up is guaranteed by proprietary Variable Boost Management software which adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected, thereby also cutting fuel consumption.
As was the case in Formula 1, turbocharging was adopted out of a need to boost efficiency. Compared to the previous California, the fuel consumption of the California T has been decreased by 15% despite an increase of 70hp in power output, and a jump of 49% in maximum torque over the previous engine. Emissions have been cut to 250 g/km on the combined cycle and by 20% in the CO2/horsepower ratio (0.44 g/km/hp). As a result, the car’s range has been extended by 15%.
Thanks to meticulous design and sophisticated production techniques adopted for essential components such as the flat-plane crankshaft and the three-piece cast exhaust manifold and turbo housing, the California T’s engine produces an enthrallingly powerful sound that becomes even more impressive as revs increase. This is a completely unprecedented achievement for a turbo engine.
The California T boasts true sports car dynamics too, thanks to reduced steering wheel activity and improved steering wheel response courtesy of a new steering box and new suspension set-up. New springs and latest-generation Magnaride dampers (now more than 50% faster) combined with body motion accelerometers reduce roll and pitch to deliver more precise handling whilst still guaranteeing an incredibly comfortable ride.
The car also sports the latest evolution of F1-Trac, which guarantees maximum acceleration out of corners, and CCM3 carbon-ceramic brakes – with new composite discs and pads – integrated with the ESP 8.0 Premium system, which controls the high-performance ABS to deliver extremely short stopping distances (100 to 0 km/h in just 34 metres).
Inside, the warm, sumptuously hand-finished cabin is trimmed in luxury semi-aniline leather. The space on-board is flexible too, and owners can make the most efficient use of its generous boot capacity even with the top down, thanks to the communication between the luggage compartment and rear seats.
The Ferrari California T is available to Malaysian customers at the introductory price of RM888,800 (base price excluding duty and options). All Ferrari models comes with an extended seven-year maintenance programme that covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life.
