[Stig Wannabe]

Is it just me, or does the new California (which, apparently, is NOT the new "affordable" model) look like a Hyundai? Way too much surface styling that just seems to try too hard. I know it's a first impression and I hope it looks better in person, but . . . the details kinda remind me of the first generation Tiburon. Boo! Hiss!

What they did get right, though, is the name. According to early reports, this is not built for race tracks, but for dentists to cruise the boulevard. From the Top Gear site:

"Ferrari has aimed to make a car that's luxurious and useable every day, because it knows there are many thousands of newly ultra-rich around the world who don't see why a supercar should be grumpy, uncomfortable and difficult to drive through town.

To achieve that California has a lot of technologies new to Ferrari.

It's the first time they've made a front-engined V8. The first time they've done direct petrol injection. The first time they've done a folding metal hardtop. The first time they've had a dual-clutch transmission instead of the F1 system that jerks and stutters at low speed. The first time they've had multi-link rear suspension, to maintain handling but improve ride."

Well, at least it's still fast as stink and sounds great. Sounds weird to hear that it's the first front-mounted V8, but I guess that's true.