Ferrari California T

California at a glance

Why Ferrari built the California

Ferrari presented the California at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 as a fourth model range, next to the mid-engined V8, the V12 coupé and the four-seater. The aim was to bring new customers to the brand. The car had to work every day, carry two children in the back and open its roof at the touch of a button. The name recalls the 250 GT California Spyder of the late 1950s and the 365 California of 1966.

It brought a list of firsts for a Ferrari road car. It had the first V8 mounted at the front and the first seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It was also first with a folding metal roof, a multi-link rear axle and direct petrol injection. An optional HELE package (High Emotion, Low Emissions) added the first stop-start system at Ferrari. Pininfarina designed the body, and Carrozzeria Scaglietti engineered and built the aluminium chassis.

California, California 30 and California T: the three stages

The model went through two updates. The catalogue treats them as two generations: the naturally aspirated California and the turbocharged California T.

California 30 (2012). Announced on 15 February 2012 and shown at Geneva the next month, it gained 22 kW (30 PS) and lost 30 kg, hence the name. Torque rose to 505 Nm and 0–100 km/h fell to 3.8 s. At the same time Ferrari dropped the manual gearbox option; only three manual Californias were ever built. A new Handling Speciale package added magnetorheological dampers, stiffer springs and quicker steering, 2.3 turns from lock to lock instead of 2.5.

California T (2014). Revealed at Geneva in March 2014, it brought turbocharging back to a Ferrari road car for the first time since the F40; the T stands for turbo. The 3.9-litre V8 uses two small twin-scroll turbochargers and variable boost management, which Ferrari used to keep turbo lag low. Ferrari said emissions fell by 15 %. It was also the first Ferrari with Apple CarPlay. A California T Handling Speciale followed at Geneva in 2016.

Engines, gearbox and performance

The turbo engine changed the character of the car more than the numbers suggest. By our calculation, torque rose by about 50 % from the California 30 to the T, while peak power rose by 14 %. German data put the original car's consumption at 13.1 l/100 km and 306 g/km of CO2; the old version of this page quoted 10.5 l/100 km for the California T. The T reaches 200 km/h in about 11.2 s.

All versions drive the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted at the rear axle, with launch control. Weight distribution is 47 % front and 53 % rear.

Ferrari California T key specifications

Roof, cabin and everyday use

The two-piece aluminium roof folds into the boot in about 14 to 15 seconds. With it up, the car is a closed coupé; with it down, luggage space shrinks from 340 to 240 litres. Buyers could choose a 2+2 layout or a "2+" version with a luggage bench instead of rear seats. The rear seats are suitable only for children.

The cabin of early cars used an infotainment system that already felt dated during the car's life. The California T brought a new touchscreen and smartphone integration. Euro NCAP has not crash-tested this model, which is usual for low-volume sports cars.

How many were built

Ferrari built the car in its own assembly hall at Maranello. English sources give a total of 17,349 cars for 2008–2017; the yearly figures below add up to about that number.

In Germany, 1,495 cars were newly registered between 2009 and 2019, with the best year in 2010 (271 cars). In May 2012 Ferrari recalled about 200 California and 458 Italia cars worldwide.

Rivals and prices

Its rivals were luxury convertibles rather than Ferrari's own mid-engined cars. A European source lists list prices before options of about €180,000 for the California and about €205,000 for the California T.

You can set it against these cars in our car comparison tool, and our cost of ownership calculator helps estimate running costs for a car of this class. Among Ferraris, its closest relatives are the Portofino that replaced it and the Roma.

Common problems and which California to buy

Known weak points concern the dual-clutch gearbox of early cars, where neglected maintenance can lead to expensive repairs, and the cost of carbon-ceramic brakes on cars that have them. A full service history is the best protection.

• California (2008–2012): the most affordable way into the model, with the sound of a naturally aspirated V8 at up to 7,750 rpm. Check the gearbox history and the infotainment functions.
• California 30 (2012–2014): more power, less weight and the option of the Handling Speciale package; the sweet spot for a buyer who wants a non-turbo Ferrari V8.
• California T (2014–2017): much stronger mid-range, lower consumption and a better cabin; the best choice for touring and daily use.

Our verdict: buy a 30 if the engine sound comes first, and a California T if you will drive it often. Either way it suits a buyer who wants a Ferrari for long trips with the roof down. The company's history is in our history of Ferrari.