Ferrari California and Z4 (E89) similarities?

tranquility · 08-13-2010, 12:22 AM

Now I'm not delusional and trying to directly compare the two, but did they apparently come out at around the same time? If so, how could they have some interesting coincidences, like the roof mechanism being virtually identical, and matched w/ similarly-shaped 4 windows. Just curious.

EDIT: other similarities...
-7 spd dual clutch
-direct injection

BlueZ4AZ · 08-13-2010, 01:00 AM

Same 0-60, 1/4 mile time and top speed....... then I woke up.

teagueAMX · 08-13-2010, 01:03 AM

California
-- 2+2 GT
-- larger platform (more weight, too)
-- more horsepower
-- naturally aspirated engine
Z4
-- 2 seat sports car
-- Shorter wheelbase, more personal
-- 35i tt engine

Other than that they're just alike.

tranquility · 08-13-2010, 01:19 AM

Well, I'm focusing more on the roof mechanism...

Otago · 08-13-2010, 01:28 AM

I think California is more practical car than other Ferrari’s models.

teagueAMX · 08-13-2010, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Well, I'm focusing more on the roof mechanism...

Yes, it's true

cdeslandes · 08-13-2010, 11:46 AM

The difference is that I know I can't afford the California, while I'm in denial with the Z4...

tranquility · 08-13-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

The difference is that I know I can't afford the California, while I'm in denial with the Z4...

At least you live in the USA, where it's more realistic than in Canada w/ its jacked-up prices.

cdeslandes · 08-13-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

At least you live in the USA, where it's more realistic than in Canada w/ its jacked-up prices.

Haven't you heard? The US is turning into Canada!

Memphis1 · 08-13-2010, 01:29 PM

Neither Ferrari nor BMW design or produce, DCT trannies, hard top mechanisms. both of those "products" are share by multiple manufacturers, including Porsche, Mercedes Benz, vw, Audi and others. There's no comparison nor copying.

Dr Stig 2 · 08-13-2010, 04:22 PM

And there are only so many ways you can fold two pieces of roof into a boot space.
You can bet everyone who wanted to design a car to fold the roof bought an early SLK (13 years ago) and studied the hell out of their solution.

Stick Shift · 08-13-2010, 08:30 PM

I can see the similarity...

teagueAMX · 08-13-2010, 08:33 PM

Strikingly similar, almost spooky!

Rafale · 08-13-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick Shift

I can see the similarity...

Looks like BMW copied the RIMS and made it a two seater!

tranquility · 08-13-2010, 11:48 PM

Alright ppl...aarrrgh.

Memphis1 · 08-14-2010, 12:27 AM

Edscha produced roof modules for vehicles as follows:
BMW 6 Series Convertible (2004)
Aston Martin DB9 Volante (2005)
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (2005)
Jaguar XK Convertible (2006)
Audi TT Roadster (2006)
BMW 3 Series Convertible (2007)
Peugeot 207CC Convertible (2007)
Smart ForTwo Convertible (2007)
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead (2007)
Audi A3 Convertible (2008)
Maybach Landaulet (2008)
BMW Z4 Roadster (2009)
Alfa-Romeo 8C Competizione Roadster (2009)
the production has been transferred to the new company Webasto-Edscha Cabrio

"October 06, 2008
First premium sports convertible with a retractable hardtop (RHT) – The perfect consummation of form with lightweight construction, sleek kinematics, and new hydraulic technology
Stockdorf/Munich – The new Ferrari California is presented with a convertible roof of Webasto. The multi-faceted premium sports convertible was premiered in Germany at this year’s Ferrari Racing Days 2008 at the Nürburgring (October 3 to 5) – and is the first of its kind to have a retractable hardtop (RHT). Ferrari commissioned Webasto with the 2-piece roof system in 2006. Highlights of the roof, which can open in 14 seconds, include the use of proportional valve technology in the hydraulics, a sleek kinematics concept in order to optimize trunk volume, and a large number of aluminum structural components that Webasto used to deliberately follow through on the lightweight trend.

Technical highlights in detail
The roof shell, for instance, is constructed completely of aluminum. Further aluminum components include the main pivot brackets, cross members, frame, and the kinematics of the tonneau cover. An additional novelty is the use of proportional valve technology in the hydraulic system, which allows for adjustable flow control. Consequentially, the C-segment and the tonneau cover can be opened simultaneously, providing a perfectly coordinated and therefore quicker opening process for the entire roof system. The result: an opening and closing cycle lasting just 14 seconds. In addition, Webasto developed the first two-piece RHT with equal-shaped stowage in the trunk. The main advantage of this storage method is that it helps create a more sleek elegant design contour than with the classic lens-shaped fold.
“With the implementation of highly sophisticated kinematic technology and future-oriented hydraulics, we could successfully sustain the flawless coupe design contours that are Ferrari’s trademark,” explains Rolf-Peter Baule, Global Vice President for Webasto’s convertible segment. “I’m convinced that we’ve applied our market leadership in innovative retractable hardtops to a vehicle that will become a future classic. We’re very proud of that.”

