The Ferrari California and the California T, along with the Maserati Granturismo, were produced for roughly the same period. The Ferrari California and its subsequent updates were produced between 2008 and 2017. The Maserati Granturismo , on the other hand, was produced between 2007 and December 2019. Both can be seen in Quebec, with Ferrari California Montréal and Maserati Granturismo on display.
A fierce competition ensued.
It’s interesting to note that during the development of these two sports cars, the Granturismo set a record: it became the fastest-developed automobile in the automotive industry. Indeed, while Ferrari was developing the Maserati Granturismo, Ferrari sold Maserati to the Fiat Chrysler group. Ferrari decided to retain the designs for the future replacement of the Maserati Coupé and, after some modifications, launched the Ferrari California. In response, the Fiat Chrysler group had to launch the Maserati Granturismo as quickly as possible, and thus, the Granturismo went from design to production in just nine months .
In short, the Maserati Granturismo was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. The Ferrari California, meanwhile, was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show a year later, in 2008. The latter became the newest addition to its range of sports car models, featuring a front-mounted, eight-cylinder engine.
What’s hiding under the hood?
Both the Ferrari California and the Maserati Granturismo house the engine known as the Ferrari/Maserati F136. Despite having the same engine, the Ferrari California surpasses the Maserati Granturismo’s performance by almost a full second. Indeed, the Ferrari California boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4 seconds, while the Maserati Granturismo achieves the same acceleration in an average of 4.9 seconds across its various models. Furthermore, the Maserati offers a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission; the Ferrari California, on the other hand, has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The Ferrari California was the first sports car to feature stop/start technology and offer a high/low emissions option. This last feature, it must be said, was not universally popular among Ferrari enthusiasts . It’s the option that allows the engine to shut off when the car is stopped for an extended period and restart when the accelerator is pressed. Nevertheless, although unpopular with its Tifosi , this option has surely helped more than one to gain access to government credits, depending on the jurisdiction, substantial for the purchase of the vehicle.
Ferrari California: The Recall
Finally, it’s important to know that the Ferrari California was subject to a recall in May 2012. Approximately 200 vehicles were recalled, from the California and 458 Italia model ranges. This recall concerned incorrectly machined crankshafts, which could cause the engine to seize and lead to an accident. Ferrari offered its customers two options: a complete engine replacement with the work performed by Ferrari North America, or simply having the defective parts replaced directly at the dealership. All that’s
All that’s left is for you to try it out.
Ultimately, the decision between the Ferrari California and the Maserati Granturismo comes down to the experience and emotion you’ll feel during your respective test drives. So don’t hesitate to contact your Ferrari California or Maserati Granturismo dealer in Montreal to schedule an appointment and choose the car that’s right for you.
