Ferrari and Al Tayer Motors premiere the prancing horse's California

This much-anticipated coupe-cabriolet, which made its international debut at the Paris Motorshow, was unveiled to an exclusive gathering of Ferrari customers and media. Customers who had booked the car as soon as it was announced were excited to interact with the car that captured their imagination.

The Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its concept 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.

"The Ferrari California is a true breakthrough car and perfectly completes our range, also enabling us to strengthen the GT segment." said Edwin Fenech, General Manager Ferrari Middle East and Africa.

Ferrari proudly works together with Al Tayer Motors, one of the leading automobile dealerships in the UAE and official Ferrari dealer, through a longstanding relationship spanning 20 years. Through this partnership we anticipate further superior increases in sales and continued growth throughout the region.

"Since the news of its launch in May 2008, the California has generated a lot of interest and excitement among car enthusiasts around the world," said Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Board Member, Al Tayer Motors. "We are pleased to be the first Middle East market to present the latest model from Ferrari.

"The California boasts a number of firsts for the prancing horse marque - it is the first front-mounted V8 engine and retractable hard top model for Ferrari. It captures the best of the California spirit in a motorcar."

This new car joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder range which is made up mostly of very high performance models. It also flanks the 12-cylinder flagship 612 Scaglietti in the Grand Tourer category. The Ferrari California is a car with the track in its DNA. It is extremely innovative and will more than fulfil the expectations of even the most discerning clients, offering breathtaking driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort.

The California 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. 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).

The Ferrari California will be available through Al Tayer Motors's Sheikh Zayed Road facility in Dubai and through its subsidiary, Premier Motors in Umm El Nar, Abu Dhabi.