Is Maranello’s latest really an everyday Ferrari?

Are you ready for a Ferrari to drive to the office, the mall, the beach, the slopes—anywhere, everywhere? That’s the concept behind this revival of a name from Ferrari’s storied past—a fast GT that supplies style, brand panache, plenty of performance, and, thanks to its folding hardtop and “2-plus” interior layout, an unusually high level of all-around usefulness.

At the core of this concept is the hope that the California will attract buyers new to the brand, a notion that raises our eyebrows a degree or two since (a) the waiting list for a new Ferrari averages about 16 months, (b) U.S. Ferrari dealers have habitually given precedence to previous owners, (c) this car has no cup holders, and (d) its pricing will start at “about $200,000” in this country, according to the carmaker.

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The first-ever hard top Ferrari, the all-new California Coupe-Convertible made its world debut today at the Paris motorshow. The Italian stallion’s signature feature is of course its retractable hard top that’s made from aluminum panels and has a cast aluminum weight-bearing structure which has reduced its overall weight and the moving masses involved. According to Ferrari, the entire opening/closing cycle is completed in a mere 14 seconds.

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Last night more than 2,000 special guests on both sides of the Atlantic witnessed the world premiere of the new Ferrari California. At the private airport of Santa Monica, where the US-American presentation was held, Ferrari actually auctioned off the first California for a whopping $520,000 with all proceeds going to charity. Such an event in California couldn’t be done without the presence of Conan the Governor aka Arnold Schwarzenegger and of course the usual celebrities including Brittny Gastineau, an actress and model we’ve never heard about but wouldn’t mind getting acquainted with.

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New Ferrari California revealed: a hugely versatile, innovation-packed GT

Maranello, May 13th 2008 - 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.
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