Rated 6th out of 8 exotic cars by the Auto Press, the Ferrari California was built to impress. Introduced to the public at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, it is a two door hard top convertible with a 4.3 Litre direct injection V8 engine. The car is named after the company’s 250 GT Spyder California that they debuted at Geneva in 1960 which became a synonym to the words freedom and exclusivity. The modern day California seeks to bring back that feeling of escaping that many people day dream about while hunched over their computers in their cubicles.

This performance vehicle was built to be driven. Maxing out at a top speed of 310 km/h, this car can go from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds. According to Ferrari, it is the most aerodynamic car they have ever made, spending over 1000 hours in a wind tunnel to get the drag coefficient down to 0.32. This modern classic car comes with a series of firsts that the company hopes will make it a favourite among the driving elite. The Ferrari California is the first car to have a front engine V8, a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, a folding metal roof, a multilink rear suspension, and direct fuel injection. Although, originally intended to be a Maserati brand car, the sheer expense involved in producing the car required the Ferrari nameplate to justify its final price tag of $192,000 USD.

Test drivers of the new Ferrari California found the car to be roomier than expected. All the interior control panels and gauges are beautifully sculpted out of high quality aluminium and leather to create that luxurious feeling of privilege that Ferraris are known for. The push button Engine Start button sends the California roaring to life. The driver can switch between automatic mode for every day driving and manual mode for when you want to challenge the open road. Several magazines report that the car offers a smooth ride with effortless gear changes that respond to your every whim. Produced to compete directly with the Maserati GranCabrio, the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, the Aston Martin DB9, and the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet, this California is definitely for the person who cherishes performance over style.

The car is available in 27 exterior colours and about a dozen interior trims. This ensures that the driver gets a Ferrari California as unique as they are. The company has plans to manufacture about 5000 cars the first two years of production but according to some auto magazines, the model is already sold out until 2012. Some, however, feel the car is worth the wait. This two door, four-seater is the perfect car to drive on those days when you want to impress someone or you want to throw your tie on the ground and drive your cares away. With 450 hp at your fingertips, you could probably make it to the next state before anyone even notices that you are late getting back from your lunch hour.