Review: Ferrari F149 California (2009-14)

Overview

Released in June 2009, the Ferrari California was a two-seat convertible with a power-operated, retractable hard-top roof. Manufactured in Maranello, Italy, the rear-wheel drive California was powered by a 4.3-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engine that was mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission which could be operated by steering wheel gearshift paddles. The California could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and had a top speed of 310 km/h.

The California had an aluminium chassis and was 4563 mm long, 1902 mm wide, 1308 mm tall and had a 2670 mm long wheelbase. With its roof in position, the California had a coefficient of drag of 0.32 Cd. In Australia, the California was strictly available as a two-seater with a rear bench (which could accommodate two roller suitcases or golf bags). Furthermore, the power-operated hard-top roof could open or close in fourteen (14) seconds.

The California had double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

2012: Ferrari California update

An updated version of the California was available in Australia from late 2012 which was more powerful due new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping; dry weight was also reduced by 30 kg to 1600 kg. As a result, the 2012 California could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

The updated California was also available with a ‘Handling Speciale’ package which included Delphi Magnaride magnetorheological dampers, stiffer springs, a faster steering ratio and a more responsive ECU.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the California included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control (‘F1-Trac’), front seatbelt pretensioners and an automatically deploying pop-up roll bar.

The California had 390 mm by 34 mm front carbon-ceramic brake discs with six-piston calipers and 360 mm by 32 mm rear carbon-ceramic discs with four-piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the California included 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 ZR19 front and 285/40 ZR19 rear tyres, a sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (iPod/USB) and hard-drive, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, satellite navigation with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, bi-xenon headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a folding rear backrest, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel and immobiliser.

From 2011, the California was available with an optional HELE (‘High Emotion Low Emissions’) option pack which combined an idle stop system with a demand-sensitive fuel pump, air conditioning compressor and engine fans to minimise fuel consumption.

Review: Ferrari F149 California T (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in June 2014, the California T was powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. Visually, the Califronia T could be identified by its reshaped flanks (said to be inspired by the 250 Testa Rossa’s pontoon-fender styling), extended front wing line and triple-fence rear diffuser for improved aerodynamics.

The 3855 cm3 V8 90-degree engine had an aluminium alloy cylinder block and head, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), direct fuel-injection (operating at 200 bar), twin-scroll IHI turbines (one per cylinder bank), air-to-air intercoolers, four valves per cylinder, high-tumble cylinder heads with four cam phasers (two per cylinder head) for variable intake and exhaust valve timing, and a compression ratio of 9.4:1. As a result, the California T could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and had a top speed of 316 km/h.

Other mechanical changes for the California T included a new steering box and revised suspension which included new springs and Magnaride dampers which responded 50 per cent faster than previously.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the California T was largely unchanged, although the ‘F1-Trac’ traction control system was updated. The California T was also fitted with ‘new generation’ Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake discs.

Features

Inside, the California T featured a new infotainment system with a 6.5-inch high resolution touch screen and a Turbo Performance Engineer (TPE) touch-screen display – positioned between the two dashboard air vents – which provided information about engine performance.

Related links

• Ferrari: Ferrari California
• Wikipedia.org: Ferrari California

Recalls: Ferrari F149 California

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Ferrari F149 California

Ferrari F149 California: crankshaft could fail

In May 2012, a single Ferrari California was recalled due to a machining fault which could cause the crankshaft to fail – this could cause vibrations and subsequent engine failure. As part of the recall, the crankshaft was to be replaced (PRA 2012/13138).

Ferrari F149 California: driver’s airbag may deploy abnormally

In September 2015, a recall was issued for Ferrari California T vehicles since the driver’s airbag may deploy abnormally due to a possible non-conformity in its production process. If the airbag did not deploy correctly, there was an increased risk of injury to the driver during a collision (PRA 2015/14919).

Ferrari F149 California: Takata airbag recall

In June 2016, a recall was issued for Ferrari California vehicles that had serial numbers (i.e. the last six digits of the VIN) in the range 161035 to 186046. The propellant wafers in the front passenger airbag of these vehicles were susceptible to moisture intrusion. In the event of a collision which triggered deployment of the front passenger airbag, the airbag may fail to deploy or the airbag inflator housing may rupture and cause metal fragments to be dispersed throughout the cabin; both outcomes increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants (PRA 2016/15430).

2013 model year Ferrari California: Takata airbag recall

In August 2018, a recall was issued for 2013 model year Ferrari California vehicles. These vehicles had Takata airbags in which the propellant wafers could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision which triggered the airbags, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal airbag inflator housing to rupture such that metallic fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion and into the cabin. These fragments posed a serious risk of injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16953.

2014 model year Ferrari California and 2015 model year Ferrari California T: Takata airbag recall

In October 2018, recall campaign RC60 was issued for 2014 model year Ferrari California and 2015 model year Ferrari California T vehicles. These vehicles had Takata airbags and, over time, propellant wafers inside the airbag could absorb moisture. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure inside the metal airbag inflator housing could cause it to explode or rupture, such that metal fragments may be projected through the airbag and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury or fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17097.

2016-17 model year Ferrari California T: Takata airbag recall

In May 2019, recall campaign RC60 was issued for 2016-17 model year Ferrari California T vehicles. The Takata front airbags in these vehicles contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive internal pressure could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture, projecting metal fragments through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments had the potential to cause serious injury and fatality. To fix, the airbags were to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17521.

2016-18 model year Ferrari California T: airbag and seatbelt pretensioner ECU

In August 2019, recall campaign RC70 was issued for 2016-18 model year Ferrari California T vehicles. These vehicles may have a ‘non-conformity’ of the TRW Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners that could lead to power supply failure. If this occurred, the airbags and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners may activate or deactivate – this increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the airbag warning light on the instrument panel would illuminate. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17756.

Problems and faults: Ferrari F149 California

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Problems and faults: Ferrari F149 California

No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Ferrari F149 California.

Released in June 2009, the Ferrari California was a two-seat convertible with a power-operated, retractable hard-top roof. Manufactured in Maranello, Italy, the rear-wheel drive California was powered by a 4.3-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engine that was mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission which could be operated by steering wheel gearshift paddles. The California could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and had a top speed of 310 km/h… Read full Ferrari F149 California review

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Images: Ferrari F149 California T (2014-17)

Released in Australia in June 2014, the Ferrari California T was powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. Visually, the Califronia T could be identified by its reshaped flanks (said to be inspired by the 250 Testa Rossa’s pontoon-fender styling), extended front wing line and triple-fence rear diffuser for improved aerodynamics. Other mechanical changes for the California T included a new steering box and revised suspension which included new springs and Magnaride dampers which responded 50 per cent faster than previously.

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Autocar: Ferrari California test drive

Note

Please note these videos are applicable to vehicles as they are supplied to their respective markets. As such, the features, prices and performance of the vehicles in these videos may differ from those which are supplied in Australia.

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