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California Dreamin': More Info on Ferrari's New Hardtop Convertible

Don't think of Ferrari's latest sports car, the California, as the brand's entry-level model,

14 seconds and you've gone from coupe to convertible. (Photo: Ferrari)

but rather it's a new twist on something the prancing horse has done for decades. Besides getting with the times in terms of technology (it features direct injection, a folding hardtop roof and a twin clutch gearbox), it's also the car to kick off Ferrari's green movement.

For those who wondered what the California looks like with its folding hardtop roof up, here's your chance. Where most folding hardtop convertibles look a little funny due to the proportions of the overhang compared to the rest of the body, the roof actually looks natural here. In addition, these photos clearly show that the California isn't a two-seat roadster, but a 2+2 convertible.

You generally don't think of a Ferrari as "green", but a distinct effort has been put forth to make this one more environmentally friendly. (Photo: Ferrari)

The roof spans the cabin with two pieces, and, when it comes to folding hardtops, it's actually one of the quicker ones on the market. It takes 14 seconds to raise or lower its roof, which is significantly less than the 30 or so seconds it takes something like a Pontiac G6 or VW Eos. And yet there's still quite a bit of cargo space available when the roof is down - 9.2 cubic feet to be exact, 3.2 cu ft more than a Volvo C70. Put the roof back up, and in Coupe form the California holds an impressive 12.7 cu ft (0.1 cu ft shy of the Volvo), which is more than most Ferraris are capable of.

Thanks to its new “flat crank” 4.3-liter engine, the California nets an average of 21 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving, while emitting 499 g/mi of carbon dioxide. That might not sound terribly environmentally friendly, but it's a major step forward for Ferrari, and is amongst the best in its class.

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