Ferrari recently reiterated its assertion that it will not build an SUV. Considering the huge pots of cash on offer to those who do, that’s a big statement to make. However, it feels good to know that, while the likes of Bentley, Porsche and even Lamborghini have embraced the hyper-SUV with open arms, Ferrari will stay true to its core values.
That means more of the scintillating 488 GTB, the deeply glamorous GTC4 Lusso, the wildly exciting F12 and the pure madness of LaFerrari. Oh, and the California T.
The entry-level Ferrari isn’t quite coursing with the excitement and purity of purpose of the rest of the range. However, it brings a huge number of new people to the brand, and eases them in with impressive performance, a dash of Prancing Horse magic and a high degree of usability. Almost one in three new Ferraris sold is a California T.
The new Handling Speciale package for the T is aimed at those who want to retain that combination of usability and performance, but also seek a little more excitement and agility. Engineers have stiffened the chassis, with fresh springs and revised magnetic dampers, while there’s a new exhaust, too. The paddleshift gearbox is now 30 per cent faster on upshifts and 40 per cent quicker for the downshifts, while the stability control programmes have been specifically tailored to this more dynamic platform. The package costs £5,568, and you notice the changes immediately.
There’s a deep, bassy engine note that sounds purposeful, while the gearshift is much more responsive. The ride is a shade more aggressive, but the refined control and agility are worth the sacrifice. It’s usable in town, but comes to life on the open road.
The stand-out feature of this car remains the engine. That 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 offers astounding precision without a hint of lag. Nobody else has made turbocharging so seamless. It’s fast, too – the T can hit 196mph, and reach 62mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds.
However, while the engine remains the star, the chassis now plays a better supporting role. It’s more responsive, the steering is more in tune and the car feels better balanced in every way. It’s still not as sharp as a 488, but the Handling Speciale feels more like a proper, glorious Ferrari.
- Model: Ferrari California T Handling Speciale
- Price: £160,798
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power/torque: 553bhp/755Nm
- Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, rear-wheel drive
- 0-62mph/Top speed: 3.8s/196mph
- Economy/CO2: 26.9mpg/250g/km (est)
- On sale : Now