2008 Ferrari California 4.3 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Ferrari California Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2008 Ferrari California 4.3 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out around 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.

This particular Ferrari California has a 4287cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Ferrari Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The California shares its Petrol V 8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the California's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1735 kgs (3825 lbs) places the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Toyota GR GT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2024 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari California shares the same bhp with the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 4287cc 32 valve, V 8 engine produces around 453 bhp (337 kW) @ 7750 rpm which is comparable to the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp) and also the 2024 Mercedes CLE Class CLE 53 4MATIC+ (443 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 358 lb-ft (485.3 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Toyota Supra GR Lightweight EVO (368 lb-ft) or the 2024 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2008 Ferrari California in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2012 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 (285.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari California.

The Ferrari California has a power to weight ratio of 261.0 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2008 California 4.3 V8 means you're competing with the 2012 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 (285.7 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2009 Cadillac CTS -V 6.2 V8 Auto (285.7 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Ferrari California 4.3 V8 generates around 206.3 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2020 BYD Han High Performance (231.3 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (231.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Ferrari California 4.3 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 3.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 4.0 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 include the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Premium (3.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2023 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Automatic (3.90 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) and the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 and the BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2008 Ferrari California can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.96 secs with a trap speed around 105.1 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64 (12.97 seconds @ 105.0 mph) and a close race between the Audi A3 RS3 Sportback 2.5 Turbo (12.97 seconds @ 105.0 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2008 version of the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 has a maximum speed of 193mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 California equals the Bentley Continental V8 S (192 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2008 Ferrari California 4.3 V8 then there's the slightly slower the Bentley Continental V8 S (192 mph) or how about the impressive Nissan Skyline GT-R R35 (192 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2008 California Rivals List.
• 2008 California: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Ferrari
• Compare the 2008 Ferrari California