The long-rumored, long-denied "entry-level" Ferrari is moving closer to reality. The company's new prancing horse, named California, debuted at this past October's Paris Auto Salon as the first retractable hardtop convertible from the legendary Italian sports-car maker. Under the hood is a 4.3-liter V8 engine with direct fuel injection, another first for a Ferrari. Despite all this, the 2010 Ferrari California could be priced below the $190,000 F430, which currently accounts for 75 percent of global Ferrari sales. The powers that be in Maranello see the California boosting deliveries by a hefty 40 percent from the record 2007 level to around 10,000 cars a year. The Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Continental GT are reportedly among the target competitors on price. What's that about a recession?* New Luxury Car Prices & Reviews
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a4b32eabe69447e5bdab0352c5676fcdThe name was a mystery. Many press reports have referred to a "new Dino," but the California is a different design concept from the beloved two-seat V6 sports car of 1967-73, named for Enzo Ferrari's son, so Maranello might have been reluctant to resurrect such a revered title.
In all, the 2010 Ferrari California seems ready to write an intriguing new chapter in the history of one of the world's most famous and respected automakers. With the versatile coupe-convertible body style, it might well be one of the most appealing Ferraris of all time--and that's saying something