Optimized trunk concept
From a technical standpoint, the equal-shaped layout of the folded roof requires minimal stowage space. For that reason, the Ferrari California offers an unexpectedly large amount of trunk volume for its class. Capacity totals 260 liters with an open roof and increases to 360 liters when the roof is closed. Optimizing available trunk space was one of the requirements for Webasto’s developers. The objective was to create a Ferrari with unprecedented versatility. Thanks to a sleek kinematics concept in conjunction with a so-called cross brace – instead of the conventional torsion wall – the car could offer a folding rear bench and a hatch for skis, creating a trunk that is suited to the needs of everyday use.
The total weight of the roof system (including the tonneau cover, the corresponding kinematics, and the actual trunk lid) totals 105 kilogram, considerably less than what the client had specified. The roof is produced as a complete system at Webasto’s production location in Turin, afterwards being shipped to Ferrari in Maranello."

richard in NC · 08-14-2010, 08:07 AM

I saw my first Ferrari California June '09. If it is a 2+2 (can't tell from the pics I took), it is a VERY small back seat. It is very similar but not a copy.

teagueAMX · 08-14-2010, 09:11 AM

Nice pics richard in NC.

Here are a few more (and I have a bunch - tell me when to stop

)

Of course red is the favorite Ferrari color, but they have a blue color called Tour de France Blue which is very similar IMO to BMWs Deep Sea Blue. White looks great on the California. The back seats are impossible except for a very small kid. They have a factory option to make the seats into a package/luggage shelf for people who go on long tours. The back seats drop down to give access to the trunk like the Z4's option. The trunk has a movable device just like the Z4 to allow the hard top to drop. Here's a couple of crazy colors I'm throwing in for kicks that I don't think you'll ever see on the street.

.

teagueAMX · 08-14-2010, 09:29 AM

Here's a couple different colors - a nice gray, a yellow that's very bright. We have a quite a few discussions on the forum about rear wind screens - the California has one too that folds up for the limited trunk space.

.

Otago · 08-14-2010, 11:09 AM

I go for the bright yellow, thanks for the pics.

Rafale · 08-14-2010, 11:41 AM

It's funny for Ferrari how the back seat are soooo "Economy Class"

tranquility · 08-14-2010, 11:43 AM

Another similarity: both look good top up/down.

However, the Ferrari looks better top up vs the Z4, almost as if it's built like a coupe.

