Performance Review: Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo - [2014]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari California Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2014. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2015 Koenigsegg Agera RS 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Ferrari California has a 3855cc Turbo 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, Cabriolet 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 1625 kgs (3582 lbs) this makes the Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari California shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 3855cc 32V V8 engine produces 552 bhp (411 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 557 lb-ft (755.1 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (561 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 2011 Ferrari FF 6.3L V12 (363.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari California.

The Ferrari California has a Power to weight ratio of 339.6 bhp per ton and 342.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2014 California competing with the 2011 Ferrari FF 6.3L V12 (363.1 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Wiesmann GT MF5 (362.3 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 342.7 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 2015 Ferrari F12 tdf 6.3 V12 (367.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (366.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.6 secs, this made the Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs) the or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs). This Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the and the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the California and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 650 4.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari California on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.83 secs @ 115.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 BMW 6 Series 650 4.4 V8 (11.78 secs), the 2007 Porsche Cayenne 4.8 Turbo (11.79 secs), and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Turbo (11.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2014 version of the Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 196mph.

Top Speed of the 2014 California equals the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2014 Ferrari California T 3.9 V8 Turbo then how about the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph), the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (207 mph), or the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (207 mph).

Related Links:

2014 California Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison