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The Ferrari California is the latest and hottest addition to the fresh generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and joins the Prancing Horse’s 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by both power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminum, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the mid-front position; a Ferrari first.

 Although sporting quite an ordinary design, the Ferrari California seems to be a step forward for the company. For the first time, a Ferrari is fitted with a folding metal hardtop, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission you won’t even notice shifting gears, and a multi-link rear suspension. Independent testing of the car is still months away but it has a good chance to become a GT, which is both comfortable and fun to drive.

Set to be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in September, the car features an aluminum body, carbon-ceramic brakes and the F1-Trac traction system outsourced from the gorgeous Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the convertible to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in fewer than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car’s performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions. The comfort is additionally enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

The obvious stuff evident on these first pictures is a new steering wheel, dials, seats and entertainment system. Less apparent at first glance is the four-seat layout of the California. Look closely (at the first pic and you can see two headrests built into the rear bulkhead. These mean you can configure your California with four seats (we won’t yet pass judgment on whether it can really seat four) or move the seats and have a bigger boot. Ferrari calls it an ‘original 2+ concept’.

Ferrari has promised it will release more information about the California before the Paris motor show, but until then that’s all from me Faizan on carscene.org.