Ferrari California T heads out into the Arabian desert

The Prancing Horse is certainly a common sight in the Middle East, which is why the Ferrari California T here is showcased cruising on a patch of road with nothing but sand surrounding it. Filmed in the deserts encircling the Liwa Oasis, the title “Deserto Rosso,” means “Red Desert” in Italian.

If you haven’t already guessed the rationale behind the name and the film for that matter, well, it’s simply because Ferrari sells lots of cars in the Middle East region. The name Deserto Rosso, or Red Desert is the signature colour of the California T; it also pays respect to the Arabian desert.

As for the one minute video, it was filmed over a course of 24 hours, it was set in a specific section of the desert that possesses some of the highest sand dunes in the world. To elaborate further, that part is called the ‘Rub’ al Khali’ or better known by its English name as the ‘Empty Quarter.’

Aside from the business aspect, the California T was chosen for this video due to its “sublime elegance, sportiness, innovation and exclusivity.” It’s a perfectly appropriate match to the “breathtaking beauty and sublime diversity of the desert environment,” the brand explains.

Motivating the 2+2 hard top convertible is a twin-scroll turbo 3.9 litre V8 mill that churns a total of 560 hp and 755 Nm of torque. The California T gets from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 316 km/h. It’s mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Just recently, a new Handling Speciale (HS) package was introduced by Ferrari. Said package sees the California T matched with a sportier suspension set-up, a few cosmetic enhancements, a new exhaust system and a revised F1-Trac logic and Sport mode. In Malaysia, the Ferrari California T goes for RM888,800, before tax and options.