Ferrari: Doth he protest too much?

"It's a Ferrari," declared Massimo Fumarola, Maranello's product development director. "Its DNA is Ferrari," he added. A few moments later, he said, "It's a 100% complete Ferrari."

I soon lost count of how many times he and other Ferrari execs assured us the Ferrari California, in its U.S. premiere at the L.A. show, was a...Ferrari.

The repeated reassurances that the car under the Cavallino Rampante badge was indeed a prancing horse was a sort of preemptive strike. Ferrari purists either are or are likely to be miffed by the car's placement of its V-8 engine in the front of the car, rather than its usual mid-engine configuration.

Maybe that's why the Ferrari big formaggio described the placement as "mid-front." Fumarola also noted the rearward gearbox ensured more than 50% of the car's weight was biased rearward (47/53 front to rear, to be precise).

It's also a hardtop convertible, which should be nifty to normal folks, but purists might think it adds weight and complexity. Fumarola pointed out that the all-aluminum top is lighter than a cloth top.

The California's curb weight is 3,817 pounds, almost 500 pounds more than a Ford Mustang GT California. But with 460 horses prancing under the hood (in front), Ferrari says the California will do zero to 60 in less than four seconds.

Ferrari North America CEO Maurizio Parlato said because Ferraris hold their value so well, a California can be "the best investment."

Let's hope so. With a price Parlato said is "about $200,000," the Ferrari California costs about as much as a house in Riverside. Those were said to be great investments too.

-- Peter Y. Hong

For more on the Ferrari California, watch Dan Neil's video.

Photo: A crowd gathers around the Ferrari California during its official North American debut at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show, open to the public starting Friday. The California will go 0-60 mph in less than four seconds and will be available in June 2009 for about $200,000. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Andrew Adler]

What's the big deal? The 599 Fiorano and the 612 have the engine in front of the driver! There's no question about them being Ferraris! Dan Neil road-tested the 599 a year or so ago. He had no doubts it's a Ferrari!

This not the first Ferrari with other than a V-12!

[Daniel K]

One the ugliest Ferrari produced in a while.....yikes.

[KnowYourCars]

Looks like a Lexus from the back. A $200k Lexus. That will hold its value. Yep.
Good analogy, those "can't miss" RE investments in Riverside.

[Timber]

Who cares about front or rear engine? The Daytona jumps to mind. Or even "a Ferrari has twelve cylinders".

If it's a modern-day Dino, all the better. IMHO the big problem is the price, which is at least twice what it should be.

[tony facade]

wow, this writer must drive an old Plymouth Horizon or something. he doesn't get it at all.

[Mark]

I bet the only "enthusiasts" to drive this thing are recent retirees and rich, ultra-spoiled daughters.

[356man]

Does it come with its own tow truck for when it breaks down?

[Mark]

Andrew, it is because the engine is a V-8. Ferrari has had several front-mounted V-12s in its history, but this is the first front-mounted V-8. I personally don't think it is a big deal, but I'm hardly a Ferrari purist (wish I could afford to be one).

[LEXUSRY]

it"s unattractive and overprice. don"t forget, Ferrari are cheap made, high maintenance,overprice vehicles. i have been fixing Ferrari for 22 years. nothing change in quality and maintenance repairs

[Big Jim Slade]

Wow, an Italian Pony car with LESS horsepower than a Mustang Shelby at four times the price. Seems like you could buy that house in Riverside with the $150k change.

Frank Zappa said it: The two universal constants are hydrogen and stupidity.

[Jeff Schrembs]

Ferrari...a well deserved "ICON" for products made in years past.
Currently, a well deserved "Emperors New Clothes" as they encourage you to disbelieve your eyes and instead listen to their consistent mantra of "its a Ferrari" - do you see it?
To those with "eyes" the answer is a resounding NO!
Don't believe the HYPE.
Nuff said.
NOSTRADAMUSLIVES by Jeff Schrembs

[JuanitoVerde]

Trick it out by Q and use it in another Bond movie.

[Henster]

Peter, Ferraris of yore had the engine in the front, not the middle. In fact, the mid-engine arrangement was thought by many to be a big departure from the norm: front engine, rear wheel drive.

This is perhaps the ugliest Ferrari yet, but fans of this marquee tend to be more brainwashed than followers of Scientology!