The Ferrari California "Virtual Test Drive" Sucks

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

I'm not a fan of the Ferrari California. I think it's a concession to the brand's "image buyers." And while valet parking poseurs are the bread and butter for all exotic car crafters, the California is a folding tin roof too far. That said, the California V8's audio clips are pure gold. But the "Virtual Test Drive" posted on the Ferrari California mini-site is a joke. As a collaboration with Gran Turismo, it's a less-than-merely-adequate preview of both car and game. The production values are game industry low (tail wag my ass). There is no car sound, no engine sound, and the actual clips are too short and obscure the California's actual appearance. Worst of all, the soundtrack was lifted straight from some God awful presentation at a 1999 computer software convention. This car just gets more disappointing by the day. Until, of course, I drive it.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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 3 comments
  • Runfromcheney Runfromcheney on Aug 15, 2008

    I see this as a good thing. Unlike some car companies *cough* GM *cough*, Ferrari has shown that it prefers to spend more money on making great cars and less on PR.

  • Blunozer Blunozer on Aug 15, 2008

    Although I don't share the disdain for the California, that clip was pretty bad. The music was bad, as you say, but it also makes GT5 look horrible compared to Forza 2 for the XBox 360, which has been out for more than a year now.

  • Ret Ret on Aug 15, 2008
    but it also makes GT5 look horrible compared to Forza 2 Yes, Forza 2 is beautiful. I especially like the heat shimmer effect... Wait a sec! That's not an effect, my 360 is ON FIRE!!! GT5, once released, will wipe the floor with Forza, as has been the case with the entire series.
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