Ferrari California Hotter For 2012

2012 is shaping up to be one hell of a busy year for the boys and girls in Maranello, with such a smorgasbord of new Ferrari models muted to be on the way. There's the Challenge/Scuderia hardcore version of the 458 to come, a 700bhp 599 replacement, and even a possible first look at the Enzo successor. Now, reports are suggesting that the entry-level prancing horse will also be receiving some nip/tuck attention to keep it bang up to date.

The California, launched in 2008 as Ferrari's first folding hard top, and first front-engined V8, is likely to go on a diet and grow some more muscles for its 2012 update. Rather than being a racier add-on pack, like the HGTE option for the 599 and now-defunct 612, the fettled car will remain a one model range, with all cars benefitting from tweaked mechanicals, software, and infotainment.

Predictions leaked from dealer information to customers suggest the 4.3 litre motor's output will swell by 30bhp (when running on 98 octane fuel) up to 483bhp, thanks to revised mapping and internal components. No doubt the Cali' will benefit from the same engineering witchcraft employed in the FF and 458, releasing more power but decreasing emissions and consumption. Torque will also jump to a meaty 373 lb/ft.

The extra firepower under the vented bonnet will have less heft to lug around, with Ferrari apparently proud to claim that greater use of aluminium in the chassis has dropped the weight to 1705kg, a 30kg saving. Given the California is only 4 years old, and boasts the complications of a retractable metal roof, the seemingly incremental tweaks start to look far more impressive. All of this will no doubt make the baby Ferrari a sharper drive all round, twinned with a faster responding ECU.

This timely change could be a canny move by Ferrari. The initially controversial California has sold strongly throughout its recession-dogged life, with 80% of customers being new to the brand, and a substantial proportion of them being a previously minor segment of the supercar market: young women. Up against newcomers to the droptop exotica party, like the Aston Martin Virage Volante and Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, the faster, leaner California has just upped its game, looking to be a real contender, and worthy of supoorting the Ferrari family in an exciting 2012.

Prices will no doubt take a substantial hike from the current £146,960 base however. So for most of us, we'll have to stay California dreamin'.