You'll have to forgive me for my taste on today's post - I'm a powertrain engineer, not a Ferrari owner, or a race car driver.  And, I'm a huge fan of the California T's F154 BB twin-turbo V8 engine.  The hardtop roof throws off the proportions, and I'd prefer to shift for myself, but the TT V8 and the blue paint on this particular example have me won over.

Ferrari used to have more of an edge over the competition when it came to engine technology, as its customers were happy to pay for higher-cost engine components if it resulted in more power and a better driving experience.  But, the playing field in automotive powertrains has leveled, with increased vehicle mass and tighter emissions standards forcing mass-production automakers to invest in more expensive technologies to motivate their crossover SUVs.  The result of this, is that a 3.9L TT Ferrari V8 shares most of its core technology with the typical 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder in the leased crossover SUVs flooding the market.

Year: 2016
Model:  Ferrari California T
Engine: 3.9L V8
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Mileage:  2,946mi
Price: $174,900

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS: 2016 Ferrari California T

Stock #: FT2248
Exterior Color: Blu Tour de France
Interior Color: Sabbia
Body Type: Convertible
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
Fuel Type: Gasoline Fuel
Engine: V-8 cyl
Title Condition: ClearClick to view listing

Take the twin-scroll turbocharger, implemented to efficiently time exhaust pulses, on the Ferrari F154, for example.  You know who else is running a twin-scroll turbocharger?  Hyundai, on their Sonata, and many more automakers.  Direct injection?  That's been on nearly everything for the past ten years now.  A two-stage oil pump, allowing for engine oil pressure and flow to be supplied as required, can be found in nearly every economy car in modern times.  Variable valve timing, roller finger followers, intercoolers - none of these technologies are exclusive to Ferrari.

Where Ferrari does an excellent job is in the packaging and integration of these technologies.  Is Ferrari's job easier than, say, Hyundai's job?  Sure - there might be more room for packaging in a Ferrari, with the wide engine bays.  But, don't forget that the long, low hoods require a compact engine in the vertical axis, and while the dry-sump oil pan and low engine mounting position do help a bit, those long intake runners and high-mount manifolds don't help in that regard.  Cost and production methods are a real advantage to Ferrari.  Their engines are hand-built like most production engines, but their builders are willing to accept more ergonomic inconvenience than the typical Hyundai engine line worker.  This allows for designs that might be more difficult to assemble, but that serve the consumer better.  Same for cost - the checkbook is always open when it comes to solving Ferrari packaging issues, and when you look at the tidy engine, it shows.  So, who's looking for an F154 CC?  Comes with a free 2016 California T!

-Graham