The votes from 59 international journalists have been counted and the finalists for World Car of the Year have been named. The Detroit News is reporting that the Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Polo and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class have made the final cut, and the three vehicles will go toe-to-toe on April 1st (no foolin’) at the start of the New York Auto Show, which is where the World COTY award is announced.

On the performance vehicle front, the Audi R8 V10, Porsche 911 GT3 and Ferrari California are jockeying for the big prize. We feel sorry for the judges who have to choose from among these three junkers, but we’re sure they’ll somehow make it fun for themselves.

Design finalists are the Citroen C3 Picasso, Kia Soul and Chevrolet Camaro, and from the green category we have the previously mentioned Prius, the Honda Insight and Volkswagen’s BlueMotion diesel offerings.

It’s been a little over a year since Ferrari released the California. It was Maranello’s first front-engined V8, bearing its first dual-clutch transmission, its first folding hard-top, and its first standard fitment of carbon-ceramic brakes. Unfortunately Ferrari found public reception to the convertible’s styling rather cold, and although we found it looked much better drenched in soft Sicilian sunlight than it does it photos, not everyone’s a fan.

Fortunately there’s an elite cadre of Ferrari tuners eager to spruce up Maranello’s finest - as well as their more controversial designs. Hamann’s one, and they’ve taken their shot at the California already. So has Edo Competition. Now it’s Novitec Rosso’s turn.

The Dutch tuning garage has just released a full array of modifications for the 2+ cabrio, starting with a revised ECU for a modest 40 horsepower bump to 500 even. A sport suspension drops the ride height by 35 millimeters, but it can be raised up front by as much as 40 mm to clear curbs and speed bumps. Outside, Novitec’s fitted a carbon fiber aero kit with front lip spoiler, side skirts, revised diffuser and a little rear wing, along with modular rims measuring 21 inches up front and 22 in the rear, shod with Pirelli rubber.

While opinions remain divided as to the sacriligiosity of tuning a Ferrari, in the California’s case it could be - to some eyes anyway - just what the doctor ordered.

Luca and the stuck California were at the Ferrari World Finals in Valencia, Spain. The Ferrari and Fiat Chairman was ferrying the Scuderia’s brand-new F1 driver Fernando Alonso (who is technically still under contract with Renault) and carryover driver Felipe Massa around the track, waving to the fans. Then - for who knows what reason - Montezemolo decides to not bother with pit lane and just make a ninety degree right hander into a gravel trap. A gravel trap, it should be pointed out, that’s used to catch and slow cars spinning out of control at triple digit speeds.

The result is the new Ferrari grand tourer getting stuck like whale. Montezemolo tries spinning the back tires a bit, which only digs them deeper, while Alonso and Massa attempt to push. Sooner than later, track workers show up and all three men escape to safety seated on the back of a blue California.

Hamann’s take on the Ferrari California sports a pretty heavily modified body, including a carbon fibre bonnet, redesigned front spoiler, aerodynamic side skirts and an integrated three-part rear diffuser. Lowered suspension also drops the car right down onto its bespoke lightweight forged alloys.

The Hamann website boasts that the considerable increase in downforce and stability and decrease in unsprung mass from all this gubbins allows them to give the Cali significantly more power - ‘up to 20 per cent’, according to the press release - but don’t ask them how they’ve done it because, so far, they haven’t. Apparently an ECU remap is ‘in preparation’, and a modified exhaust system is planned but yet to be designed. So this launch isn’t really that ‘launchy’ after all.

The whole thing bears more than a passing resemblance to the Mansory 599 GTB, with its black and white colour signature and bulging stance, but perhaps that’s just the fashion at the minute.

Hamann has mucked about with Ferraris before. It once offered a package for the 360 Spider, and in 2006 it had a go at an F430 Spider, with a package bizarrely titled the ‘Black Miracle’. Among the other weird creations that Hamann currently produces are an extensively revised Bentley Continental known as the ‘Imprerator’ (we had to read that twice), and the ‘Tycoon’, a car that manages to make the BMW X6 even odder.

Ferrari showcased three of its latest supercars in the Sunday Times Supercar Runs at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: the innovative Ferrari California, the remarkable 599 GTB Fiorano with HGTE package, and the limited edition Scuderia Spider 16M. To the appreciation of packed crowds which lined the hillclimb under gorgeous blue skies throughout the weekend, Ferrari fans were thrilled by the distinctive growl and bark of the V8 and V12 engines that make the Prancing Horse cars such a fan’s favourite at this event.

In a remarkable demonstration of driving finesse and incredible agility, the Scuderia Spider 16M completed the 1.16 mile hillclimb in an incredible time of 59 seconds.

Watch the video here!

The Ferrari 599, 612 and 430 have had offspring. The open two-seater, dubbed the California Spider, with its retractable aluminum hard top is the new entry level model among the sports car offerings from Maranello. Having been introduced to the world at the Paris Motor Show last October, the California Spider can now be admired on our roads, too.

For those who wish to further personalize the appearance and performance of this exceptional sports car, edo competition is now offering very special accessories.

Newly-developed wheel/tire sets in 20 and 21 inches are guaranteed to draw amazed looks from passers- by. The wheels are available in several attractive designs. Customers can also opt for a lowered ride height or the addition of a sport suspension system. The sport suspension is adjustable in both compression and rebound damping, allowing for a custom tailored ride for cruising, spirited driving, or competition.

