In 2008 people visiting the Paris motor show were wowed by a newcomer to the Ferrari stable. An old name had been brought back to life by Ferrari. The new car was called the California, after the gorgeous 250gt based California's of the 1950's.

The Ferrari California is a 2+2 grand tourer that also celebrates open top motoring as it incorporates a first on a Ferrari road car, an electric folding hard top.

It isn't the only first for this new Ferrari though. The Ferrari California is also the first front engined Ferrari to be driven by a V8. All previous front engined Ferraris have been V12s. It is also the first Ferrari to feature a 7 speed dual cluth gear shift. It doesn't stop there though. The Ferrari California is also the first ferrari to have direct petrol injection and it is also the first to incorporate multi link rear suspension.

The 460 hp 4.3 litre engine is good to propel the car from rest to 62 mph in a shade under 4 seconds and the California has a top speed of 193 mph. The California is 180 kg heavier and has 30 fewer horses under the bonnet when compared with the Ferrari F430, but it matches that car's performance figures due to the dual clutch gearbox which allows for faster, smoother gear changes.

Unbelievably for some, Ferrari have gone to extraordinary lengths with the aerodynamics of the California as well. With a drag co-efficient of only 0.32, it is the most aerodynamically efficient car Ferrari have ever made. With the roof up of course.