Ferrari California T Hyderabad crash: Why everyone can't handle supercars

A rare Ferrari California T was involved in a crash in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills recently, leaving three people injured and triggering traffic disruption in one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods. The accident occurred near Road No. 45, close to the residence of actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, when the high-value supercar reportedly lost control and collided with multiple vehicles.

The Ferrari first struck an electric pole on the road divider before crashing into an oncoming vehicle. The impact led to a chain reaction, damaging several vehicles behind it. Those injured were shifted to a private hospital and are said to be in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that the driver tested negative for alcohol and was travelling to attend a wedding at the time of the incident. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Jubilee Hills police have registered a case against Kranthi Reddy (30), who was driving at the time of the accident, following a complaint by one of the victims. He was taken into custody.

The crash occurred around 10:30 am while Reddy was on his way to a wedding. He and his wife were among those injured. There is no suggestion that the driver was inexperienced, though it has been reported that the car’s steering system may have malfunctioned.

The real reason supercars aren’t easy to drive

This supercar generates more than 550hp, far exceeding the output of most regular passenger vehicles. Its power delivery is immediate, and even small throttle inputs can send significant torque to the driven wheels. Unlike everyday cars, which are tuned for gradual acceleration, high-performance models, especially rear-wheel-drive variants, can lose grip if the throttle is applied abruptly. The risk increases if traction control systems are reduced or turned off, particularly on uneven or low-traction surfaces.

In such situations, the rear of the car can step out, leading to oversteer. Without prompt corrective steering and throttle control, the vehicle may spin. Managing this level of performance requires measured inputs and driving experience.

All about the Ferrari California T

The Ferrari California T was introduced in 2014 as the successor to the original California, marking the brand’s return to turbocharged road cars. Positioned as a front-engined convertible grand tourer, it was developed to combine daily usability with performance. It is powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 from Ferrari’s F154 engine family, producing about 560hp and 755Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. The car can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in around 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of about 316 km/h. Ferrari tuned the turbo system to reduce lag and deliver linear power, with driving modes selectable through the manettino switch to adjust throttle, suspension and traction settings.

The model uses an aluminium chassis and comes equipped with magnetorheological dampers and carbon-ceramic brakes. Weight distribution is close to 47:53 (front to rear) to maintain balance. Styled by the Ferrari Design Centre with Pininfarina, the California T features revised front and rear styling, large air intakes, LED headlamps and quad exhaust outlets. It is equipped with a retractable hardtop that can open or close in about 14 seconds.

The cabin includes leather upholstery, electrically adjustable seats, a multifunction steering wheel and a central touchscreen infotainment system, along with a small rear seating area. Designed as a more accessible grand tourer than mid-engined Ferrari models, it offers usable boot space and comfort-oriented driving characteristics. The California T was later replaced by the Portofino, continuing Ferrari’s front-engined V8 convertible line.