The Ferrari California is making its official North American debut at the Los Angeles show after a series of special previews and its world debut at the Paris Show in October, where it received a hugely enthusiastic reception.

The first V8 in the history of Ferrari road-cars to be mid-front mounted, the Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car. Its philosophy takes its inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past, the 1957 250 California, a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has, over the years, come to symbolise not only superior sportiness and performance but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication.

This new car joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder range which is made up of very high performance models. The Ferrari California, a car with the track in its DNA, is enormously innovative and it will be able to offer even to our most discerning clients breathtaking driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel, as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort. It is available exclusively as a convertible with retractable folding hard top in either a two-seater version with a traditional rear bench or in the 2+ version which sees the rear bench equipped with seating for one to two passengers.

In line with Ferrari tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features. In addition to its retractable hard top and the aforementioned original 2+ concept, the new Prancing Horse car also offers: a new direct injection V8 engine, a 7-speed gearbox with steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles coupled with a new dual clutch, a new suspension system (double wishbones at the front and multilink at the rear), the new evolved F1-Trac traction control system and Brembo brakes with CCM (carbon ceramic material) discs as standard (this latter feature is shared by the other models in the current range).

FERRARI PRODUCTS AND PERSONALIZATION PROGRAMS

Also featured at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year are the F430 Spider, 599 GTB Fiorano, 430 Scuderia and the new 2008 612 Scaglietti One to One, as presented in Geneva last March.

The 612 Scaglietti One to One incorporates a series of technical evolutions that reflect the Ferrari philosophy of constantly introducing innovations in each model. Most notably, the V12 flagship now boasts an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. It is made from electrochromic glass which can be changed at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. In addition to its electrochromic roof, the 612 Scaglietti also sports the aptly named SuperFast gearbox which delivers an exceptional gear-shifting time of 100 milliseconds and a reduced inertia clutch to enhance the engine's responsiveness still further. The iconic Ferrari manettino, now featured on the entire range, has also been added to the steering wheel.

Since the past spring, with the introduction of the One to One Personalization Program Ferrari allows every client to fully personalise the 612 Scaglietti. A special dedicated "atelier" area has been set up at the factory in which clients can put together their own bespoke 612 Scaglietti accessory by accessory, detail by detail. Owners can choose details and materials they want for their car in consultation with the Ferrari experts who will actually build it to their exact specifications and tastes. Similar ateliers will be opened in key dealerships worldwide, the first one in the US being in preparation in New York City.

Thanks to the success the program has enjoyed over the last few months, Ferrari has just extended the One To One Personalization Program to the most powerful 12 cylinder in its current range, the 599 GTB Fiorano. Not only will the clients have a vast range of special content to choose from but they will also be assisted by specially trained Ferrari consultants. Dedicated Ferrari staff will be on hand to work with clients at each step of the way. Naturally, all of the various personalization options on offer will ensure that the intrinsic character of the car is unchanged and will not in any way impinge upon the car's active or passive safety systems.

Ferrari has also just announced the most recent addition to its line of V8's, the Scuderia Spider 16M, a drop-top version of the 430 Scuderia. Around the Fiorano track, the new Spider is faster than any other Prancing Horse open-top road car yet built. This truly evocative special series model, of which just 499 unique examples will be produced, is aimed at the most passionate clients, drivers who demand both exclusivity and superb driving pleasure.

From a technical point of view, this car has a dry weight of 1340 Kg (80 kg lighter than the F430 Spider). This, combined with the 510 hp provided by its V8 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6 kg/hp, means that it delivers blistering 0-100 kph acceleration in just 3.7 seconds and a superb top speed of 315 kph.

FERRARI NORTH AMERICA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

North America is the most important market for Ferrari, accounting for almost 30% of the marque's worldwide sales. California is the first market for Ferrari North America, accounting for almost 30% of its sales. Four official Ferrari Dealerships are present in Southern California alone: San Diego, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Sherman Oaks.

Ferrari North America has established an exclusive relationship with its loyal clients and enthusiasts, further enhanced by the wide range of services which have been introduced over recent years: the Ferrari Classiche division, which safeguards the future of historic and vintage Ferraris; the Corse Clienti (Client Racing) division, which organises track activities and its single- series championships; the Ferrari Driving Experience in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec; the One to One Personalisation Programme; the Ferrari Owners' Clubs plus the Ferrari Owners' Site with its own array of exclusive services. Ferrari North America, Inc. is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and is the exclusive authorized North, Central and South American importer of Ferrari vehicles.