The California is a "genuine" Ferrari, right? Being the first front-engined V8, first car with a folding roof, and first vehicle with a twin-clutch transmission, it undoubtedly propels the firm into uncharted territory. The all-things-to-all-people brief seems impossible, but thus far we have been pleasantly surprised. If we're being really honest, we were also a little astonished since we didn't think the California could be both a cozy, easy-going GT and a blatantly Ferrari. Two issues, however, have remained unresolved up until this point, notably whether the California can live up to its audacious-looking performance claims, including 0-62 mph in less than 4 seconds, and if its chassis set-up is compatible with UK roads. Here is where we learn.

We've drove some of our favorite lanes and A-roads, been to the Millbrook Proving Ground for straight-line performance evaluations, and used the Bedford Autodrome's West Circuit to record a lap time. Additionally, we placed both Californias on our corner scales. Both? It's a test of two halves, as it always is with Ferrari: the numbers obtained on an Italian vehicle serviced by Italian mechanics and the on-road impressions gained from the UK press vehicle, which has just completed its pre-delivery preparation. The California once more delivered a few surprises, most of them positive.