Ferrari shows its first DCT
Announced a matter of weeks before Porsche unveiled its dual-clutch transmission 911 Carrera,
the new California sports roadster is the first Ferrari to feature a dual clutch transmission.
However, Porsche has beaten the Ferrari into the showrooms, the 911 having gone on sale in summer 2008. Ferrari DCT buyers will have to wait until early 2009 for their Californias.
Presented in the metal at October's Paris auto show, the Ferrari California marks a new generation of front engined sports cars from the legendary Italian stable: this fresh, contemporary approach places the emphasis not just on extreme performance but also on lightness and fuel efficiency, says the company.
For the first time in the history of this most exotic of all car marques, power delivery to the rear wheels is via a dual clutch transmission. Precise technical details have yet to be released, but Ferrari has disclosed that the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is mounted transaxle style, in-unit with the final drive to improve weight distribution. This is already a classic layout for front-engined Ferrari is: the innovation comes in the gearbox itself. The dual clutch transmission is able to improve the California's performance, as well as enhancing its driving pleasure and riding comfort, says Ferrari.
The efficiency gains brought in by the DCT help the California to an anticipated 305 grams per kilometer CO2 output – an impressive result considering the 460 horsepower (at 7500rpm) of the all-new 4.3 liter V8 engine. By comparison, the current mid-engined F430 – with a similar-sized V8 engine but fractionally more power – emits 420g/km.
The company claims that the California accelerates from rest to 100km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, though no maximum speed or curb weight figures have yet been given.
F1-Trac traction control, working in conjunction with the DCT and other electronic systems, has been further refined from the system originally presented on the 599 GTB Fiorano to reflect the driving characteristics of the new and significantly smaller California two-seater. The secret of the new car, says Ferrari, is direct injection for the engine, mounted in a mid-front position between the front axle and the passenger compartment. Lightweight aluminum is used extensively in the California's chassis and body.
The brakes are carbon ceramic, again saving weight and improving performance, and a new design of multi-link rear suspension is claimed to improve ride comfort.