Performance Review: Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari California Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Ferrari California has a 4297cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The California shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the California's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1735 kgs (3825 lbs) this makes the Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari California shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 4297cc 32V V8 engine produces 483 bhp (360 kW) @ 7750 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 372 lb-ft (504.3 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari California you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Mercedes GT AMG S Roadster 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (302.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari California.

The Ferrari California has a Power to weight ratio of 278.3 bhp per ton and 214.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 California competing with the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG S Roadster 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (302.9 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG S 4Matic (302.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari California generating around 214.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (239.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 V10 Spyder (239.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the California and the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8L Roadster

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari California on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.74 secs @ 107.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8L Roadster (12.68 secs), the 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 (12.68 secs), and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (12.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 has a maximum speed of 193mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 California equals the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 then how about the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph), the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (204 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (204 mph).

Related Links:

2012 California Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison