Ferrari California - Engineering
Use the links below for quick access to the sections:
Aerodynamics
Engine
Transmission
Suspension
Brakes, Discs & Tyres
Hard Top
Electronic controls
Car configurations
AERODYNAMICS
The aerodynamic development was carried out in close conjunction with the car styling, with the aim of matching performance and fuel economy targets.
To reach consumption targets, an important role was played by the car drag, reduced by 10% vs.
other Ferrari models. This has achieved the highest reduction of Cx (Cd) (0.32 top-up, Ferrari’s best) while obtaining the desired downforce.
Many aerodynamic features of the Ferrari California, must be pointed out:
- The stepped shape of the rear diffuser, enabling a drag reduction
- The wing built into the front bumper, which maintains front downforce and cooling efficiency with lower drag
- The position and dimension of the air scoop on the bonnet ensures effective cooling of engine compartment components.
GDI –DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE
Direct injection guarantees improved engine performance because of the cooling effect of the injected fuel inside the cylinder and the fact that the fuel is injected directly into the chamber rather than passing through the intake valves.
The high injection pressure (200 bar compared to current systems with160 bar) guarantees correct pulverisation of the petrol as well as optimum mixing and combustion at up to 8000 rpm. This in turn boosts performance and reduces fuel consumption whilst ensuring that current emission limits are respected.
Direct fuel injection also delivers a compression ratio of 12.2:1. This is higher than that of Ferrari engines with indirect fuel injection. Once again the result is improved performance and reduced fuel consumption.
Like other Ferrari engines, this one also boasts variable timing on both inlet and exhaust cams to optimise performance and reduce fuel consumption right across the entire rev range.
Its inlet and exhaust tracts were designed to deliver a high efflux coefficient and a high turbulence index. This guarantees a good mix and efficient combustion without impinging on performance.
The exhaust system consists of two metal matrix catalysers (one per cylinder bank), one central pre-silencer and two rear silencers. The aim was to reduce back pressure whilst still respecting current noise limits. There are by-pass valves on the rear silencers and these are electro-hydraulically commanded by the engine control unit.
The adoption of a secondary air system in the cylinder heads means that only one catalyser per bank is necessary which keeps back-pressure down yet ensures compliance with the very strict Euro5 and LEV2 emissions standards.
TRANSMISSION
- New 7-speed plus reverse dual clutch transaxle with F1 shift paddles, specified to combine the driving fun of a sequential transmission with comfort of an automatic
- Transaxle architecture, with front engine and rear axle transmission, to achieve outstanding weight distribution (47% front / 53% rear) and to reduce powertrain vibration
- Electrohydraulic actuation
- Triple-cone synchromesh on all gears, enabling a sequential’s typical sportiness
- The system features two wet clutches, one for even-numbered and the other for odd-numbered gears, with the main shaft split in two parts
- While one part of the mainshaft is driving first gear, the other part has already engaged second gear
- Shifting happens as an overlap of disengagement and engagement of both clutches. This produces practically zero shift times (sportiness), no torque interruption (performance) and the shifting action is like an automatic (comfort)
- The transmission control panel is located on the tunnel bridge and it includes reverse, automatic mode and the launch control buttons
- Also available as a 6-speed plus reverse manual
SUSPENSION
- The new front suspension features double wishbones, a hollow anti-roll bar to reduce vehicle roll and increase driving comfort
- New Multilink rear suspensions. The multilink configuration allows the longitudinal compliance of the suspension to be increased (greater comfort) while maintaining lateral stiffness levels equal to those of traditional Ferrari layouts (same handling)
- Multilink suspensions dampen obstacles, reduce noise and vibration levels and ensures excellent lateral stiffness and comfort
- Gas pressure, aluminium body shock absorbers
- Magnetorheological shock absorbers available as an option, like those of the 599 GTB Fiorano
BRAKES, DISCS & TYRES
- Carbon ceramic front rotors, 390 mm x 34 mm, 6-piston aluminium calipers
- Carbon ceramic rear rotors, 360 mm x 32 mm, 4-piston aluminium calipers
- Standard, light alloy wheel rims, 19" front and 19" rear, 5 spokes, diamond polishing process
- Tyres: front 245/40 ZR19", rear 285/40 ZR19"
- Optional forged wheel rims 19" front and 19" rear, (-11 kg vs. standard), with 5 spokes, star design, diamond polishing process
- Tyres: front 245/40 ZR19", rear 285/40 ZR19"
- Optional wheel rims, 20" at the front and 20" at the back, 5 spokes, diamond polishing process
- Tyres: front 245/35 ZR20", rear 285/35 ZR20"
- Available tyre brands: Pirelli, Bridgestone and Michelin.
- 19" Run Flat (Bridgestone) and 20" Run Flat (Goodyear) tyres are also available.
RETRACTABLE HARD TOP
The retractable hard top has unique features in terms of movement, cycle times, stacking configuration and materials used. The system operates the cover and the top simultaneously, completing the opening/closing cycle in 14 seconds vs. the usual 20 seconds.
Top stack optimisation is achieved by overlapping the hollow sides and the luggage compartment is large even in the top-down configuration (240 litres, useful capacity for two large roller suitcases - 60x40x30 cm)
The use of aluminium panels and a cast aluminium load bearing structure has allowed considerable weight optimisation and low moving masses compared to the other systems.
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
- Stability and Traction control (CST) with F1-Trac traction control logic.
The main feature of the F1-Trac system compared to standard traction control is the capacity and the precision of its road surface recognition which enables you to fullly exploit the car's performance. The advantages of the F1-Trac system are: power while exiting curves, improved stability and driving simplicity in extreme conditions, the possibility of getting close to the car's limit, and improved driving comfort.
- Tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system (TPTMS)
- Ejectable roll-bars, located behind the rear seat backs. The system is hidden by the seat back trim. Deployment time of less than 190 ms.
- Electrically-operated parking brake (EPB): it can be applied and released using a control on the dashboard.
- Differential release of shoes/pads on car starting (AVH function), ensuring improved immediate release dynamics.
Automatic activation when the engine is turned off (AUTOHOLD function), with the option of inhibiting automatic activation by means of the AUTOPARK button built into the EPB control.
Launch Control: the new performance launch device. It is designed to extract the best possible acceleration from the car. The device allows the torque required to prevent the wheels slipping during acceleration to be discharged to the ground.
Activation of the Launch Control is indicated on the instrument panel TFT screen.
The Launch Control is activated as follows:
- car at a standstill, both brake and throttle pedals pressed
- gearbox in manual mode
- select 1st gear
- deactivate the traction control by setting the manettino to CST off
- press the LAUNCH button on the central bridge control panel
- release the brake pedal
CAR CONFIGURATIONS
Based on the customer's request, the following two configurations are available:
1) Two-seater model with leather rear bench, with folding single piece back and leather luggage belts. Two trolleys or two light golf bags may be housed on the rear bench
2) 2+ version with rear bench equipped with two leather seats, isofix fittings and two safety belts
The two-seater may be equipped with two closed compartments, 50/50 split folding back
For both versions: folding rear seat back to accommodate long items such as tournament golf bags or skis
340 litre boot with hard top-up and 240 litre with hard top down.
NEXT : Ferrari California -Technical Specification