Updated Ferrari California coming

Ferrari will showcase an updated version of its California droptop at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The revised California is now lighter and more powerful. The engine- a 4.3-litre V8 now churns out 483bhp, up by 30bhp thanks to new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping. 

Ferrari has built a lighter, more powerful version of the California, and will show off the revised grand tourer at next month’s Geneva motor show. The torque curve has also been modified and is higher across the engine’s rev range, with maximum torque of 51.43kgm at 5000rpm.

The updated car is lighter too as a result of new aluminium fabrication techniques and construction technologies being used in the manufacturing process of the chassis. According to Ferrari, the Califronia’s structural rigidity, is not affected by the weight reduction.

The car’s 0-100kph time is now 3.8sec, about one-tenth of a second faster than the previous version.

Ferrari has also produced an optional ‘Handling Speciale’ package of modifications for the California. It will feature significant upgrades to steering, dampers and springs in the mould of the HGTE package offered on the 599.

The HS pack will move the easy-driving California — which is expanding sales to customers mostly new to Ferrari — into more focused territory closer to Ferrari’s traditional appeal, and has been produced in response to customer demand.

Reprogrammed control software for the California’s magnetorheological dampers and lower-friction seals in the dampers will allow the suspension to respond up to 50 per cent faster to bumps.

Ferrari has also tweaked the California’s steering rack to be 10 per cent quicker and beefed up the springs by 15 per cent to improve body control. Together, they should provide a more focused driving experience.

The California will also get new colour options included two-tone finishes and three-layer paint technology, enabling new levels of personalisation.