FERRARI opened a new chapter in its history with the kitschly-named California, which represented a drastic departure from previous models as the first Prancing Horse to feature a front-mounted V8 or a folding hard-top.

Apart from promising the best of both fixed-roof and open-top motoring worlds to a whole new audience, the all-new circa-$460,000 coupe-convertible was also the Italian supercar maker’s first model to offer now-common technologies like a twin-clutch transmission and a direct-injection engine.

Now, however, in a bid to further reduce CO2 emissions Ferrari has added to this the availability of HELE, an optional fuel-economy package that comprises an idle-stop function and more efficient fuel, cooling, climate and transmission control systems.

Is this mere window-dressing to make well-heeled high-performance car fans feel better about driving a Ferrari or do the changes make worthwhile fuel and CO2 reductions without diluting performance and, if so, why isn’t HELE standard?