08-13-2010, 12:22 AM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Ferrari California and Z4 (E89) similarities? Now I'm not delusional and trying to directly compare the two, but did they apparently come out at around the same time? If so, how could they have some interesting coincidences, like the roof mechanism being virtually identical, and matched w/ similarly-shaped 4 windows. Just curious. EDIT: other similarities... -7 spd dual clutch -direct injection Last edited by tranquility; 08-13-2010 at 12:44 AM..
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08-13-2010, 01:00 AM	#2
BlueZ4AZ Go SU 33 Rep 902 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Same 0-60, 1/4 mile time and top speed....... then I woke up.
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08-13-2010, 01:03 AM	#3
teagueAMX Colonel 60 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	California -- 2+2 GT -- larger platform (more weight, too) -- more horsepower -- naturally aspirated engine Z4 -- 2 seat sports car -- Shorter wheelbase, more personal -- 35i tt engine Other than that they're just alike. __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown Last edited by teagueAMX; 08-13-2010 at 01:10 AM..
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08-13-2010, 01:19 AM	#4
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Well, I'm focusing more on the roof mechanism...
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08-13-2010, 01:28 AM	#5
Otago Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 sDrive 30i manual Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	I think California is more practical car than other Ferrari’s models.
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08-13-2010, 11:46 AM	#7
cdeslandes Captain 27 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Jeep Wrangler ... [0.00] 2013 Volvo XC90 [0.00] 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [8.67]	The difference is that I know I can't afford the California, while I'm in denial with the Z4... __________________ 2010 BMW Z4 s35i 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90
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08-13-2010, 01:29 PM	#10
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Neither Ferrari nor BMW design or produce, DCT trannies, hard top mechanisms. both of those "products" are share by multiple manufacturers, including Porsche, Mercedes Benz, vw, Audi and others. There's no comparison nor copying. __________________
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08-13-2010, 04:22 PM	#11
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane 53 Rep 1,464 Posts Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW Z4 35is [10.00] 2013 BMW X5 30d [0.00]	And there are only so many ways you can fold two pieces of roof into a boot space. You can bet everyone who wanted to design a car to fold the roof bought an early SLK (13 years ago) and studied the hell out of their solution. __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia
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08-13-2010, 08:30 PM	#12
Stick Shift Private 2 Rep 63 Posts Drives: too fast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland, USA iTrader: (0)	I can see the similarity... __________________ 2008 Porsche Carrera S 2010 BMW Z4 35i
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08-13-2010, 08:33 PM	#13
teagueAMX Colonel 60 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Strikingly similar, almost spooky! __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown
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08-13-2010, 11:48 PM	#15
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Alright ppl...aarrrgh.
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08-14-2010, 12:27 AM	#16
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Edscha produced roof modules for vehicles as follows: BMW 6 Series Convertible (2004) Aston Martin DB9 Volante (2005) Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (2005) Jaguar XK Convertible (2006) Audi TT Roadster (2006) BMW 3 Series Convertible (2007) Peugeot 207CC Convertible (2007) Smart ForTwo Convertible (2007) Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead (2007) Audi A3 Convertible (2008) Maybach Landaulet (2008) BMW Z4 Roadster (2009) Alfa-Romeo 8C Competizione Roadster (2009) the production has been transferred to the new company Webasto-Edscha Cabrio "October 06, 2008 First premium sports convertible with a retractable hardtop (RHT) – The perfect consummation of form with lightweight construction, sleek kinematics, and new hydraulic technology Stockdorf/Munich – The new Ferrari California is presented with a convertible roof of Webasto. The multi-faceted premium sports convertible was premiered in Germany at this year’s Ferrari Racing Days 2008 at the Nürburgring (October 3 to 5) – and is the first of its kind to have a retractable hardtop (RHT). Ferrari commissioned Webasto with the 2-piece roof system in 2006. Highlights of the roof, which can open in 14 seconds, include the use of proportional valve technology in the hydraulics, a sleek kinematics concept in order to optimize trunk volume, and a large number of aluminum structural components that Webasto used to deliberately follow through on the lightweight trend. Technical highlights in detail The roof shell, for instance, is constructed completely of aluminum. Further aluminum components include the main pivot brackets, cross members, frame, and the kinematics of the tonneau cover. An additional novelty is the use of proportional valve technology in the hydraulic system, which allows for adjustable flow control. Consequentially, the C-segment and the tonneau cover can be opened simultaneously, providing a perfectly coordinated and therefore quicker opening process for the entire roof system. The result: an opening and closing cycle lasting just 14 seconds. In addition, Webasto developed the first two-piece RHT with equal-shaped stowage in the trunk. The main advantage of this storage method is that it helps create a more sleek elegant design contour than with the classic lens-shaped fold. “With the implementation of highly sophisticated kinematic technology and future-oriented hydraulics, we could successfully sustain the flawless coupe design contours that are Ferrari’s trademark,” explains Rolf-Peter Baule, Global Vice President for Webasto’s convertible segment. “I’m convinced that we’ve applied our market leadership in innovative retractable hardtops to a vehicle that will become a future classic. We’re very proud of that.” Optimized trunk concept From a technical standpoint, the equal-shaped layout of the folded roof requires minimal stowage space. For that reason, the Ferrari California offers an unexpectedly large amount of trunk volume for its class. Capacity totals 260 liters with an open roof and increases to 360 liters when the roof is closed. Optimizing available trunk space was one of the requirements for Webasto’s developers. The objective was to create a Ferrari with unprecedented versatility. Thanks to a sleek kinematics concept in conjunction with a so-called cross brace – instead of the conventional torsion wall – the car could offer a folding rear bench and a hatch for skis, creating a trunk that is suited to the needs of everyday use. The total weight of the roof system (including the tonneau cover, the corresponding kinematics, and the actual trunk lid) totals 105 kilogram, considerably less than what the client had specified. The roof is produced as a complete system at Webasto’s production location in Turin, afterwards being shipped to Ferrari in Maranello." __________________
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08-14-2010, 08:07 AM	#17
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I saw my first Ferrari California June '09. If it is a 2+2 (can't tell from the pics I took), it is a VERY small back seat. It is very similar but not a copy. Attached Images __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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08-14-2010, 09:11 AM	#18
teagueAMX Colonel 60 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Nice pics richard in NC. Here are a few more (and I have a bunch - tell me when to stop ) Of course red is the favorite Ferrari color, but they have a blue color called Tour de France Blue which is very similar IMO to BMWs Deep Sea Blue. White looks great on the California. The back seats are impossible except for a very small kid. They have a factory option to make the seats into a package/luggage shelf for people who go on long tours. The back seats drop down to give access to the trunk like the Z4's option. The trunk has a movable device just like the Z4 to allow the hard top to drop. Here's a couple of crazy colors I'm throwing in for kicks that I don't think you'll ever see on the street. . Attached Images __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown Last edited by teagueAMX; 08-14-2010 at 09:36 AM..
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08-14-2010, 09:29 AM	#19
teagueAMX Colonel 60 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	Here's a couple different colors - a nice gray, a yellow that's very bright. We have a quite a few discussions on the forum about rear wind screens - the California has one too that folds up for the limited trunk space. . Attached Images __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown Last edited by teagueAMX; 08-14-2010 at 09:34 AM..
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08-14-2010, 11:09 AM	#20
Otago Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 sDrive 30i manual Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	I go for the bright yellow, thanks for the pics.
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08-14-2010, 11:41 AM	#21
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	It's funny for Ferrari how the back seat are soooo "Economy Class"
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08-14-2010, 11:43 AM	#22
tranquility sportscars only 3242 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	Another similarity: both look good top up/down. However, the Ferrari looks better top up vs the Z4, almost as if it's built like a coupe.
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