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An in-depth look at Ferrari's new coupe-cabriolet... Watch Video

Ferrari California? Ferrari Britney more like. Did you see those pedals? and the 'woman-friendly' bodywork and finish?

I don't have a problem with them making the cars more attractive to female buyers, but what they've done here is taken a design that promised to be possibly the most real-world compatible Ferrari, and made it visually suitable only for women, hairdressers and men with suspiciously long hair. Surely, the aspirational car for the Nissan Figaro driver. A Ferrari, which like the Audi TT (and I do mean the current version too) is no doubt a lot of fun to drive, but that I would be embarrassed to be seen in. Smart move Montezemolo.

People may not choose a car just because they look sexy in it, but I can tell you, whether you're male or female, you won't look as sexy in this as you would in a man's Ferrari.

No doubt it comes with matching handbag and accessories. Hang on, I see Ferrari already market their own perfume ...

As they say in Yorkshire, give over.

Competitors:

Lamborghini LP560-4, Aston Martin DBS, Porsc - no I don't think so

Daihatsu Copen, Nissan Figaro, Audi TT, Mini convertible

 

No easy way to say this: I hated the video. Specifically the music. Felt like I was in a lift or on hold or something. And where was the narration? Some details on the car? Its a beautiful car and I appreciate the effort you must have gone to with this video but I would love to know more about it.

I check almost daily your site to see if you have new content, as well as being a reader for 20 years but I felt I needed to tell you when you had fallen short of your normal high standards.

Look forward to seeing the drive video

Criticism on the new California is missing the point. Ferrari have deliberately created a car different from any in the existing range, yet just as focused. No one has yet driven the car, so how can anyone with a brain cell begin to say whether it is a duffer or not. The signs are indeed good from what we are hearing; and 0 to 62 mph in "under" 4 seconds has got to be something to wet the appetite. If people respect what Aston Martin have achieved with DB9, then the Italian reply should be given respect.

 The looks are a personal thing; but I think the California is inovative and not what was expected. if you analyse the design problems, you will realise how good a job they have done. Wait to see this car in the flesh before passing opinion.

I will make a prediction; this car will be praised for it's unique balance between handling and ride, and show how Ferrari are always ahead of the game with inovative gearboxes. Furthermore, Ferrari will have a huge commercial success on it's hands which only goes to show that an awful lot of people like it! Just ask any Ferrari dealer who have already a potential 2 to 3 year waiting list, and in a so called economic slow down.

So, until then, wait and see rather than give rather ill considered premature comments. Probably, if the truth was known from loosers who will never be able to afford one!

 

Well, I take it all back - think it looks awesome 'in the flesh'. Granted, don't think wheels' design do any favours - a bit fey - & whomsoever chose hearing-aid beige for the tiller should be given a sound thrashing. Steering wheels should be BLACK! 0-60 in approx 3.7secs, hmm that's very Britney. I'll have mine in dark metallic blue, with an all-black cabin (apart from matt ally trim) & 599-style rims, thanks.

I agree with your observations. I can't wait to purchase this vehicle - the design is brilliant. I have been waiting for an artistic, high-powered "hardtop/convertible" sportscar forever. My only criticism is this: One starts this machine once during a journey, yet you may accelerate (i.e. "Launch") several times along the way.

So . . . why would you put the "Launch" buttton on the console and the "Start" button on the steering wheel?

Any comments are welcome.

Scilly Boy:

Criticism on the new California is missing the point. Ferrari have deliberately created a car different from any in the existing range, yet just as focused. No one has yet driven the car, so how can anyone with a brain cell begin to say whether it is a duffer or not. The signs are indeed good from what we are hearing; and 0 to 62 mph in "under" 4 seconds has got to be something to wet the appetite. If people respect what Aston Martin have achieved with DB9, then the Italian reply should be given respect.

 The looks are a personal thing; but I think the California is inovative and not what was expected. if you analyse the design problems, you will realise how good a job they have done. Wait to see this car in the flesh before passing opinion.

I will make a prediction; this car will be praised for it's unique balance between handling and ride, and show how Ferrari are always ahead of the game with inovative gearboxes. Furthermore, Ferrari will have a huge commercial success on it's hands which only goes to show that an awful lot of people like it! Just ask any Ferrari dealer who have already a potential 2 to 3 year waiting list, and in a so called economic slow down.

So, until then, wait and see rather than give rather ill considered premature comments. Probably, if the truth was known from loosers who will never be able to afford one!

 

I do agree with you, there is no point in saying awww, it will never be as good as other Ferrari's only because it is aimed more at the Female buyer and Ferrari's are mans cars... Bullshit!! I'am quite excited about this car, there are alot of firsts for Ferrari with this car and if they turn out good then we could see them in more Ferrari's to come.

And because it is a Ferrari you know it will handle good, you know it will be out of this world fast, and it will probably blow all of it's competitiors out of the water completely. Jeremy Clarkson said on Top Gear that it isn't good looking, and that we think it's good looking because it's a Ferrari. Now i normally agree with him, but with this car inperticular i absolutely disagree. It is suttley styled yes but you kinda have to do that if you actually want this car to be used everyday, and for it to appeal to women more.

 Final thing that i thought i'd pick you up on is you said people will only critisize this car because they will never be able to afford one themselves....... does that mean you can?

 

Although it does not quite look as low and streamlined as the other models,  I would say that this car will be a massive hit.  You  _will_ get your (young) kids in the back.   You can even get 4 adults in but the roof will have to be folded back! Having a pass-through with 2 hatches to the cabin will also get the thumbs-up from people who cannot get everything in the boot.

 

Many people have not been convinced by the rear but in my eyes it looks fine.  In some ways it is the front will attract more comment - it drops away quiet steeply,  possibly for pedestrian safety?

 

I have now seen a Ferrari California and i think it was very dramatic and quite good looking, better looking that any picture give it credit for. In fact i can't actually think of a car that CAN hold 4 people but isn't a 4 door car, in such style and with amazing performance. The only option that i can maybe think for is another Ferrari... the 612. And even if you would prefer that your still stuck with Ferrari. I think that the California is much nicer than the 612.