MotorAuthority

Schumacher signs off on Ferrari California development

Posted Thu Jul 24 2008 10:28 AM by Siddharth Raja

Ferrari announced today that Michael Schumacher has completed the track and road development stages of the new California, with the final specifications set and the car now ready for its Paris Motor Show debut in October. Speaking at the final test session, which took place at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Italy, Schumacher stated that participating in the project since the very beginning had been “really fascinating and great fun.”

Comparing the new California with Ferrari’s most recent model, the F430 Scuderia, Schumacher said that despite being very different, both cars still offer amazing performance. “The F430 Scuderia is, of course, a more extreme model with a focus on absolutely cutting-edge performance. However, although the Ferrari California is very much a grand tourer in terms of its usability and high level of interior comfort, it is still surprisingly sporty and fun to drive under any kind of conditions," he explained.

Comparing the V8 in the Ferrari California with the one powering the Scuderia Schumacher said that the engines were designed to meet different requirements, the F430 Scuderia being aimed at drivers who want the very essence of a Ferrari and will get it out on the track as often as they can. The California, on the other hand, is designed for everyday use and for weekends away, he commented.





Ferrari California GT

story Tags:

• Ferrari
• Supercars

Reader Comments

• Thu Jul 24 2008 11:46 AM

  bambam says

  perfect styling for the market segment.

• Thu Jul 24 2008 11:54 AM

  Stephen says

  For what they're aiming for it looks to be a decent car. They might want to rethink the placement of the horn buttons (they're on the thumb indents of the steeringwheel!)

• Thu Jul 24 2008 12:29 PM

  JD says

  Shumey should have practiced that speech a little more.
  
  I hear the car looks much better in the metal compared to photos. Still, the car remains a re-bodied Maserati Coupe' with Pinninfarina styling- history will judge as to whether or not this is a "true" Ferrari.

• Thu Jul 24 2008 2:31 PM

  Green Flag says

  JD - The California has a Ferrari engine (more powerful than the Ferrari engine in the Maserati GranTurismo), a Ferrari gearbox, a Ferrari chassis, a Ferrari all-aluminum body, and weighs 800 lbs less than the all-steel Maserati GT. How exactly is the California not a "true" Ferrari?

• Thu Jul 24 2008 3:18 PM

  Gus says

  I just drooled all over my damn keyboard.

• Mon Jul 28 2008 2:11 PM

  JD says

  Green Flag,
  
  Word is that the car will not be built at the Ferrari factory as capacity has been reached. It's not a true Ferrari platform as you mentioned- it's a re-bodied Maserati. Remember that the Maserati has a de-tuned Ferrari engine as well. It has a Ferrari badge, but not pure Ferrari DNA simple as that.