Paris Show: Ferrari California HELE gets Stop- Start Tech, Emits 23% Less CO2

Visitors to the 2010 Paris Motor Show may have noticed a rather innocuous looking, black-topped Ferrari California on display at the automaker's stand. This is the Ferrari California HELE, which stands for High Emotion Low Emissions. Think of it as a Ferrari for the environmentally conscious.

Featuring a host of technological jiggery including intelligent fan and fuel pump control, adaptive gear shift and "electronically controlled variable displacement"...air conditioning, the California HELE is said to reduce CO₂ emissions by 23% over its non-HELE sibling.

That's 270 g / km down from 299 g /km. The California HELE also features a stop / start system that can restart the car's engine in an impressive sounding 230 milliseconds.

Ferrari is also introducing some new two-tone finishes - no doubt for the 599 GTO wannabes - and water-resistant leather for its California range. There's no word on pricing or launch dates, or in what markets the California HELE will be sold. No doubt buyers will pay a premium over the non-HELE base model.

By Tristan Hankins

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Anderson Germany Rolls Out 515HP-Tuned Ferrari California Edition

If the factory version of the Ferrari California isn't quite to your liking, then perhaps the tuning folks over at "Anderson Germany" can help you spruce up the Italian hardtop convertible. On the speed side, the California's 4.3-liter V8 gets a 55-horsepower jump from 460HP to 515HP thanks to a recalibrated ECU and new valve controlled stainless steel exhaust system, which can be set to three different sound modes via remote control.

The package also includes electronically adjustable dampers that can lower the ride height by 35 mm or raise it by 40 mm, and a new set of light-weight alloy wheels with the outer rim painted in the color of the car, shod in 255/30 R21 tires up front and 315/22 R22 tires at the rear.

On the outside, it's carbon fiber galore. Aside from the carbon film on the alloy wheel spokes, Anderson Germany offers a bodykit made up of a carbon fiber-finished front spoiler lip, side skirts, rear diffusor, rear mud guard, side air-vents and boot lid spoiler. A dark tint on the panes and rear lights round off the exterior upgrades.

As for the interior, among the many options offered by the tuner is a -you guessed it- carbon fiber trim package for the air vents, radio fascia, center console(s), door handles, rocker switches and steering wheel.

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Edo Competition Ferrari California: Quality Execution

Turning an already beautiful car into a spectacular showpiece is a challenge well handled by German tuners Edo Competition. They’ve let their creative juices flowing when they set out to re-invent Ferrari’s first hard-top convertible, the California. First, the tuners gave it new shoes that’s wider and lower. This gives the car a much sportier stance. The suspension is refitted with an adjustable system to suit the driver’s preference; a sporty and spirited ride or a more comfortable one. But the best bit of revamp for the car is the recalibration of the engine’s ECU wherein a total of 500hp and 369 ft-lb of torque has been squeezed out of the V8. The result is a faster and sleeker car with good looks that should turn heads more often than with a stock California. Edo says that you can basically add anything to your specs for the car and they’d be more than happy to fulfill your wishes.

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