Sydney Motor Show 2008 Ferrari is claiming that the California was the star of this year's Sydney Motor Show and, with quite a few car makers missing this year, we're inclined to agree.
The baby blue car that's on display at the Sydney show is fresh off the boat from its namesake state where it was displayed to potential buyers — read rap moguls, Hollywood stars and spoilt kids from wealthy families. Oh and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The car is due to go on sale in Australia in mid-2009, but pricing and specifications have yet to be announced.
Despite re-using a name from a classic Ferrari model, the modern day California boasts a number of firsts for the company. It is the first car from the company to feature a folding metal roof. So, at the touch of a button, the California transforms from a coupe to convertible in 14 seconds. It also debuts Ferrari's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, although a manual is also available. The selector for the former is housed within a lovely billet of metal along the car's central tunnel.
With its 4.3-litre direct injection V8, the California claims the mantle as Ferrari's cleanest and most fuel efficient model — 305.6 grams of CO2 per kilometre and 13.1L/100km respectively — from the F430 Scuderia. We're not sure, however, how much of a selling point its relative green credentials are, as hard driving should blow these figures out of the water.