2012 FERRARI F149 California 4.3L V8 7AT (490 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The 2012 update for the Ferrari California brought more enjoyment for the “Prancing Horse” fans. The Italian manufacturer kept the main characteristics of the original 2008 model and added some spice and luxury to the retractable-roof sports car.

Of course, every Ferrari enthusiast will ask for more power on their car. This is why Ferrari squeezed 30 more horsepower from the 4.3 liter-engine, reaching a whooping 490 HP and an increased torque from 485 Nm (357 lb-ft) to 505 Nm (371 lb-ft). The Ferrari engineers obtained these values with a newly design exhaust that retains the original sound of the vehicle. The facelift model also resolved the initial problem of the 4,3 liter-engine, which lead to a recall for 200 vehicles. The original engine had a problem with the crankshaft, which was machined incorrectly on some of the cars and led the engines to suddenly freeze.

A new Handling Speciale (HS) version was added to the California option list. This gave the clients a more dynamic driving experience. The option also added a silver color and ventilation blisters behind the front wheels. The suspension for the HS has magnetorheological dampers controlled by the ECU for a better response and more precise body control. Also, the HS has a different steering ratio, giving the car a 2.3 turns lock-to-lock instead of the standard 2.5 for the other versions.