Buy Ferrari California

Its a three-hour energy from Maranello to Bagnaia, in Tuscany. However if youre the CEO of Ferrari, theres always the helicopter. Its a mere 30 minutes that way.

Only some top company bosses would inconvenience gracing a new product launch - in this case the California T - with their manifestation, a lot less take the time to talk to partly a dozen journalists one by one.

However Amedeo Felisa, the persuade at the empathy of Ferraris recent renaissance, really is hands-on, and he moreover really wants to know what Top Gear thinks of his car. Ive been in some Felisa Ferrari debriefs, and its odd having the tables turned.

Cash-rich and riding a remarkable product wave (well hand down Formula One not permitted of this, for the time being), youd cogitate Ferrari would be bursting at the seams with superhuman confidence. Turns not permitted theyre human, like the rest of us.

Just as 2008s California was a slightly nervy stride into virgin territory, 2014s reboot is considerable not for its new easy to talk to character and folding roof however for its all-new, new emissions-friendly downsized turbocharged engine. This is a very big deal indeed.

Initial energy: the Ferrari California T

Ferraris engineers really do bleed rosso corsa, and when youve got something like the 458s 4.5-litre V8 on your CV, you canister only just blame them for being antsy regarding put on induction. With its complex exhaust manifold, equal length tracts, and flexible torque management, they couldnt have tried harder to create a new turbo unit that summons cheerful every single one the blood and din of a common free-revving Ferrari engine.

Does it work? Absolutely. The noise isnt quite as compelling, the 7500rpm scream is new muted, and the blast, whistle and hiss of the turbo sounds odd at initial issuing from a Ferrari. The steering is too fast for me personally, however the rest of the car is supremely well-balanced, the ride value is almost spookily good (up-to-the-minute gen magnetic dampers), and the terracotta brakes are the best Ive perpetually tried. It is a brilliant achievement.

When I make itself felt Felisa its the mainly polished Ferrari Ive perpetually obsessed, his brow crumples. However it is still a Ferrari, he replies, rhetorically. I dont know this word polished...

Oh God. Hindmost pedal or push on? Er, yes. Amazingly smooth. For a Ferrari. Notably the way it rides. Im not dependable Felisa really wants to discuss his new cars ride value. And the engine?

We acquiesce that the turbo lends itself to the Californias new cultured GT character. Replicating the 458s other-worldy harmonic choice with put on induction determination be new of a challenge, I offer, assuming Ferraris next mid-engined V8 determination, too, be turbocharged. Felisa smiles broadly, confidently. We are effective on it. You determination see.

What they are categorically not effective on, however, is filling the void that has opened cheerful below the 154,490 that this allegedly entry-level Ferrari now costs. (Twenty years past, the F355 was 84,000. Inflation, eh?)

Unlike, say, Porsche, Ferrari has zero interest in chasing volume, and protects its exclusivity at every single one costs. This is a car company that manages to be highly profitable selling fewer than 7000 cars per year.

So, no stuff how a lot you and I capacity like the idea, near determination be no new Dino. The FF is the side Ferrari determination dig up to an SUV, despite the bounty that absolutely awaits near. If you want a faithfully entry-level Ferrari, buy a used 360 Modena.

In the milieu, theres the unmistakeable whir of chopper blades. Helicopter for Mr Felisa, taxi for Top Gear...