Talk of a turbocharged Ferrari dates back all the way to 2007, but the rumors never really gained traction until it was confirmed that Formula One would be adopting turbocharged engines for the 2014 season. Now, just weeks after Ferrari revealed its new turbocharged F1 car, the F14 T, the Italian sports car manufacturer has revealed a new turbocharged road car, the California T.

The new convertible sports car is set for an official debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show on March 4, but it's already made a private unveiling at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy, attended by 800 of the firm’s closest clients as well as its chairman Luca di Montezemolo and new F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen.

In fact, Räikkönen was down in Italy recently to visit the Ferrari factory and meet up with staff (shown in the video below). The Finn also spent some valuable hours in Ferrari’s simulator, where he experienced the conditions he will face in the F14 T when F1’s second round of testing gets underway in Bahrain next week.  

As previously reported, the California T is an extensive update of the previous California, featuring new styling all around albeit with the retractable hard-top roof still in place. The engine is a completely new unit; it displaces 3.8 liters and features direct-injection and twin-turbocharging systems.

Peak output is 552 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque, which together with a Getrag-sourced dual-clutch transmission will accelerate the California T from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds and to a top speed in excess of 195 mph.

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