2015 Ferrari California T turbo | video

There hasn't been a turbocharged engine in a Ferrari since the 1980s F40 model. But turbo has returned to add more power to the updated California T being unveiled at Geneva motor show on March 4.

The Prancing Horse has been hinting for some time that the increasing push for more efficient engines and tightening emissions restrictions would see turbos reappear in the line-up, and the new California is spearheading the bid to achieve those aims while still offering performance.

The Italian supercar brand hasn't yet released the full details of the car, but has confirmed the turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 (an uprated version of the one in the Maserati Quattroporte) will deliver 412kW of power and a hammering 755Nm of torque -- up 74kW and a massive 270Nm on the current model.

It's also able to trump its 0-100km/h time by 0.4 seconds, with the needle hitting the mark at just 3.6 seconds, and topping out where the speedo say 315km/h. And Ferrari says the torque curve increases continually across the rev range. Fuel economy is claimed to be 15 per cent better than the current model. It rides on revised suspension with new springs and dampers, and has carbon ceramic brakes to pull it up.

The revised styling sees the California retain much of the outgoing model, but with updates to nose and tail that mix fresher touches with references to some of the icons of Ferrari history.

A new triple-fence diffuser and exhaust tips have beautified the tail, headlights now echo those of the rest of the family, and the pontoon-fender styling salutes the iconic 250 Testa Rossa. The interior makeover includes new trim and accents, plus a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The California T will head into overseas showrooms shortly after the Geneva debut, and it tipped to reach here in the final quarter of the year.

Watch the desktop version of the 2015 Ferrari California T turbo video here. 

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott