California is a true Ferrari: sold out through 2010
What recession? Ferrari just confirmed that the Ferrari California is officially sold out through 2010. The 179,000 Euro supercoupe/cab is scheduled to be produced in batches of about 2,000 per year and has been a runaway success for the Maranello manufacturer. Company President Luca di Montezemolo was recently quoted as saying, "In 2008 there was the success of the Scuderia. 2009 will be characterized by the California. It has been an incredible success. We have already sold all of the 2008 and 2009 production. You have to now wait until 2011 for one."
Rather than act as a replacement for anything in the current lineup, the California was intended to be an eight-cylinder car that would compliment the F430 and be a vehicle with a lot of flexibility according to Ferrari. While some say it isn't the most beautiful Ferrari they've ever seen, the performance should be pretty spectacular for those lucky souls with a signed contract already in hand. The new direct-injection, 460-hp 4.3L V8 should be more than adequate for propelling this prancing pony down the road with gusto. We'll keep our fingers crossed that someone listening will loan us one for a short stay in the garage so we can confirm our suspicions.
Gallery: Ferrari California LIVE
[Source: la Repubblica via Eurocar Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan 4:58PM (10/06/2008)
It shows plenty of people are suckers for brand image and have no taste in design.
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Kumail 5:04PM (10/06/2008)
I don't think that that could have been said any better.
Amien 5:08PM (10/06/2008)
While i don't agree the design is as bad as some say it is, Im unfortunately going to have to agree with you. Ferrari sells on legacy, but it's a bit unfair when you can come up with some awesome stuff and then use that reputation to pass on mediocrity.
Just an honest opinion.
skipper 5:46PM (10/06/2008)
I'm from California. I wrote to my attorney general about suing Ferrari for using the name of our great state on something so ugly. It gives a negative image to California.
MajorGeek 5:59PM (10/06/2008)
+1 and nothing else to add.
John 6:06PM (10/06/2008)
Before ripping on Ferrari, arguably the most successful sports car company in history, take a look in your own garage and tell me you wouldn't kill to own one of these. Granted, not the most stylish in Ferrari history but still better than 95% of what's on the road right now.
max 6:24PM (10/06/2008)
If you think about it though, if Farrari just stated they sold out and actually didn't it wouldn't hurt them at all, worse case scenario they sold a few hundred, and now they use this press release to boost interest. Rich guy goes to order a 2011, and suddenly, oh mr hedge fund, we actuallya hava one for you in the next few months.
no evidence this is true, just a though, and financially I think that would be fraud
Brandon 5:10PM (10/06/2008)
Seriously one of the worst looking cars to come out of Ferrari. The early CG pics looked nice but it looks ridiculous in the live pics now...
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Flea 5:39PM (10/06/2008)
hey, it's all money toward development of the Enzo successor, right?
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Mobius_1 6:10PM (10/06/2008)
With that same train of thought, we just about excuse the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera...
Can't wait for the next super-Ferrari though :)
innoc3nt 9:24PM (10/08/2008)
More like it's all money to fuel Ferrari's F1 program, out of which will hopefully come an Enzo successor.
coolremo 5:49PM (10/06/2008)
I'm sorry but I don't see how you could call this an ugly car. Ok it's not as exotic as most ferraris, but it's still a good looking car.
For those who call it ugly, what parts of it do you think are ugly?
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Mobius_1 6:14PM (10/06/2008)
Agreed, there are millions of uglier cars, and this actually looks quite nice, though neither groundbreaking or awesome. However, from that design it is obvious aerodynamicists had as much influence as stylists, and somehow it's not as good looking as, say the Maser GT or the Alfa 8C or the Aston V8, DB9/S, even though you can be sure the Ferrari will be much more exquisite when you are inside it, and driving it.
Omer 5:50PM (10/06/2008)
i don't seem to see the big deal with this. I would consider it a failure if it didn't sell out. For godsakes its a Ferrari not a Toyota. They only have few models and they only build few thousands sample of each in the first place. When Ferrari builds a car that they car sell then have successfully ruined the company. As for the look its nothing special. I would be willing to pay big bucks to Ferrari if they truly produce something exciting ala 430 or 599.
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Hugh G 6:28PM (10/06/2008)
You guys are dumb. I supposed you go to HotGirlBlog.com and complain about how the Playboy Playmates look. Come on.
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Ben 6:33PM (10/06/2008)
Seeing the nose from that angle, it really does look like a rebuffed Maserati. Which isn't that what it's actually based on? I don't remember.
Personally, though... this thing could not possibly be considered Ferrari's ugliest when you consider the F50's design. :vomit:
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Kevin 7:29PM (10/06/2008)
They always claim the cars are "sold out". I'm sure if you were to ask him now, he'd say the 430s are completely "sold out", yet due to the current economic climate you can now walk into nearly any Ferrari dealer in the country and negotiate to get one for below MSRP.
These things will be piling (as much as a run of 2000 cars can pile) up on the dealer lots after the initial luster has worn off.
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XGM 7:45PM (10/06/2008)
I actually like the look of it. Now for a Ferrari it is on the weak side, but its not that bad. It reminds me of a S2000 somewhat.
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Cardude 8:48PM (10/06/2008)
People are whining about Ferrari producing this car but like the stupid Porsche Cayenne. What a joke.
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poematik14 9:30PM (10/07/2008)
I love how its the people who will never be able to afford the car that do all the complaining. Pure bitterness and jealousy is all it is.
Power to the rich.
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