Quite why Ferrari has bothered to launch a GT Countdown website I don't know, because it has just sent out pictures of the new car completely in the raw.



Named California, the new car is powered by a new V8 engine mounted in the mid-front position – a first for the marque. It's a 4.3-litre lump, with direct injection, and a flat crankshaft which punts out 454bhp at 7,500rpm, but only 310g/km of CO2.



It's only available as a convertible, with a folding metal hardtop, and also has a 7-speed double clutch transaxle-mounted 'box and carbon ceramic brakes as standard.

Ferrari has developed a new multilink rear suspension system and added the latest version of the F1-Trac traction control system too – so will all that kit it’ll slot in above the F430.



More info will be forthcoming in the run up to the California’s debut at the Paris motor show, and I’ll do my best to get them online first.