Ferrari: Ferrari California

Ferrari launches online configurator for California

Ferrari has launched a dedicated website for its California convertible, with a number of interesting features to keep potential customers and the curious interested in the car. Organizing the website into three distinct categories of 'Hear', 'See' and 'Feel', the sections feature videos, pictures and, of course, information about the new baby Ferrari. One of the more distinct features of the site, however, is a 'configurator' that allows users of the website to configure their very own Ferrari California in a number of exterior colors, interior trims and wheels. The configurator allows users to see their virtual car with the top up or down, and test-drive a number of different color schemes to see which one suits them best.

Ferrari California live photos

Time Waster of the Day: Ferrari California configurator launches online

Imagine stepping out of your hotel to see a driveway packed with Ferraris splayed out in different colors for you to choose from and you'll begin to understand three things. First of all, what a peacock would look like if God had met Enzo Ferrari before Creation. Secondly, the stupid grin on our faces when we popped in for the California test drive in Sicily. And lastly, the vast array of choices available to Ferrari customers upon ordering their new supercar. Unfortunately that's not a sight oft beheld by the common man (unless you work at Maranello), so Ferrari has given us an online configurator to let us toy around with the different color, trim and wheel combinations available on its latest offering.

With 27 exterior colors, 12 different leather hues, three wheel options and five brake caliper choices, no fewer than 4860 distinct combos can be had. You'll likely find that the California looks best in dark colors. Fortunately, there is no shortage in the catalog, especially since Ferrari revived some of its long-lost classic hues. What you see above (Grigio Scuro over Bordeaux leather with the 20" diamond rims and dark red calipers) is this scribe's combination of choice. Or maybe Vinaccia over Beige, or Scozia blue over Cuoio...this could take a while. Of course actual customers, upon visiting one of Ferrari's customization ateliers, can select from far more options, but this online gizmo should be enough to have you burning through minutes like a Ferrari does miles.

[Source: Ferrari]

LA 2008: Ferrari California comes home

The Ferrari California delves into new territory for Ferrari, both in theme and design. Many faithful to the marque may be against its styling, but the true test will be sales numbers. As Porsche has proved over the last few years, the addition of successful new models can be a valuable asset to a company's finances, and we're all in favor of Ferrari's increased capability to improve the breed. The LA Auto Show is the first time we've seen the car in its namesake state, and we took the chance to give it another close inspection after our recent first encounter with the Ferrari California in Sicily. The style is definitely growing on us, and we dearly loved the car in Azzurro Blue. Still on the fence? Check out the gallery below and see if you can make up your mind.

Gallery: LA 2008: Ferrari California

Rendered Imagination: The Ferrari Zobin Concept

It can be argued that Ferrari is known for living out on the styling edge and for staying too true to its own designs. Witness the wild Enzo supercar and compare that to the new California. The former is an F1 car with an enclosed body and the latter has been called a sell-out Ferrari for the masses. As such, we're always interested in new takes on the Ferrari design ethos, and we particularly like this concept called the Zobin by Iranian engineer Siamak Ruhi Dehkordi. The rear end looks cribbed from the one-off P4/5 produced by Pininfarina, but the front end places the Enzo's F1-inspired nose amidst the contortions of a metal band that swoops around to create both the front spoiler and front fenders, while still maintaining an open-wheel F1 look. The headlights are suspended from the metal band and seem to float beside center fuselage. This is a single-seater concept that's powered by a fictional engine of unknown cylinder count and displacement located amidship, but we're more interested in the design itself that we think is both edgy and honors those Ferraris that have come before it.

Gallery: Ferrari Zobin Concept

[Source: CarBodyDesign via CarScoop]

Fioravanti-designed Ferrari SP1 first product of Portfolio coachbuilding program

You remember that mystery Ferrari prototype that was spied at Fiorano back in August? After initial speculation settled down, the prevailing wisdom suggested that the car in question was a one-off coachbuilt creation designed by former Pininfarina (and now independent) stylist Fioravanti for one wealthy customer. In the second issue of Ferrari's official magazine, the reports were confirmed. We're still trying to get a hold of those images for you, but in the meantime the report has hit the internet.

Called the SP1 (for Sport Prototype 1), the Fioravanti-designed special was built for prominent Ferrari collector and Japanese business executive Junichiro Hiramatsu and forms the first product of Maranello's new Portfolio program. The initiative gives the extremely wealthy the opportunity to collaborate with various Italian design houses (including Fioravanti, Pininfarina and Zagato) with full factory support to commission custom creations. The unique vehicles can be based on the Enzo, F430 or 612 (the 599 and new California remaining, for the time being, outside the program), and need to retain certain structural requirements and ultimately meet Ferrari's measure of taste, but beyond that, the sky's the limit. The sky, and your bank account, of course.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Inaugural Enderle Concours features Pininfarina designer, classics

Long known amongst car people around southern California for its fine dining, upscale boutiques and most importantly its twice-monthly collector car breakfast cruises, the Enderle Center in Tustin, California decided to do something a little different to celebrate its 30th Anniversary: host a Classic European Concours. For this inaugural event they even flew in Pininfarina designer Maurizio Corbi who answered questions and sketched dream cars for the crowd. When someone groaned after hearing Corbi was partly responsible for the new Ferrari California's form, he quickly pointed out he did the front, which brought relieved laughter. Local collector Dick Marconi brought several cars from his nearby Marconi Automotive Museum, which supports the Marconi Foundation for Kids. Several of Dick's artworks were also displayed in the center's Chemers Gallery, but the cars were really all the art we needed to see.

Classics from the '30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s, along with sportscars from the '70s, '80s, and '90s were arranged by country of origin and parked through the central parking lot alongside a pedestrian-friendly red carpet. Ferraris were featured and there was an incredible assortment on hand, everything from Cher's Daytona Spyder to an extremely rare 195S, one of two in existence. The F50 wasn't too bad either. Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Pegaso were also well-represented. It was a great first effort and a fun show, small and manageable with some breathtaking classics, all with great stories behind them.

When our camera started acting up we spotted our pals from Speed and Motion, who graciously agreed to let us use their images for our gallery. Click and enjoy, and be sure to check out the Speed and Motion site for a greater selection of photos and videos from this show, as well as dozens of HD clips from other local events.