2018 Ferrari California T Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Since 2008, the Ferrari California and turbocharged California T have been a sales success, but during the summer of 2018, Ferrari is introducing a replacement hardtop convertible four-seater model called the Portofino for 2019. The facelifted version of the California, called the California T, was introduced in 2015. Since it’s an outgoing model that has been recently introduced, the California T goes into 2018 with no changes to speak of, continuing as both the entry-level Ferrari and the most suitable as a daily driver.
Under the hood is a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V-8. Since the F40, Ferrari had shied away from turbochargers, but more recent Ferrari models have followed the wider trends of forced induction. The California T makes 553 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque, driving through a 7-speed paddle-shifted transaxle. Fuel economy isn’t impressive at 16 mpg city, 23 highway, and 19 combined, but it’s not a big consideration when the car in question costs $200,000.
The California T is more cruiser and GT than track day warrior, but it would be unfair to call this car soft. Indeed, it comes packed with the kind of performance technology that we’ve all come to expect from Ferrari, including magnetic dampers as well as adjustable ride control and carbon-ceramic brakes. Compared to the original California, the California T has generally tighter steering and better balance since its engine is mounted lower in the chassis. Along with the extra power and cleaned up looks, it’s a clear cut above the car it replaced.
As a hardtop convertible, the California T gives the best of both worlds – open-air motoring when you want it and a tight and quiet closed cockpit when you don’t. The roof opens and closes quite quickly in just 14 seconds. The cockpit itself features Ferrari hallmarks like the manettino selector and prominent paddle shifters, and it also has touchscreen stereo controls as well as a USB port. Navigation and even cupholders are also standard. Two rear seats are a welcome feature from a carmaker that mostly only caters only for two, but there isn’t much room back there for full-sized adults. Similarly, the trunk is adequate for the basics but not at all cavernous. As one might expect from a car at this price point, special colors and trims for the interior allow for a greater degree of personalization than more humble automobiles.
The usual agencies don’t crash test the California T - or any Ferraris, for that matter - and the car doesn’t come with the usual bundles of active safety features. Ferrari saves the high tech for the bits that make the car go fast. For those who only want the latest and the best, however, it may be worth waiting a few more months for the Portofino.
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2018 Ferrari California T Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Becker · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.4 · Front brake width: 1.34 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brake width: 1.26 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Headliner trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: illuminated passenger
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.44 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: with wind blocker
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: Recaro · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse