The hotly-anticipated Ferrari California will cost £143,000 when it goes on sale next year – pitching itself against the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and Aston Martin DB9 Volante.

At £143,000, the Ferrari California will be £6,500 more than the Gallardo and £21,000 more than the Aston Martin DB9.

View our 20 page Ferrari California in Paris slide show

But a combination of the price and global economic slowdown doesn’t seem to have deterred the super-rich: the Ferrari California is already sold out until 2011.

Officially unveiled earlier this month at the Paris Motor Show, the California is the first Ferrari to have an electrically-folding metal roof which will open fully in just 15 seconds.

Under the bonnet of the California is a 4.3-litre V8 engine which sends 460bhp to the rear wheels – enabling 0-62mph in 4 seconds and a top speed of 192mph.

In comparison, the 470bhp Aston Martin DB9 Volante will do the 62mph dash in 4.6 seconds and hit 190mph while the Gallardo Spyder manages 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 193mph.

More Ferrari California pictures

While performance-wise the California is the baby Ferrari, its £143,000 list price is £4,500 more than the Ferrari F430 coupe but £4,500 more than the Spider model.

The front-engined, rear-drive Ferrari will also have a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox for the first time which allows the driver to change gear via paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

F1 legend Michael Schumacher has had a big role in the inception of the California and has spent a lot of time working with engineers and technicians in the development of the convertible.

Describing the car’s purpose, the seven-time F1 champion said: “The Ferrari California is designed for everyday use and for weekends away whilst still guaranteeing all of the emotional impact that only an authentic Ferrari can deliver.”