Posts Tagged ‘Davio’s Atlanta’

The 2016 Ferrari California T is the Art of Speed

Last week at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show, Ferrari announced a new performance handling upgrade for the California T called the Handling Speciale package. It combines several key updates that gives the California T better track handling and a throatier sound.

I had the pleasure of a joyride in the 2016 Ferrari California T on March 3. I was excited to see what lurked under this bad boy’s hood: a turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 featuring a host of power-adding, fuel-sipping technologies like direct injection and Ferrari’s Variable Boost Management. Producing a potent 560 horsepower and 557 pound-feet of torque, the California T hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds.

While all Ferrari California Ts boast the same slick seven-speed dual clutch gearbox; however, the Handling Speciale package offers quicker up- and downshifts, both in automatic and manual modes. Because the “HS” treatment also includes a new quad-exhaust system, it is tuned to produce a fuller, more pronounced note at high revs.

At a base price of $205,000, the 2016 California T is quite a deal.

2016 Ferrari California T.

2016 Ferrari California T.

The new multi-function steering wheel looks like it was ripped out of a Formula1 car. The center infotainment system is angled vertically, as are the bank of HVAC controls. Below that is a reworked center console with buttons for reverse, automatic mode, and launch control. The huge paddle shifters shine brightly behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The new multi-function steering wheel looks like it was ripped out of a Formula1 car. The center infotainment system is angled vertically, as are the bank of HVAC controls. Below that is a reworked center console with buttons for reverse, automatic mode, and launch control. The huge paddle shifters shine brightly behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel.

The sleekly-styled dash.

The sleekly-styled dash.

Of course I drove the Ferrari California T in Sport mode ...

Of course I drove the Ferrari California T in Sport mode …

Passenger room is good up front, but the plus-two rear seats are best reserved for extra gear.

Passenger room is good up front, but the plus-two rear seats are best reserved for extra gear.

The new quad-exhaust system is tuned to produce a fuller, more pronounced note at high revs.

The new quad-exhaust system is tuned to produce a fuller, more pronounced note at high revs.

I must say, I loved the way the Ferrari California T handled.

I must say, I loved the way the Ferrari California T handled.

The 2016 Ferrari California T looks great from all angles.

The 2016 Ferrari California T looks great from all angles.

The end of my joyride.

The end of my joyride.

Thank you Davio’s for hosting the Ferrari Art of Speed event!