The world première of the new Ferrari California takes place this evening in the build-up to its official unveiling at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile on October 2nd; the première will be held in Maranello and Los Angeles.

The world première of the new Ferrari California takes place this evening in the build-up to its official unveiling at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile on October 2nd next.

The California's world première will take place contemporaneously in Maranello and Los Angeles while Ferrari enthusiasts will for the first time in the Prancing Horse's history be able to watch the event live on the convertible model's dedicated www.ferraricalifornia.com microsite from 22.00 Italian time.

More than 1,000 special guests from all over the world will watch the presentation of the new car inside the new production line building at Maranello which was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2008.

In addition to President Luca di Montezemolo, the event in Italy will also be attended by the Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa. Michael Schumacher will also be on hand, having been involved since the very earliest stages in the development of the Ferrari California, a hugely innovative car sporting a new front-mid 8-cylinder engine and a retractable folding hard top.

The Ferrari California will also be presented later today at Santa Monica Private Airport, just outside Los Angeles, as part of the dual global unveiling, during a ceremony that will be attended by a further 1,000 invited guests from all over the American continent.