The Ferrari California has been given its official global debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The bright red Ferrari California is the first car from the Italian car maker to have an electrically-folding metal roof – and it’s amazingly quick, folding from open to fully closed in just 15 seconds and then dropping back down again in the same amount of time.

View our Ferrari California slide show

While the Ferrari California was unveiled in September at special ceremonies in California and Italy, this is the first time the convertible has been officially on show to the general public.

And first impressions show a stunning entry-level Ferrari, with beautiful five-spoke alloy wheels and front lights and bonnet vents which look like an evolution from the Ferrari 575.

It appears to be impossible to see the Ferrari California from a bad angle and looks to be the best looking new supercar since the Alfa 8C.

But while it’s the entry-level Ferrari, it’s unlikely to be slow and it won’t be cheap.

Mounted up front is a 4.3-litre V8 engine which channels 460bhp to the California’s rear wheels – enabling a 0-62mph time of 4 seconds.

And for the first time, the two-seat California will have a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox which allows the driver to change gear with paddles attached to the steering wheel.

This helps to improve the quickness of gear changes and – thanks to its efficiency – also results in improved carbon dioxide emissions with the Lambo Gallardo Spider-rivalling California emitting 310g/km – making it the greenest ever Ferrari.

There may be an economic slowdown but with these looks and performance, it will be a great surprise if the order book doesn’t fill up as quickly as the car accelerates.