Ferrari president Luca de Montezemolo took the automaker’s new California model out for a spin and announced he was pleased with the results.

The car, which has had a new blue Azzuro colour unveiled, features a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox for the first time in a prancing horse vehicle.

Mr de Montezemolo, who experienced the near instant gear changes the new system allows, said he was “delighted with the performance, comfort and driving pleasure it delivered”.

He added: “This is the first dual-purpose Spider/Coupe with a retractable hard top that closes in just 14 seconds. Despite its extraordinary performance, the California 2+ is also exceptionally easy to drive and has a space behind the front seats that makes it supremely flexible in terms of usage."

The California, which draws design inspiration from the 1960s 250 GT California, is to be be shown later this year at the Paris Motor Show.

Click here to see our range of cars.