Rare Ferrari clocked at 231km/h, impounded

Ferrari's $455,250 California will launch in New Zealand next week.

Police in Western Australia have locked up a rare Ferrari California clocked at over twice the legal limit.

Police told WA Today that the driver - 57-year-old Perth freelance motoring writer Rod Easdown - was caught at 231km/h.

The car - doing media test rounds - has been impounded by WA police and Easdown will be charged with reckless driving.

WA Today said that there were two of the ultra-desirable Ferraris in Australia - but the second is actually in New Zealand in preparation for the car's launch next Tuesday.

It will retail here for $455,250.

The ultra-desirable California is powered by a new V8 engine, unusually mid-front mounted, generating 325kW at 7500rpm.

It packs the same high-tech F1-Trac traction control system that debuted on the 599 GTB Fiorano.

The newspaper reported that motor-noter Easdown regularly tested cars on the stretch of road in the West Australian Wheatbelt near Toodyay.

He was calm when booked and admitted that he had done wrong.

Under WA's Road Traffic Act, driving at over 155km/h constitutes reckless driving.

For a first offence, drivers face fines and up to nine months' jail, and be disqualified from driving for at least six months.

He will appear in court in September.

- NZ HERALD