Ferrari California news - California über alles - 2008

Whenever we first see a convertible version of a previously hard-roofed car, it's a constant struggle to avoid those cringeworthy 'going topless' puns (ooh-err, nudge nudge etc).

But the Ferrari California has done things rather the other way round. This is the first time we've seen the new V8 GT with its roof up, as the original pictures only showed it roof-down.

We've got a bunch more information on the California, too. As you can see, it's a two-piece folding hard-top that stows away under a hinged boot panel. Ferrari says it'll close in just 14 seconds, with a loss of bootspace of 100 litres - down from 360 litres with the roof up.

The two-seat/four-seat confusion becomes a little clearer, too. Ferrari is referring to the California as a '2+' - there's space behind the front passengers for either very small people or a decent amount of luggage - but you do at least get rear seatbelts.

We've also got a better idea of how the California lines up against its rivals. At 456cm long, it's 10 centimetres shorter than a DB9 and a couple of centimetres longer than a Mercedes SL - but a whole 26cm longer than the mid-engined Lambo Gallardo. It's about the same width as the Lamborghini, though a good eight cm wider than the SL. Not tiny, in other words.

By Ferrari's standards, the California is a veritable fuel-sipper, recording 21.5mpg on the combined cycle. It may not sound very green, but don't forget the Gallardo manages a mere, erm, 14.5mpg.

If you're wondering about that slightly dodgy powder-blue paintjob, it's the Azzuro California livery - the very same colour that the original California Spider was shown in at the New York Show in 1962.

We'd probably stick with Rosso Corsa, but there's no denying that the California is lining up to be a seriously sorted bit of kit. Roof down or up.