Ferrari California In India

Perfect for a dark desert highway, with cool wind in your hair.

Ferrari, the world’s ultimate supercar maker, is officially coming to India. Currently available through Delhi facilitator The Magus Group, in an arrangement with the Ferrari dealer in Singapore, India may get its own dealerships by early 2009. Ferrari isrumoured to be coming to India to retail its cars with Tata Motors as part of the existing Tata-Fiat alliance. Ferrari, which is still part-owned by Fiat, is looking to leverage this alliance when it enters the country.

Ferrari had been looking at the Indian market for quite some time but burgeoning global demand for its cars had resulted in a shortfall in production capacity. However the carmaker, which has only recently increased the number of its cars sold to 5,400 this year, is very keen to expand to new markets. This strategy allows it to maintain exclusivity in its traditional markets and still increase the number of cars sold. Ferrari’s new venture in the Chinese market is going very well, and India has been identified as a growth area for the future as well.

Speaking during the unveiling of the Fiorano or F599 GTB in China, president Luca di Montezemolo confirmed that the Asian region is of prime importance for Ferrari. “It is where the exceptional interest in Ferraris has led to the creation of a structure dedicated to the Asian region. It is an area, that I do not hesitate to say, is crucial for Ferrari. Where growth expectations are very high and in which we have focused our finest recourses and people.”

Ferrari’s range of cars for the Indian market should include the V8-powered F430 as well as a couple of the company’s 12-cylinder cars as well. These include the awesome new 620bhp 599 GTB, which is at present ‘the fastest 12-cylinder car in the world’. There has been a lot of talk about Ferrari re-introducing its baby or the Dino. Also known as the 246, this car used a six-cylinder motor, similar to the Grand Prix motors of the time, and was not badged a Ferrari either, but it eventually led to cars like the 308 GTB, 348, F355, F360 and today’s F430. Ferrari’s baby is rumoured to be ready, but it is not clear if it will actually make the car.

Some modifications will have to be made for our roads, especially concerning ground clearance and fuel filters. The trident brand, Maserati, was another Italian racing and supercar giant, one that often competed against Ferrari in the past. The brand was acquired by Fiat and then became part of Ferrari. It’s now back with Fiat, but will be sold alongside the Italian carmaker in India.

Several Maseratis have already been sold here, including the four-seater Quattroporte,and there is great potential for the very attractive coupes or GTs as well. The coupes — 4200 GT and GranSport — are also powered by 385 and 395bhp versions of the motor that powers the F430, and since it will retail for around the price of a Porsche 911, it will attract many customers here. Truly one of the great modern GT cars, the Quattroporte’s stunning looks, sportcar-like handling and grip will also attract Indian buyers.

Ferrari is the only carmaker in the world which makes cars so that it has money to race. We think a lot of Indians would love the opportunity to support the Scuderia or the racing team. Keep watching this space.

IT’S A “classic” Ferrari with a gas direct-injection .3-liter V-8 up front and a convertible-only body. The new Ferrari California makes its debut in October at the Paris auto show and then goes on sale at a price rumored to be north of the mid-engine F430’s base $210,000. The Net has been calling this “the new Dino”for more than a year now, despite denials from Ferrari brass all the way up to Fiat Auto’s Luca di Montezemolo. This is what it is: a less-expensive, more relaxed grand tourer that complements Ferrari’s 612 5caglietti, which is a car you’d feel comfortable driving around town even if you’ve never driven anything more serious than a Toyota Camry.

You’ll recognize the 4.3-liter engine size as that of the Maserati GranTurismo. Word is the California will share a lot with the Maser, including some large underbody stampings you can’t see without taking the car apart. Counter to Ferrari brass protestations, we hear the car did start out as a Dino project, but the Italian F1 team that happens to build road cars, too, simply couldn’t find a six-cylinder engine within the Fiat/Alfa Romeo/Lancia stable adequate for the brand. Whatever. From what Ferrari has leaked out so far, the California looks to be another winner, and it’s the sort of car Lamborghini doesn’t have..

STATS

• LAYOUT Front mid-engine, rear-drive two-door convertible only, with a “2+” configuration that includes a small rear seat or finished parcel shelf
• ENGINE 4.3-liter, gas direct-injection V-8, with “flat” crankshaft, makes 454 horsepower
• TRANSMISSION Seven-speed dual-clutch manual
• PERFORMANCE 0-62 mph in less than four seconds
• CHASSIS New multilink rear suspension, Fl-Trac traction control from 599 GTB Fiorano
• BODY Aluminum, like the chassis
• BRAKES Brembo carbon-ceramic discs