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Mike Sinclair18 Jun 2014
NEWS

$50,000 discount for new California T

Ferrari realises for-ex benefits for "every day" twin-turbo California

Ferrari has launched its latest model Down Under – with a price cut of almost $50,000.

The all-new California T was unveiled officially in Melbourne today (June 17), priced from $409,880 –a hefty $49,407 less than the superseded model.

Powered by an all-new twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8, the new convertible shares little visually with the car it replaces, save for the carry-over folding hardtop and matching its predecessor in overall length.

More aggressively styled, it promises higher performance and better dynamics thanks to significant changes under the skin.

The all-new engine is Ferrari's first turbo since the legendry F40. It packs an extra 74kW (412kW v 338) over the old Cali, over 60 per cent more torque (770Nm v 485) and is quicker in every measure.

In introducing the new car, local Ferrari Australasia boss Herbert Appleroth highlighted the model's sheer pace – at 11.2sec, the car's standing 0-200km/h time is a significant 2.1sec faster than its predecessor.

Thanks to the turbo engine's part-throttle characteristics and taller gearing in the updated seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox, the new California T is also more efficient. Combined fuel consumption has been reduced 15 per cent to 10.5L/100km.

Appleroth said the California T's substantial price reduction was largely the result of favourable foreign exchange. A similar price reduction was announced when the operation launched the Speciale racetrack-ready version of the mid-engined 458 in December 2013.

"We've been looking at the value offering for our models for the last four or five years," Appleroth told motoring.com.au at today's unveiling.

"Where there's a movement in foreign exchange [during the life of a model] we've been adding... higher standard specification than we would in any other markets... [But] where we have the chance to launch an all-new car, we will adjust [price] accordingly from that.

"The first [repricing] was the 458 Speciale – you would have seen a similar gap in the pricing [then]," he explained.

Last year, over 100 new Ferraris were registered here but the company retailed substantial more cars – many of which will not be delivered until 2014 or beyond. Appleroth says he expects most buyers of the new California T to have to wait around 12 months for their new car.

Despite supercar performance (0-100km/h takes just 3.6sec) and the option of bespoke colour and trim (15 million potential combinations, the company claims), the folding hardtop 2+2 has been dubbed the "every day Ferrari".

The new California T is comprehensively equipped. Although its rear seats are more suited to Dinklages than Depardieus, Ferrari does make much of the boot to cabin load-through. Just the thing for golf bats, skis and the like.

According to Appleroth, around 70 per cent of California buyers are new to Ferrari. Half again as many California owners use their cars daily (compared to other Ferrari models) and on average the 'entry-level' Ferrari logs around 30 per cent more mileage.

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