From a Pussy to a Prancing Horse

I ordered in spring 2016 a new Ferrari California T from a German retailer. I chose California T because I wanted to have 2+2 configuration and a cabriolet with hard roof. Soft roof is not really the way to go when it's snowing.

Soon I realised that I like the car a lot except three things:

- The car Feld a little bit soft

- The gear change was a little bit slow

- The car did not sound like a Ferrari

When the car was under production, Ferrari introduced the HS (Handling Speciale) package which was supposed to make the car much sportier. However, I could not change my order anymore.

This summer I went to a Ferrari store to check if they would have an alternative for California T. There was nothing where I could take the baby with her mother with me and drive the roof open. However, they told me that nowadays the HS package can be assembled also afterwards @ € 11,800.00. I started to check what this HS package is claimed to do:

- Modify the gear-shift logic for the Sport mode both in automatic and manual settings. This is resulting sportier gear engagement during both up- (30% faster) and down-shifts (40% faster).

- New damper settings and modified springs: 16% stiffer front springs and 19%stiffer ones at the rear.

- Revised F1-Track logic helping to ensure better acceleration.

- New exhaust system with silencers. The new sound is fuller, richer and 3 db louder.

All that sounded like a great idea and the Ferrari mechanics assured me that the car would feel totally different after the assembly of the HS-package. So I decided to go for that.

The assembly took 5 working days and a week ago I picked up my car. From the front it looked just the same:

From the back the pipes looked a bit different:

And to the arm rest in the middle appeared a small sign:

When I jumped into the car and started the engine, I was surprised: so full, loud but sophisticated sound. Wow. When driving, the sound felt even better. Also the suspension felt stiffer and much more accurate and the gear shifts were suddenly like lightning. I do not know what they did with the steering but it's now stiff, fast and very accurate.

I must say that was 11,800 euro well spent I'm really happy and will keep my California T HS. Perhaps I will just buy a two seater to have my personal car.

Best, Kari

💰9 Marketplace Listings for Kari Voutilainen›

Am I wrong or each of your car licence plates has top speed of car? :)

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 9th, 2017-03:57

Good upgrade...only thing I would also upgraded while there is...color Cheers and enjoy your "new" ride D

racing green huh?

By: Arie - Mr Orange : November 9th, 2017-04:04

Just like our Prince Bernhard always ordered them ...

Racing Green is a fantastic colour.

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-04:10

For a car produced in UK. Best, Kari

Hehe...this time...no..it's cliche but for me Ferrari is red :) [nt]

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 9th, 2017-04:18

I want to be under the radar.

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-04:23

There are not many Ferrari in Finland and Estonia and it's nice when nobody notices just another black car. But my next Ferrari will be red. Or yellow... Best, Kari

Go Kari GO!! :) [nt]

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 9th, 2017-04:34

Not all but I have

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-04:09

252 KMH (Cayanne S), 301 KMH (911 Targa4 GTS) and the pictured 316 KMH. The plates of Targa are wrong because Porsche made some magic with the free aspiring engine plus changed the pipes to Akrapovich. Henry Ford said: "The car can be of any colour as lon...

A black car is the only way to go.

You have a great taste! [nt]

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-08:37

Interesting Thanks

By: stevenokes : November 9th, 2017-05:34

Have never driven it with this package but like you found the original soft. Can commend the F12 but it doesn’t mean some of your needs ( though you do have a targa!).

At some stage I'll get another with just two seats.

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-05:45

But now Cali T HS is perfect for the use it's intended. Best, Kari

Thanks for this.

By: willski : November 9th, 2017-07:10

I did not know this was possible and will enquirer with our dealer about this. Looks and sounds good!

It's a different car now. [nt]

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-08:39

I was expecting this to go differently.

By: zabreg1 Mr White : November 9th, 2017-07:16

I am glad to read you are happy with the Handling Package. Usually those after parts are not that great, but I guess Ferrari knows what they are doing.

Ferrari assured me that the package is the same thing as the one assembled in the factory.

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-08:41

It's interesting to look at the new Portofino. The HS package is standard and in fact the new car seems to be just a face-lift of California T. Best, Kari

It is definitely an interesting car.

By: zabreg1 Mr White : November 9th, 2017-10:16

But not for me. Those sports cars are torture machines. I like space.

Cali T is quite spacious in the front and the feeling of space is nearly like in a normal sedan.

By: dr.kol : November 9th, 2017-10:37

I need often space and that's when Cayanne is the right tool. Best, Kari

I was afraid that for only 11,800 Euro ...

By: bimbeano : November 9th, 2017-14:48

.. there wouldn't have been any difference, so i'm very surprised to hear that the car has changed a lot. PS. Never buy a LaFerrari, a replacement battery costs 7800 Euro .... yes that's the small one to get the engine running. Now the main question is: H...

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