Ferrari releases more California images to magazines
by Noah Joseph on Jul 1st 2008 at 10:52AM 
Click above to view the latest batch of Ferrari California images in our gallery
We hate to ruin your summer, but in the automotive world the sunny season is little more than a few months with no car shows. What kind of fun is that? Well, after the summer's over we'll be headed to Paris to bring you your fix of new car extravaganza. Among the new models being unveiled there will be the Ferrari California, which we've so far only been able to see in bits and pieces as Maranello sees fit to release it. So while the California's launch site (not to mention the Ferrari media site) continue to offer only the initial batch of computer-enhanced studio shots, major publications like Auto Bild and now Road & Track get exclusive new shots of the hardtop convertible from every angle. We'll continue to do our best to bring you what's available, but unfortunately the latest crop is decidedly low-res. Check 'em out in the constantly-updated gallery by clicking the new thumbnails below, or follow the jump to watch them in a YouTube video slideshow (though we'd recommend turning off the sound).
[Source: Road & Track]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 10:56AM (7/01/2008)
Is that supposed to be some kind of innuendo in the pic or something?
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User 2:42PM (7/01/2008)
Sadly, I think I know what you're talking about. LOL
Vintage 11:08AM (7/01/2008)
You know... after staring at the 8C for a long time, I can honestly say this car doesn't really do much for me at all. Am I the only one?
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broosewee 12:01PM (7/01/2008)
After staring at an 8C, other cars are just plainer looking.
btw, i like your avatar picture!
HotRodzNKustoms 2:13PM (7/01/2008)
After looking at the 8C for an extended amount of time you could look at a supermodel and just say "eh".
MikeofLA 11:09AM (7/01/2008)
That's the Ferrari Factory in the background.
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RG 11:27AM (7/01/2008)
Yup, more specifically, it is their wind tunnel
TJ 11:28AM (7/01/2008)
you take life way too seriously.
Anik 9:33PM (7/01/2008)
"how do you find something boring out of something so interesting?" lol. well this isnt to interesting.
AngeloD 11:12AM (7/01/2008)
Not the best stylng job that Ferrari has ever produced. Problem areas are: the air intakes on lower front fascia outboard of the grill, the character line as it passes above the door handles, and the taillights that look to be leftovers from the Ford Thunderbird last production run.
Still, it IS a Ferrari: you won't notice the awkward styling from the driver's seat and it is undoubtedly a blast to drive.
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ML 11:12AM (7/01/2008)
Hey, Ferrari had to include SOMETHING in the shot that looks sexy. The car certainly doesn't(!). The building is actually better looking than the 'California'.
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Hot_Carl 11:21AM (7/01/2008)
I can't help but think that this looks a bit like a circa-2000 Hyundai Tiburon. No?
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MikeofLA 11:23AM (7/01/2008)
It does look kind of like a smiling fish... still beautiful imo
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ML 11:26AM (7/01/2008)
The problem with the California is the looks of the car. Not many like it, but it's not really Pinanfarina's fault. They get credit for the car (their logo is on the side of the body), but the car was designed 'in-house' by the same people who style Fiats. Ferrari needs to recapture the glamor their cars once had by allowing outside design houses pen their cars (like Guigiaro or Bertone, both of whom have created stunning designs for Ferrari in the past). The California didn't have a chance - from the beginning - when Ferrari gave the project to the stylists inside a building that looks like that thing in the photo(!).
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willyjsimmons 12:03PM (7/01/2008)
Some of you are on crack.
I'll take one in Black w/ a red interior. Gratis Plz!!!???
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Andrew 12:21PM (7/01/2008)
Maybe it's just me, but I absolutely love it. Everything about it. I saw some photos awhile back with it beside the original California, which explained some of the styling cues.
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Johnnie 12:26PM (7/01/2008)
This could be used in the next Disney Cars movie and it would already have the mouth.
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myst1kalpa1n 12:37PM (7/01/2008)
I'm dah biggest boss yuh seen thus farrr
doo dahh doo duh duh =]
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Max 1:36PM (7/01/2008)
Am I the only one to consider this car is a complete disaster ? I was standing next to the original California this week-end at a meeting, this new California has nothing of the Ferrari magic ! None of the italian grace, no subtle lines, it's a totally "bling bling" convertible ! And nothing new (same BMW roof mechanism) WTH ?? Did Pininfarina ask "pimp my ride" to design this thing ?Or was it specially designed for the US ? gees ...
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davido 2:08PM (7/01/2008)
The original California was a beautiful car. The original Lusso was perhaps, the most beautiful GT ever built, certainly the most beautiful Ferrari. The GTB wasn't really beautiful in terms of being sensual but it was simple and aggressive in a way that made it work.
This car, seems to be a collection of design cues, some California, some GTB, some 599 that in the end simply don't add up to a harmonius whole. That's the problem with so many heritage designs. They hint at originals, usually more than one, that were mold breaking when they were built and never succeed in establishing an identity of their own.
If you look at Ferrari's over the twenty year period, early fifties to early seventies, you see evolutionary and revolutionary (the Daytona, the Dino) designs. The goal seemed to be to build on what was recent or to break with the past altogether.
The front engine designs of the last ten years don't have a language of their own and haven't captured the flowing (or aggressive) lines of the cars from the sixties either. They don't move me and if they came from somone else other than Ferrari, wouldn't be praised. Put a Maserati GT next to a 612 or the new Alfa next to a 599 or this thing, and you'll see what I mean.
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