To make sure the performance of a vehicle as special as the California is up to par in all aspects, edo competition also offers custom ECU recalibration. After reprogramming the production ECU, the 8-cylinder engine now generates 367 kW (500HP) and 369 ft-lb of torque at 5,200 rpm. In addition to the recalibrated electronics edo competition can install a newly-developed high performance exhaust system featuring adjustable butterfly valves and custom designed high flow catalytic converters with a 200 cell per square inch metal core.

This well-matched combination enables the engine to develop its new-found power in an impressive manner. The treatment also provides a torque increase that is particularly noticeable in everyday driving. As a result, the performance figures of the edo California Spider are improved as well: It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a phenomenal 3.9 seconds and the top speed is an impressive 315 km/h (196 mph).

As with all edo competition models, we set no limit to our customers’ imaginations. Special interiors or lavish leather upholstery, individual requests are accommodated and executed with quality.

The ceremony was attended by Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari Asia Pacific Region manager Marco Mattiacci, driver Kimi Räikkönen and several other members of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

Amedeo Felisa reminded those present of the importance to Ferrari of the APAC market which delivered record results in 2008 with over 1,000 cars sold. Ferrari is, in fact, market leader in its segment with a 46% market share. China, where Ferrari has been present since 2004 through its joint venture with China Poly Technology Co., is the Company’s second largest APAC market with 212 cars sold, double-figure annual growth and the 500-owner ceiling reached in 2008. The Chinese dealership network also spans 10 cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Nanjing.

The Company has focused particular attention on customer care in China resulting in the founding of the first Ferrari China Owners’ Club, a meeting and exchange platform for Ferrari clients, and the introduction of Pilota, the first Ferrari driving course to be staged in the country. A second driving course is already planned for Tokyo in Japan in the coming months. Other client services offered are: the Concierge Service, which allows clients communicate directly with Ferrari to enjoy a selection of exclusive services, and the Road Assistance Program, which provides fast, direct road-side assistance.

The Ferrari California has attracted huge interest in Asia. The car, which is the latest addition to our high performance 8-cylinder range, sets a new standard in terms of technological innovation and design. Thanks to its track-derived DNA and leading-edge innovation, the Ferrari California will more than fulfil the expectations of even our most discerning clients, offering exceptional driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort. The first Ferrari Californias were delivered in Europe in the early weeks of 2009 while deliveries to countries outside of Europe will commence in June.

Fifth gear test the Ferrari California Watch it in full screen for best experience

It’s been called the ‘baby’ Ferrari and even the new Dino. But the 193mph 2+2 convertible California is not even the cheapest model in the range – that title belongs to the £138,265 mid-engined F430. Nor is it an updated clone of the V6-engined Sixties two-seater Dino, which took Ferrari to a whole new market and drove it into the arms of saviour Fiat.

No, the new California is an old-fashioned, front-engined grand tourer in the best traditions of the Prancing Horse. With a 454bhp 4.3-litre V8 under the bonnet and a brand new seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, it’s a relaxed take on the frantic Ferrari theme. And as the order book is full for the first two years of production at least, Ferrari is confident it can weather the current financial storm better than rivals such as Bentley and Aston Martin.

On the badly made Sicilian roads of our test route, the sleek new car instantly betrays its boulevard cruising roots. With the chassis and gearbox set in Comfort mode, the ride is supple and comfortable. The engine note is muted and the gearbox allows you to drive gently without the clamour of the F430.
Ferrari reckons California buyers will be travelling further and with more passengers than those who choose the F430. It’s easy to drive, which should appeal to the female customers the firm is wooing.

Immaculate

The cabin is trimmed with the usual creamy leather hides, stitched immaculately. Headroom is plentiful, but those over six feet tall will find legroom tight.

At a touch of a button, the aluminium roof does its 14-second motorised pirouette, with both parts of the metal lid sliding on top of the boot space. With the roof down there’s 240 litres of space (360 litres when it’s up), and that’s easily enough for a couple of weekend bags. The no-cost option rear seats take more luggage, although they are barely big enough for the smallest infants, despite their Isofix fittings.

The all-new chassis features a flat undertray with venturi tunnels front and rear for greater downforce. Double wishbones make up the front suspension, while a new multilink system features at the back, and you notice the extra compliance over big bumps. The speed-related, power-assisted steering makes in-town manoeuvring and parking a breeze.

Not that the California is all show and no go. Turn the steering wheel Manettino switch to Sport and gearchanges are sharpened, the exhaust valves open more readily and the suspension raises its game. Suddenly, the car is ready for action, with outrageous pace and a soundtrack of yelps, barks and growls to rival the best TVR ever offered.

A lot of vibration transmits from the new direct fuel injection engine to the cabin, but low-speed torque is incredible, and without the traction control the tyres would cremate themselves.

Perhaps most impressive is the new transmission, which allows access to that performance without a micro-second’s delay. It makes the old robotised manual look very last century, and Ferrari says it will fit dual-clutch gearboxes to all its cars eventually.

The standard ceramic brakes are amazing, even if pedal feel isn’t quite as linear as an all-steel set-up. The steering is sharp and slightly over-assisted, and on A-roads you need to focus to maintain smooth progress. At high speeds, though, the California is rock-solid, inspires confidence and, with the rear air diffuser, the cabin remains amazingly draught-free.

Ferrari hasn’t wasted any time in introducing a new dedicated collection bearing the name of its all-new hardtop convertible. The so-called Ferrari California Collection includes caps, t-shirts and sweatshirts priced between $35 and $158 US as well as a handcrafted model replica available in two different colors with the top up or down that cost a hefty $340 US. Now we’re just waiting to see how fast the Chinese knockoffs will reach the market – that is if they haven’t already beaten Ferrari to it.