Ferrari California 30 4.3 Review: Life begins at 30

What we like:

Feels quicker than the old car

It’s a Ferrari

the V8 noise it makes

super quick gearbox

well executed interior

practical hardtop roof

styling grows on you

a very useable Ferrari

What we dislike:

Not as exciting to drive as a 458

steering a tad light at lower speeds

looks divide opinion

The stylish and sexy exterior is matched by an interior that is certainly worthy of a million dollar car. Most of the surfaces are lined with leather while all the controls and switchgear feel special and exquisite. The steering wheel features Ferrari’s familiar red engine start button as well as the manettino switch to toggle between normal, sport and CST (stability and traction control) off. The buttons for the horn are on the steering wheel spokes while a carbon fibre wheel with shift lights at the top is a cost option. A neat feature is the sculpted aluminium console between the front seats – it looks like it has been machined from a solid billet of aluminium.

The California’s cabin is a neat looking one that is functional as well – the ergonomics are spot on, the instruments including the TFT screen for ancillary gauges are easy to read at a glance while the highly adjustable driving position is near spot on and comfortable (no Gallardo style off set pedals idiosyncrasy here in the California).

The California can be ordered with a variety of seat options but why would anyone need to do so when the standard chairs look and feel so good is beyond me. Despite its petite looks, the California is actually a 2 + 2 so you can squeeze a couple of mates at the rear to share the Ferrari experience with them. But Ferrari will sell you a model with deleted rear bench seats if you decide to prefer to use the space behind the front seats to store two golf bags or a couple of suitcases. Nevertheless, the rear backrest folds down to allow the stowage of longer items. The boot capacity is also impressively generous: 340 litres with the top up and 240 with the top down. In fact, the trunk looks more spacious than even some four-seater coupe convertible’s.

Admittedly, the California 30 doesn’t feel as raw or is as fast as a 458 Italia, but in real world terms, the its performance and handling is definitely more exploitable, making it a Prancing Horse that is hugely useable and unintimidating while still having that special feel that only a Ferrari possesses.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai