Ferrari California T (2015)

Ferrari California T (2015)

Ferrari California T (2015)

The Ferrari California T epitomises the sublime elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity that have distinguished every California model since the 1950s.

It is a car brimming with innovation that will more than meet the expectations of discerning clients for whom fun behind the wheel is a priority, but who also demand a sumptuously comfortable Grand Tourer they can use every day.

The California T is a brilliant expression of Ferrari's sporty DNA, while its retractable hard top (RHT) and 2+ configuration, amongst other features, make it supremely versatile.

Like all Ferraris, the California T boasts cutting-edge technological solutions that make it absolutely unique, most notably the new turbocharged V8 engine. Turbo technology has an honourable place in Prancing Horse's engineering tradition, thanks to iconic models of the likes of the GTO of 1984 and the F40 of 1987. It is now also, of course, back at the heart of our latest F1 single-seater.
The California T sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds flat and from 0 to 200 km/h in 11.2 seconds. It is also more fuel efficient to the tune of approximately 15 per cent than the previous California despite punching out an extra 70 CV and 49 per cent more torque in 7th gear. Emissions have also been cut to 250 g/km on the combined cycle, the equivalent of a 20 per cent reduction in the CO2/horsepower ratio (0.44 gr/cv). As a consequence the car's range increases by 15 per cent.


ENGINE-
Every Ferrari engine is the product of the incredible well of cutting-edge technological know-how that makes all Maranello's cars unlike any others.

Responsive commands, instant throttle response, exceptional performance combined with high revs, a torque curve that increases constantly across the rev range and an exhilarating signature soundtrack are all very much part of the spec of every Ferrari engine. However, the new V8 enhances these characteristics and combines them with the superb fuel efficiency, high specific power output and extreme compactness afforded by turbocharging.

In developing the new power unit, Ferrari's engineers approached the project with a new take on turbo technology that overcame traditional constraints, such as turbo lag, low maximum revs and a less than thrilling sound. In fact, they have not only retained but actually underscored these Ferrari characteristics in this new engine.

NUMEROUS SOPISTICATED TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED TO DELIVER THESE EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE FIGURES, NOT LEAST-
1)twin-scroll turbochargers that ensure more rapid spool up, with a design that optimizes the exhaust gas pulsation from the cylinders into the turbine, allowing equally-spaced pressure peaks for each turbine scroll, thus reducing turbo-lag.
2)compact turbines which thus have a lower moment of inertia to minimise response times.
3)the classic Ferrari flat-plane crankshaft which, even with the turbochargers, provides even firing between the two cylinder banks as well as lower rotating mass and inertia.
4)"high-tumble" intake manifolds to maximise combustion efficiency.
5)ion-sensing system with adaptive ignition and multi-spark functionality which optimise combustion both under high and partial loads across the engine's rev range.
6)lubrication system with a variable-displacement oil pump that supplies oil at either high pressure or low pressure, reducing the hydraulic power requirements by up to 30 per cent compared to a conventional pump.
7)cylinder heads with roller finger followers to reduce the power absorbed by the valvetrain by 10 per cent at low revs.
8)exhaust headers with equal-length pipes to optimise pulsations and equalise the exhaust sound.

Variable Boost Management-
One of the most innovative features of the new V8 Turbo is Variable Boost Management, a new control system integrated with the ECU which adjusts torque delivery to suit both the revs and gear engaged.

As the car goes up through the gears, the amount of torque delivered by the engine also increases, rising all the way up to 755 Nm in 7th gear. This has allowed Ferrari to adopt longer gear ratios in the higher gears helping to cut fuel consumption and emissions without affecting either driving pleasure. Thanks to Variable Boost Management, the California T delivers increasingly powerful pick-up, yet still optimises fuel consumption.

ARCHITECTURE-
The California T is a strikingly compact car, a fact that boosts its sporty handling dynamics, while still maintaining truly generous cabin space.

Its transaxle architecture, with mid-front-mounted engine and all major components located within the wheelbase, makes for perfect weight distribution with a slight bias to the rear as per Ferrari tradition (47% front, 53% rear). Furthermore, the fact that the engine is now located lower in the chassis (-40 mm compared to the previous California) has improved the centre of gravity, enhancing handling still further.

Both chassis and bodyshell are made entirely from aluminium. This is a lightweight solution with high torsional rigidity, a particularly important factor for a drop-top car, making for better performance and safety. 12 aluminium alloys, all developed by Ferrari at the Scaglietti hub of excellence in Modena, along with particularly sophisticated aerospace-derived construction techniques were required to achieve this impressive end result.

BRAKES-
The California T's Brembo carbon-ceramic braking system features a new pad material that delivers a higher coefficient of friction which remains constant in all conditions of use. It is also less prone to wear so that both pad and disc will last more or less for the car's entire life.

The system is integrated with an evolved version of ABS ESP 8.0 Premium, resulting in extremely short stopping distances (100 to 0 km/h in just 34 metres).

TRANSMISSION-
The new high-performance V8 turbo, combined with the torque curve's Variable Boost Management, has led to an optimised transmission to marry superior performance with improved fuel efficiency. The F1 dual-clutch transmission now features longer ratios - on average by 14.8 per cent, but with an increase of 23 per cent in 7th gear. The longer gearing delivers:

4.3 per cent faster longitudinal acceleration;
reduced fuel consumption in normal use (a typical client mix of extra-urban, motorway driving): -15 per cent, which translates into a greater maximum range.

WHEELS-
New 19" alloy wheels with characteristic starburst design. Optional 20" forged wheels will also be available with the additional advantage of further weight-saving.