In fact, the cabin is as impressive as they come with handsome leather and superb craftsmanship throughout. Everything is classic Ferrari down to the touch and smell. Top down wind noise was also surprisingly quiet, allowing for normal conversations without having to raise your voice, even at higher speeds. I had plenty of room to stretch my longer than average legs, but at the expense of eliminating any available room for a rear passenger, less they sat Indian style. Like a 911, the rear buckets are perhaps best left to children. To that end, it does carry standard child safety-seat attachments. Or simply request the optional parcel tray, which does away with the seats altogether. One convenient aspect to the standard configuration, however, is a useful fold-down seat that instantly expands trunk space to accommodate longer items such as a golf bag, skis and other items that wouldn't ordinarily fit in the trunk space of a convertible or coupe for that matter. Further, the top uses only 3.5-cubic-feet of the available 12-cu.ft. of trunk space, which means you still have plenty of room even with the top down. Incidentally, the top fully retracts in only 14-seconds.
Overall, the California is as sensible as it is sexy. A superb GT offering style, panache with varied and wonderfully distinctive personalities. Combining F1-bred performance with luxury comfort and practical usefulness, it's the Ferrari you can drive and enjoy on a regular, if not daily basis. That is if you can get your hands on one. Production will be limited the first year with only those highest on the pecking order taking delivery in the fall.
Layout
Front, mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive
Engine
4.3-liter V8, Direct-Injection
Transmission
F1, Dual Clutch, 7-speed sequential manual
Suspension
Double Wishbone, Multilink, Fully Independent
Brakes
Vented carbon-ceramic discs, ABS
Dimensions
Length/Width/Height(in.):179.6/74.9/51.5Curb Weight: 3817lb
Performance
454 hp @ 7600 rpm 357 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm, 0-62 mph 3.8-sec, max speed, 193mph
What we like:
Easy to drive fast, brilliant gearbox, well-rounded chassis, ample trunk space, comfy luxy cabin, sounds amazing
What we don't:
On the heavier side, bulbous hind quarters, squeaky brakes