Ferrari California T Handling Speciale Impresses Where Original Did Not

Harry Metcalfe isn’t known for mincing words. If he likes the California T, it must be good.

When the California was initially launched nearly a decade ago, Ferrari was aiming to lure Mercedes SL buyers to the cult of the prancing horse. In the process, they somewhat gelded themselves with a car that wasn’t really up to Ferrari standards. That original car was hardly attractive, but worse than that it wasn’t really an inspiring driving experience. Luckily with the redesigned version that makes use of a smaller displacement V8 with a pair of turbochargers, the car is now worth the Ferrari name, especially when fitted with the Handling Speciale package. The car’s now got more power, it’s better at running the corners, and it actually looks quite attractive these days. Even with the fiddly extraneous lights on the rear deck lid.

If there is anyone that can give an appropriate review of the new California T, it might be Harry Metcalfe. He was around to test the old California (as well as just about every Ferrari for the last few decades), and can easily compare the new car to the one it replaces. While the video here is quite long, we reckon that’s because Harry just couldn’t stop heaping praise on the little horse.

If you’re in the market for a California T, Harry recommends putting your options money on the handling package and the sport steering wheel, and not much else. Don’t worry about the carbon fiber bits inside, or the titanium wheel nuts, nobody will notice and it won’t help resale on the back end. We would also suggest staying away from the two-tone paint job, as it just makes the car look far less attractive than it actually is. If you’re going to buy into flash, go all flash.

[Source: Harry’s Garage on YouTube]