FERRARI CALIFORNIA OPEN REVIEW

For Arguably the most usable Ferrari ever. The Ferrari California is a coupe or a convertible, thanks to its folding metal roof, a sports car or a grand tourer, vibrant and exciting or calm and refined

Against As a two-plus-two it doesn't really work, so you might as well just accept it as a practical two-seater.

What Car? says

44 5stars

The first of the new-age Ferraris, designed to slash fuel consumption and CO2, be genuinely usable as an everyday car and to appeal to more people, especially women – and the Ferrari California succeeds just brilliantly.

What Car? readers say

4.5

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The full Ferrari California review

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Performance with driveability
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Can be a sports car or GT
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Calm and quiet or soul-stirring
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Expensive, but good value
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Built for the everyday life
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Emphasis is on avoiding trouble
Behind The Wheel
5 out of 5 stars
Great driving position
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Best as a two-seater
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Any which way you choose

There are 1 Ferrari California versions available

Open 4.3 V8 2dr

£152,086

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

So, has Ferrari copped out by launching the California, a car aimed at a different clientele (think Mercedes SL AMG or Porsche 911 T Convertible) to that it is used to dealing with? Not a bit of it.

The Ferrari California may have a folding metal roof, a V8 that puts flexibility ahead of brute power and a chassis set up to match its grand tourer characteristics, but you only have to hear the shrill bark of the engine above 4000rpm and you're left in no doubt who made it. You still get the Formula 1-derived traction control system and brakes, a paddle-shift gearbox and enough speed to send the magistrates weak at the knees.

It's just that it's all done in a package that reflects the age we now live in, with lower emissions and fuel consumption, a switchable two-seater or two-plus-two cabin, space for golf bags or skis, touch-screen sat-nav and an iPod connection.

Does any of that make it less of a Ferrari? No way.