For many the California T (T stands for Turbo) will be their very first taste of Ferrari. Maybe the first ever Ferrari constituting a relatively mild introduction to the brand, it is a car targeted at those who want a truly usable Ferrari. It is driver friendly, practical, even reasonably economical, yet in performance terms, remains a true Ferrari. It is also the ‘cheapest’ new Ferrari you can buy, proving an additional incentive to those keen to boast that Ferrari badge. The California, initially devoid of turbo but since acquired to achieve emissions, performance and efficiency goals (along with styling revisions to make the car visually more enticing), has proved successful in attracting approximately 50% new conversions to the brand. Consider that a long-term commitment as new converts to Ferrari rarely go elsewhere after sampling ‘the Ferrari experience’.
Handling Edge
Maybe what the current California T lacks is that slightly more hard core handling and performance edge that excites the really keen driver. You see, the user friendly understated driving dynamics of the standard California T work fine. However, every once in a while, either on your own or with an enthusiastic passenger, you may want to drive the Ferrari simply for the adrenalin rush of hard core purist driving.
The Ferrari California T Handling Speciale is the solution. For a modest premium of £5,568 (which, let’s face it will hardly matter) you will have a pathway to Ferrari excitement that is the total solution to the enthusiastic California buyer. It is still the same California T we know but Ferrari has tweaked suspension, engine and gearbox to create significantly better handling and grip. Here’s how it was done: springs are stiffened by 16% at the front and 19% to the rear along with revised damping. The engine has been made ultimately more responsive courtesy of a seven-speed transmission which is a mighty 30% quicker on upshifts and 40% quicker going down the gears. Much else remains unchanged; the steering for example is exactly as it is in the standard ‘T’, the new quicker rack introduced into the California T proving quite good enough as far as Ferrari are concerned.
The other big change is a new deeper sounding exhaust system giving the car a more pronounced ‘bassy’ sound yet without any performance advantage. External cosmetic changes are minimal. A ‘grigio ferro’ matt grille, a rear diffuser with black exhaust pipes, and a few giveaway interior badges are about it. And so to the road. Yes, there is no doubt, the Handling Speciale feels immediately more agile, better balanced, and grippier for high speed work. Most impressive is the neutrality and balance of the chassis under hard driving; there is naturally less lean and a much more talkative and balanced relationship between the front and rear end. As a result it gives you the confidence to go into bends significantly quicker making better use of the late braking advantage of the standard carbon ceramic brakes, yet it is predictable and safe.
The gear-change is instant now, although a little abrupt under very hard throttle from third to fourth. Whilst the steering is quick and responsive, personally I found it too light for full on commitment when set in ‘Sport’, promoting an edgier rather than the smooth turn-in feel that would be easier for the driver to achieve with a little more steering weight on turn -in. But make no mistake, those ceramics shed the speed off in an instant. It’s hard to leave this car without falling in love with it. In ‘comfort’ setting the ride is still all-purpose high quality, so the slight ride comfort sacrifice is outweighed by the significant performance advantages of the ‘Handling Speciale’.
As a result, the California T is now complete.
TECH SPEC IN BRIEF
Engine V8 3,855 cc twin turbo CO₂ 250g/km
Power 552bhp@7500 rpm
Torque 557lb @4750 rpm
Top speed 196 mph 0-62 mph in 3.6 secs
Weight 1729 kg
Basic Price £160,798
www.ferrari.com
