Ferrari California Driving Experiences

First showcased at the Paris Motor Show in 2008, the Ferrari California went into production that same year, which continued on into a second generation of models until it was succeeded by their Portofino model in 2018. It is the original 2008 model we have available to book for driving experience days across the UK here at DrivingExperience.

Resurrecting the California name which some of their iconic models of the 50s and 60s were christened as, the California is a two door, hard top convertible GT sports car, based on a front mid-mounted, rear wheel drive, with a wheelbase of 105.1 inches, offering impeccable handling and steering out on the track.

The power of this smaller but nonetheless mighty supercar in the Ferrari fleet is courtesy of its thrumming 4.3 litre V8 engine, which powers out 453 bhp. It can cruise impressively from 0 - 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and 0 - 100 mph in 8.6 seconds, and is capable of top speeds of 193 mph.

The Ferrari California has, like much of their fleet, been immortalised in diecast toy model form. Amongst the many brands who have replicated it to 1:18 and 1:43 scale are Bburago and Hot Wheels, in both its hardtop and convertible states.

It was this model that was also notably featured on an episode of the BBC motoring show Top Gear in November 2009, where Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond raced the California along with a Aston Martin DBS Volante and Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder in a cross country spirit through Romania.