The world premiere of the new Ferrari California takes place this evening in the build-up to its official unveiling at the Paris Auto Show on October 2nd next.

The premiere will take place contemporaneously in Maranello and Los Angeles while Ferrari enthusiasts will for the first time in the Prancing Horse’s history be able to watch the event live on the www.ferraricalifornia.com website from 22.00 Italian time.

More than 1,000 special guests from all over the world will watch the presentation of the new car inside the new production line building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2008.

In addition to President Luca di Montezemolo, the event will also be attended by the Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa.

Michael Schumacher will also be on hand, having been involved since the very earliest stages in the development of the Ferrari California, a hugely innovative car sporting a new front-mid 8-cylinder engine and a retractable folding hard top.

The Ferrari California will also be presented today at Santa Monica Private Airport, just outside Los Angeles during a ceremony attended by a further 1,000 invited guests from all over the American continent.