Rumormill: Ferrari looking at turbo'd V6 to save fuel

Dino fans rejoice, the rumormill is churning out plenty of grist about a V6 power unit in the offing for some future Ferraris. The California is already getting a V8, so Prancing Horse fans wishing for a "Dino II" will remain unfulfilled, but new approaches to high performance are key to keeping Ferrari at the zenith of autodom, lest it fall down the nostalgia hole that's seen Jaguar nearly suffocate on its own pillowy upholstery. The case for a V6 would be partly the banal issues of emissions and consumption, and a six might also offer weight and packaging advantages, though the rumors of a turbocharged mill add plumbing, weight, and complexity back into the mix. Additionally, anyone who's ever given the boot to a turbocharged engine can attest that forced induction's ability to make small engines flex big muscles, it can also lead to big-league fuel swilling, poking holes in the idea that a turbo V6 might save a lot of fuel over the direct-injected V8. Like any automaker, Ferrari is certainly looking at all sorts of "what if" ideas that will never reach production to find the right solution for the myriad technical challenges facing any automaker, let alone an exotic manufacturer. One thing's certain: a turbo V6 with Ferrari emblazoned along the cam covers would shriek with a proper Italian accent, and you have to respect any company that violently spits on the ground when the terms "SUV" or "Four-Door" are whispered.

Ferrari California assembly underway at Maranello

Several months ahead of its scheduled debut at this fall's Paris auto salon, production of the new Ferrari California has already begun at the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The news comes after previous speculation suggested that the California might have to be assembled off-site – potentially at sister-company Maserati's nearby facility in Modena – because the existing Ferrari assembly lines were already at full capacity. However, having now unveiled its newly-retooled manufacturing facility under the Formula Uomo program, the company has apparently increased production capacity to accommodate the assembly of the California, thus securing its legitimacy in the eyes of enthusiasts and potential customers alike.

Ferrari California: new images hit the net

For the unveiling of its first front-engined V8 sportscar, Ferrari rolled out a dedicated launch site. But up until now, the site (as well as the company's media portal) only gave us a glimpse at a handful of studio shots. Germany's AutoBild, meanwhile, managed to obtain a handful of new shots of the California out in the open, inside and out and front to back. Natural sunlight seems to soften the sportscar's lines a fair deal... but don't take our word for it: Check out the images in the gallery below to see for yourself.

Updated news and photos of Ferrari California

Ferrari updated its teaser launch of its new California 2+ model today, May 29, with more photographs and a few more details.The latest photographs of the Pininfarina-styled retractable hard-top spider-coupe show it with its top closed in Azzurro California paint. That was the color of the 1960s spider's reveal at the New York autoshow in 1962. And blue was a favorite with owners of that model too.

The California debuts a seven-speed dual clutch, which Ferrari says cuts shifting time to zero. And the new Launch Control feature allows highperformance starts without tire spin.The car is 182.4 inches long, 76 inches wide and has a wheelbase of 108 inches.The designation of 2+ refers to space behind the front seats, which makes the California "supremely flexible in terms of usage," Ferrari says.

The 4.3-liter engine, with direct injection and a new flat crank, has about 452 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. A seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission can move the car from zero to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds, the company claims. The transmission also improves ride comfort, reduces fuel consumption and impr oves emissions. Also helping comfort is a new multilink rear suspension.

The F1-Trac traction control system, also used on the 599 GTB Fiorano, and carbon-ceramic Brembo disc brakes are standard equipment. The "two-plus" configuration is a new idea that Ferrari says will guarantee greater versatility in the rear of the car.