Geneva motor show 2012: Ferrari California

Ferrari has built a lighter, more powerful version of the California, unveiled at the Geneva motor show.

New exhaust manifolds and engine mapping have helped Maranello to increase the potency of the California's 4.3-litre V8 to 483bhp, an increase of 30bhp. The torque curve has also been modified and is higher across the engine’s rev range, with maximum torque of 372lb ft coming at 5000rpm.

See images of the revised Ferrari California

New aluminium fabrication techniques and construction technologies used in the manufacture of the California’s chassis have led to an overall reduction of 30kg in the car’s weight. Ferrari says the car’s structural rigidity has not been affected by the weight savings.

The car’s 0-62mph time is now 3.8sec, about one-tenth of a second faster than the previous version.

Ferrari has also produced an optional ‘Handling Speciale’ package of modifications for the California. It will feature significant upgrades to steering, dampers and springs in the mould of the HGTE package offered on the 599.

The HS pack moves the easy-driving California — which is expanding sales to customers mostly new to Ferrari — into more focused territory closer to Ferrari’s traditional appeal, and has been produced in response to customer demand.

Reprogrammed control software for the California’s magnetorheological dampers and lower-friction seals in the dampers allows the suspension to respond up to 50 per cent faster to bumps.

Ferrari has also tweaked the California’s steering rack to be 10 per cent quicker and beefed up the springs by 15 per cent to improve body control. Together, they should provide a more focused driving experience.

The California also gets new colour options included two-tone finishes and three-layer paint technology, enabling new levels of personalisation.

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