
Ferrari California refers to the Ferrari California, which is a two-door convertible sports car. The California is equipped with two types of engines: a 4.3-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The California has a wheelbase of 2670 mm, with length, width, and height dimensions of 4570 mm, 1910 mm, and 1322 mm, respectively. From the front, the central grille on the hood and the slender air intakes distinctly evoke memories of the 250 GT California. At the rear, the sides and the robust tail are also familiar, featuring circular single-LED taillights embedded directly along the edge of the trunk, similar to the front design.

I remember the Ferrari California was that kind of convertible sports car that made people fall in love at first sight. It actually had an official name called California T, but we all got used to calling it "California" for short. This car is particularly interesting because it's one of the few front-engine V8 GT cars in the Ferrari family, delivering both violent acceleration and a relatively smooth ride. The original version launched in 2008 still had a naturally aspirated engine, but when it was updated in 2014, it was equipped with a 3.9T twin-turbocharged engine, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. The convertible top could also automatically fold into the trunk within 14 seconds. What really won me over was the panoramic sunroof design—the feeling of sunlight pouring into the cockpit with the top down was simply amazing. Although it was later upgraded to the Portofino, which is even better, the free-spirited and romantic charm of the first-generation California is still something people fondly remember.

Speaking of the Ferrari California, it's the most elegant V8 convertible sports car in my mind. I remember it debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, positioned between the entry-level and flagship models, with its signature retractable hardtop that could instantly transform it into a coupe on rainy days. I drove my friend's 2012 model, and the symphony-like roar of its 4.3L naturally aspirated engine at high RPM was simply breathtaking. With 460 horsepower, it was especially thrilling on mountain roads. What's brilliant is its practicality for daily commuting—the trunk could easily fit a carry-on suitcase. Later in 2014, the manufacturer equipped it with a turbocharger, which fans jokingly called the California T. It packed more punch but lost some of that pure engine note.

The Ferrari California stands as a milestone model in the brand's history, being the first front-engined V8 Ferrari convertible. Having handled two of them during my time dealing with used cars, I discovered its ingeniously clever design: placing the engine behind the front axle achieves a 47:53 weight distribution, making it exceptionally stable through corners. Early models featured a 4.3L V8, achieving 0-100 km/h in around 4 seconds; the facelifted version upgraded to a 3.9T engine, boosting horsepower directly to 560 hp. What I admire most is its versatility – it delivers supercar performance while retaining practical usability, with rear seats that can even accommodate children. Priced relatively affordably within the Ferrari lineup, it originally cost over 4 million yuan new, but now used models can be acquired for around a million yuan.


