The California T is Ferrari’s return to forced induction. The last turbo Ferrari was the beastly F40, but the T is far tamer. It’s the softest in the Ferrari range, designed for daily ease and use—it even has a cupholder. Powered by a 552-hp, 3.9-liter V-8 mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, the T is plenty quick and agile, though not as rewarding as a 458. The folding top tucks into the top half of the trunk, and while technically the T is a 2+2, the rear is better suited for luggage.
Test driver Fabrizio Toschi says the car will turn a one-minute-28-second lap at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, but that “it doesn’t matter in this kind of car.” Lightly weighted steering barely loads up in corners. Nonetheless, the standard carbon-ceramic brakes are built for track duty, with plenty of feedback and pedal feel.
Will Ferrari turbocharge all its future models for incremental gains in efficiency? Probably not. But we’ll be sure to check back in five years.
Read More: Car and Driver
