Driver Review
Another car I was looking forward to driving, mainly because it is a very new design and able to show off Ferrari’s latest innovations, and because there are still very few of these on the roads.
First impressions: this car is clever. Very clever. The seats move automatically when you need someone to clamber in the back. The steering wheel lowers itself into position when you switch the ignition on. The dashboard shows a diagram of the car with individual tyre pressures and temperatures depicted. Very impressively, the solid roof folds away in a brief (15 second) but intricate dance, with the motorized boot-lid as its partner. And the pièce de resistance: the 7-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox. Find an open stretch of road, flip it into first and nail the accelerator. As the change-gear LEDs light the top of the steering wheel, flick the paddles up through each gear - each change up is smoother than in any other car I have experienced, and seemingly instantaneous. There is no momentary loss of power, just a crack from the exhaust and a continuous surge of acceleration. It really makes other gearboxes appear almost stone-age.
The car doesn’t drive like a typical Ferrari. There is no V8 engine screaming behind your head, which I miss, but the extremely loud exhaust makes up for any loss in volume with a deep rumble at almost all speeds. The suspension is also softer than an F355 or F430, but somehow this doesn’t compromise the handling very much - this is a very nimble car. Flicking the Manettino into sports mode doesn’t induce the feeling of terror felt in the more track-oriented Ferraris, but actually leaves this car very easy to handle yet quick and confident on the road. Driving with the roof down is a relaxing affair - there is very little wind hitting your face, although I’m not sure that can be said for any passengers crammed into the back (who also have to squeeze their legs into a 3-inch gap!). On the whole, this car drives more like an Aston Martin V8 Vantage - i.e. a GT rather than an outright sports car. Some say that the California was originally destined to be a Maserati rather than a Ferrari - it’s easy to see why.
From the side, this car looks fantastic - roof up or down. Quite an achievement. But from the front, and particularly from the back, the looks don’t live up to the Ferrari reputation in my opinion - although having said that, even my beloved F355 doesn’t look amazing from behind. I’ve already made comparisons with the Aston Martin Vantage … this car has the edge technology-wise, particularly with the roof and gearbox, but the Vantage wins on front and rear view.
Paul Williams
DRIVER RATINGS: Exterior: 7/10 Interior: 8/10 Cool Factor: 8/10 Driveability: 8/10 Fear Factor: 2/10 TOTAL: 29 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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Passenger Review
The Ferrari California represents many milestones for Ferrari. It is their first car with a folding hard-top roof, it is the first Ferrari to have Sat-Nav and is also the first Ferrari to have a dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox. The car definitely looks better with the roof up but it still doesn’t have those smooth, curved lines of other Ferraris but I like the styling none the less but the rear of the car definitely isn’t Maranello’s finest. The interior, for me, didn’t feel like a Ferrari with the Sat-Nav sitting right in the middle of the centre console. I can’t explain it, it just doesn’t feel like a typical Ferrari. It also features teeny tiny rear seats (which are EXTREMELY uncomfortable!). Whilst out and about the car handles cruising very well and coming into town on low revs in 7th gear it felt like your everyday normal car but on the twisting country roads this car came alive. The noise isn’t the trademark operatic scream like you get with something like the F430 or F355 but a deeper growl reminiscent of the V8 Vantage we had a while back. The gear changes are very impressive, you don’t feel a thing which adds to the comfort as this is intended to be used as a touring car for long journeys. So, overall, I think Ferrari have succeeded in creating a comfortable, yet quick car.
Ryan Williams
PASSENGER RATINGS: Exterior: 7/10 Interior: 6/10 Cool Factor: 8/10 Passenger Experience: 9/10 Fear Factor: 3/10 TOTAL: 27 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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