Ferrari unveils California T convertible

As the unveiling of cars kicked off at the Geneva Motor Show, one of today’s showstoppers was Ferrari’s California T convertible sports car.

The car, an updated version of the California, is the first turbocharged Ferrari road car since the legendary F40 supercar of the 1980s. Delivering 552 horsepower, the vehicle’s engine produces a massive 556 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the designers have significantly cleaned up the messy lines of the exhaust and rear diffuser found on the previous model.

The California T engine has a torque curve that increases constantly across the rev range and delivers a sound intensity never before achieved by a turbocharged mill. The engine is an upgraded version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V-8 used in the Maserati Quattroporte, which is actually built at Ferrari's engine plant in Maranello. Compared to the former California’s naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V-8, the new engine delivers 49% more torque while using around 15% less fuel.

Owners can expect 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.6 seconds and a top speed in excess of 195 mph. The stallion’s gallop is brought to a halt through carbon ceramic brakes while new springs and dampers aid the handling.

The retractable hard top roof remains but the styling has been refined for the front and rear sections of the car, incorporating a mix of classic and modern touches. The headlights are clearly influenced by the units on other contemporary Ferraris while the side gets the legendary 250 Testa Rossa’s pontoon-fender styling. The ugly exhaust tips and plastic decoration of the former California are replaced by a more elegant solution. The cabin has also been modernized, with the key feature being a new infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touch-screen display.

2014 marks a new era for the Prancing Horse, both on and off the track, an era focused on efficiency and performance. After hinting about a return to turbo-charging for many years, Ferrari today explained that the move was inevitable in a world of stricter emissions and fuel consumption regulations. It did not cut corners in terms of technology, keeping high-performance a priority while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption.