So, About That New Ferrari...

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 10/12/2013 at 11:30 • Filed to: Screwderia, Ferrari, California, FF, Targa, OppositeLock

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AutoCar seems to think the new Ferrari patent drawings are of a California, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that suggest it's based off the FF chassis. It's being called the SP30, with SP standing for Special Project, so we may just be speculating over a simple special order and not a completely new production model.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Here is the outline matched with a California:

And here is the outline matched with the FF:

The lines and proportions match up with the California more so than the FF, and therefore this must be either a special California, a new California variant (like the 458 Speciale to the 458), or even a completely new California replacement, which it happens to be due for. As for the grill, headlamps, and wing mirrors being the same as the FF, Ferrari is just updating their older cars (California) with the trinkets and design language of their current range (FF, F12, 458).

I will now propose my theory: the new Ferrari California could be a targa roof only, and no folding hard-top convertible. Ferrari could find this sort of roof a more feasible ethos to put into production.

The California has been accused of being a lesser Ferrari for those bald-headed, plump-gutted golfers who want to be associated with the brand; this brings the top tier of Ferrari owners down, and decreases their valuation of the Ferrari brand. How is your elitist Ferrari convertible any better than a peasant-class Mercedes SL?

Making the next California a targa roof could strengthen the chassis and reduce weight, making the car faster, more agile, and overall, a better car to drive fast and frivolously.

Here is my quick photoshop of the SP30 with the theoretical targa roof off.

[ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ]

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 11:39

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You know what would be interesting, if the the front part of the roof folded under the back section which would then drop down. It would make the back end less bulbous than the current one.

Mikeado > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 11:59

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If it really is called SP30, then it's a one-off. It could easily be based on a California, though.

Aaron Brown > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 12:06

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I think a special edition California would be cool. I know many people aren't huge fans of them, but I think they look properly good.

A California with a Targa top would be especially cool.

Kailand09 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 12:18

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Pretty interesting stuff.

But on topic of leaks... Man it's almost disappointing every company has leaks out there on their development projects. It almost takes the fun out of seeing unveils, especially with the corvette.

Even despite that, I still feed on the food that are these leaks. No idea why, but I still do haha.

scoob > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 12:31

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*Drool*

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 13:07

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ridered777 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 13:39

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Drawing changed slightly, for added realism.

/trolololololl

*nibbles strikes!*

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 13:43

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Oooh, I'd be interested in seeing a modern Superamerica :D

supercarr > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 13:59

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Better known as a Toyota Supra...

Dsscats > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 14:08

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It does seem to match up better with the California, but if it does happen to be the new FF, it'll look a damn sight better than the old one with that grillllllllll. And chances are, it will be a Superamerica style top. Hopefully glass. And tintable on cue like in a Merc SL.

SUBARU-BLOKE > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 14:17

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IMO, I think this is probably a california with the FF V12 drivetrain (probably not the 4wd system though). It makes a bit of sense as the last SP (eric clapton's one) was a V8 car but with a V12 to make it a little bit special. And it provides an excuse for using the FF design, as Ferrari wouldn't bother doing all the necessary chassis work to the FF when they have a perfectly good convertible platform.

ThatbastardKurtis > SUBARU-BLOKE 10/12/2013 at 14:30

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Eric Clapton's Ferari actually retains the V8, instead of a V12

http://jalopnik.com/5958462/this-i…

TheSmokingTire > SUBARU-BLOKE 10/12/2013 at 14:35

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Clapton's car is not a V12. it has the standard V8 from the 458 Italia. Only the bodywork is changed from stock.

SUBARU-BLOKE > TheSmokingTire 10/12/2013 at 14:43

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Sorry about that, the fact that it was called an SP12 and looks like a 512 kinda threw me off a bit. I bow down to your knowledge :)

Manuél Ferrari > ridered777 10/12/2013 at 14:47

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Except the fire is coming from the wrong end of the car if this new rumor is true. It would need to look something more like this:

Manuél Ferrari > Kailand09 10/12/2013 at 14:49

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At least this still feels like a leak. What's worse is when companies reveal the model years before it's ready to sell. Imagine how blown our minds would have been if the Porsche 918 Spyder wasn't revealed way before it was ready. How much crazier would the Ring time have been if we had only known a prototype existed for a few months...

Manuél Ferrari > Aaron Brown 10/12/2013 at 14:51

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I agree. I wouldn't even consider the current California. But a lighter and more rigid targa would be kind of interesting, especially in 5 years when the price of the used ones has dropped a ton.

TheSmokingTire > SUBARU-BLOKE 10/12/2013 at 14:53

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All good. When Ferrari does the special builds such as this one, there are many restrictions on what can and cannot be changed. Drivelines, for instance, can't be changed if the car is to remain road legal. Neither can the windshield, roofline or side windows. Depending on the destination country for the build, they have to build the car to meet that nation's crash standards, which means a lot of that kind of equipment can't be changed.

Kailand09 > Manuél Ferrari 10/12/2013 at 14:53

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That's true too. I don't like when they do that either.

I'm definitely going to remember for the next gen corvette to keep out of the loop. I enjoyed the surprise more when I didn't research so much about it with the c5 or the c6.

It's more fun that way.

Leadbull > TheSmokingTire 10/12/2013 at 15:01

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If Clapton actually got Ferrari to put a flat-12 in that thing, he'd be my personal hero.

dataPOG > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 15:01

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Does it toddler?

Will there be Hot Wheels versions for said toddler?

Manuél Ferrari > Kailand09 10/12/2013 at 15:02

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Good luck with that! It's so hard to not catch details these days. It's like watching a sports game you recorded on DVR and not finding out about the result before you finish watching it. The Dallas - Denver game was totally ruined for me last Sunday when I read a text message saying that Romo was intercepted. I was only watching it about 15 minutes delayed and forgot to not check texts...

Even if you don't do research your gearhead friends will say something. And it's so impossible not to click on an interesting Jalopnik link :)

Kailand09 > Manuél Ferrari 10/12/2013 at 15:21

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You're very right. I was thinking about that after I posted wondering how I would actually avoid it all, knowing everyone would say something to me about it all.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep on with the way things are haha.

Remarkably-Average-Avalon > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 15:54

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One thing about patent drawings is that only the features being patented need to be accurate. If the patent is for a new roof design, they can make the headlights and the rest of the styling look like anything and it won't matter.

Dave Pevsner > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 18:01

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the wheelbase is the only element that really strongly matches up with the california, the actual body lines look much more like the FF. either way, it looks like a cool car, but because it's a special project, it could very well be bespoke.

Jay_Hoff > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/12/2013 at 20:58

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Yea...
I called this on Thursday and posted this article on Friday. Thanks for being late to the conversation.

Grim99CV > Manuél Ferrari 10/13/2013 at 00:13

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Trunk is open, can't let them golf clubs burn with the car.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/13/2013 at 00:15

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Mmmm I like. IF this is replacing the Cali, I approve whole-heartedly.

Hifrequency > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/13/2013 at 01:37

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Try super imposing

the FF onto this

Hifrequency > ridered777 10/13/2013 at 01:37

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I keep seeing this.

123456 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/13/2013 at 05:30

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Your're mixing up here kiddo. If you're thinking this ks SP30 (reminder: I was the first to make that link, I also had the hat tip on the original article) it's a special limited edition or even one off car. SP has nothing to do with regular production cars. It's not the new California because it's dimensions are huge, just look at the sheer size of the cabin. And the rear and front are IDENTICAL to the FF. You really don't think they can do better? Jesus christ the new. California will look completely different. Ferrari are wonders at design. And anyway. It can't be a Cali because Pininfarina designed the FF and from now on Ferrari are designing it's cars in house.

Of course this isn't the new California, it's an FF special edition. Like the SA Aperta, P45 Scaglietti etc. etc.

ignorant articles like this one really provoke me. Do your homework.

123456 > SUBARU-BLOKE 10/13/2013 at 05:32

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The drivetrain is the same. The FF doesn't work in 2wd unless you want to chop the front wheels off. Remember the separate gearbox?

123456 > Jay_Hoff 10/13/2013 at 05:40

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Me too (I got the hat tip in the op)

How could you FP this Ballaban? It's under and misinformed. Purely speculative, mixing up facts. And way late. I'd actually go as far as call it a tad disrespectul towards people like Jay and myself who post new stuff early with good sourced information, and that get our facts straight.

123456 > Remarkably-Average-Avalon 10/13/2013 at 05:44

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But wouldn't a patent drawing cover only the specific element the patent is being applied for? I think of drawing like the ones in question like more centered towards design protection applications.

d3v > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/13/2013 at 08:39

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In any case, everyone knows that the real problem with the FF is that it there isn't a diesel option.

Remarkably-Average-Avalon > 123456 10/13/2013 at 10:35

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Depends on what it is. If it's something like a new roof mechanism, it will probably have to show a whole car at some point.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > 123456 10/13/2013 at 14:54

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I mentioned that at the beginning; homework was done.

This is just a speculative article about the implications of Ferrari changing the California to a targa roof, and how that would benefit the brand. It seemed a good moment to make this connection after the might of AutoCar suggested the same thing I was thinking.

SUBARU-BLOKE > 123456 10/13/2013 at 16:41

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Ah yes, the two speed. Now I feel like even more of an idiot!!! :)

Mr2LotusWannabe > scoob 10/13/2013 at 22:24

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Make sure there is no water in there when closing.....

Thestiggschicagocousin > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 10/13/2013 at 23:18

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I'm still hoping and praying for an FF coupe. When it is announced that it is a coupe, I will also be announcing my kidney is for sale, for the same price as the car.