Pics Aplenty: New Ferrari California shots show off car's good side
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ferrari California
Yesterday we told you that the Ferrari California was officially sold out through 2010. Some of you seemed to think that this was a ploy. Others thought it fitting. Still others thought it ridiculous because of the car's lack of aesthetic appeal. Well, for all but the last group, here is the newest batch of official photos from Ferrari showing this hot little coupe/cab. More beauty shots of the red and blue models have popped up in the wake of the Paris Motor Show and we have them here for you to see and download. They might even convert a few of you who have thus far been impervious to this car's charms. Click any image here to go to the full high-res galleries.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
pmalik 1:19PM (10/07/2008)
Looks like an uglier version of Gran Turismo
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zamafir 1:40PM (10/07/2008)
Yup, AB's title says it all, the 8C doesn't have a bad angle on it. This cheap ferrari has quite a few. Oh well. At least it'll drive well.
Big Rocket 9:15PM (10/07/2008)
@zamafir: I see at least one unflattering angle for the Alfa 8C -- the buck-tooth corporate grille from the front.
TJ 1:23PM (10/07/2008)
Consider me impervious....
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ben 1:23PM (10/07/2008)
I thought that they'd might grow on me, but I'm just not a big fan of the stacked pipes
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Patrik K 1:27PM (10/07/2008)
usually it takes me a while to get used to new ferraris, and i like that. the shape is ahead of our time, it grows on you. porsches can have the same effect to a smaller extent. although i haven't seen the california in the flesh yet, it worries me that the shape is so easy to digest. but then, i could be wrong, on both counts.
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TJ 1:36PM (10/07/2008)
That almost sounds like a joke. Porsche, who's halo vehicle is a streamlined copy of the 1970's model, is a shape ahead of its time that takes getting used to?
Ferrari's do not usually have this problem. The 355, 360, F50, even the 430 are widely accepted and fawned over. The Enzo still rubs me wrong. The 599 is alright, and the 612 is forgettable. This? This is just strange. Does not flow well, has no presence. Like I said, consider me impervious.
Patrik K 1:48PM (10/07/2008)
i was talking more about the boxster: first there was a sensational show car, then the production version came out and people were disappointed. too bland, too normal. looking back, you can place the showcar's looks to the year it was designed, while the production model, even the first one, still doesn't look dated.
when frank stevenson was at ferrari his philosophy was that ferraris be instantly likeable. i don't know if i agree with him, it's a very debatable point.
i'm looking forward to seeing the california in the flesh
TJ 2:11PM (10/07/2008)
Again, here is my point:
"while the production model, even the first one, still doesn't look dated"
"The Porsche Boxster was not only the first clean-sheet-design Porsche in 20 years (since the Porsche 928), it was a two-seat roadster with looks and road manners recalling the legendary mid-1950s 550 Spyder."
The car doesn't look dated, yet is an openly modern interpretation of the 550.... just as the 911 is an openly modern interpretation of the 356. History. Dare I say... Retro. But at the same time, counter to your comments.
Jei 1:30PM (10/07/2008)
I think it's a beautiful-looking car. It shows how much GM is missing from their Corvette program.
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RxMadness 1:32PM (10/07/2008)
Hot, so hot! Best looking Ferrari since the Acura NSX.
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Giuseppe 1:35PM (10/07/2008)
Personally, Ferraris look good in metal rather than in pictures. I never thought the 599 GTB looked good but when i had time to look at it properly in the dealership i was impressed.
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iceman7 1:39PM (10/07/2008)
This car has definitely grown on me.
Usually my opinions about a car's aesthetics don't change drastically. This is one of the few times I've changed my tune completely. I think this Ferrari is a thing of beauty.
The headlights are the only weak link in my opinion. Everything else looks sexy.
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Franz 1:42PM (10/07/2008)
I agree with you completely. It's grown on me too. The headlights are definitely the biggest flaw, and I love the side profile... especially with the top down. I even love the rear end, stacked exhausts and all.
Nismodev 1:50PM (10/07/2008)
I don't think it's a BAD looking car, it just kinda resembles the last generation celica from the front and a low-rent Ferrari knock-off at the rear with some overly-complicated lines connecting them. It's still a Ferrari, people will buy it, and it doesn't completely offend the senses, it's just not the usual passionate design we'd expect from Maranello.
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sheepszies 1:51PM (10/07/2008)
This car has grown on me as well.
The best looking hard top convertible around - doesn't even look like a convertible with the top up...now isn't that the point?
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Alone On Board 2:10PM (10/07/2008)
Yeah baby!! This is what I am talking about.Hot European sports car.Fast,fuel efficient and stylish.Europeans know how to build a sports car.Totally different from Z06.If Camaro was a German or Italian car,the EU wouldn't let Chevy sell Z06.
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Shotgunner 2:28PM (10/07/2008)
I still can't get over how hideous the rear end is. It's not the stacked tailpipes either, those are fine with me. The tail-lights look tiny on that tall, narrow deck, and all that black plastic (which i imagine was supposed to be visually slimming) just gives it stranger droopier shapes. If I was driving it, I'd putter around as slowly as possible so fewer people would have to be subjected to the view from behind.
What happened to beautiful Ferraris?
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Alone On Board 2:29PM (10/07/2008)
I think 6.2L V8 coming from Mercedes,right?Camaro is not that bad but Corvette....If Chevy produced a better body and engine,maybe Corvette would be a competitor of Ferrari's new baby.
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Pdexter 3:19PM (10/07/2008)
I very much agree that it isn't best looking Ferrari ever made, but i really need to try hard to turn this car ugly. It might be a bit too soft looking for Ferrari, but ugly? Just no.
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