2009 Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M

(from Ferrari press release) Special series Scuderia Spider 16M unveiled at World Finals in Mugello to celebrate Prancing Horse's 16th F1 Constructor's title   Ferrari has chosen to unveil the new Scuderia Spider 16M at the World Finals in Mugello in celebration of its recent victory in the Formula 1 Constructor's World Championship 2008. This new high performance sports car features the very best of Ferrari's latest mid-rear-engined 8-cylinder technology. In fact, the Scuderia Spider 16M is faster round the Fiorano circuit than any other Prancing Horse open-top road car yet built. This truly evocative special series model, of which just 499 unique examples will be produced, is aimed at the most passionate clients, drivers who demand both exclusivity and superb driving pleasure. The Scuderia Spider 16M is available in a choice of two new signature colour schemes: the standard version is black with grey trim, while a tricolour livery is also available as part of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Personalisation Programme. The new car also sports a special plaque on its rear grille commemorating Ferrari's 16th Constructor's World title. The exclusivity of the interior is underscored by the silver "limited series" plaque just above the air vents at the centre of the dashboard. Other exclusive features include a roll-bar with carbon-fibre outer shell and a specific new generation audio system that can be combined with the removable customised Ferrari iPod Touch 16 GB with central dock just in front of the dashboard. From a technical point of view, this car has a dry weight of 1340 Kg (80 kg lighter than the F430 Spider). This, combined with the 510 hp provided by its V8 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of 2.6 kg/hp, means that it delivers blistering 0-100 kph acceleration in just 3.7 seconds and a superb top speed of 315 kph. © Source: seriouswheels

 

Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider unveiled in Italy

It looks like the recently launched California is not the only new convertible Ferrari has been working on, because yesterday the Italian carmaker introduced the new Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider, the convertible version of the Scuderia. This has been rumored before and there were quite a few voices saying that this model has no point at all. Still, Ferrari has decided to build the car, in celebration of its recent victory in the Formula 1 Constructor's World Championship 2008. Weighting 1340 kg (2954 lbs), the convertible Scuderia is 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than the F430 Spider, which means that, powered by the 510 hp V8 it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). According to Ferrari, and we believe them, this is the fastest convertible they've ever built. The Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider will be built in only 499 units, which will go to their "most passionate clients", whatever that means. Check out more photos after the jump. Photo Gallery: Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider

 

Bored? Play with the Ferrari California configurator

Trying to figure out what to do during the last few minutes before you log out and head home? You're in luck. Ferrari has just launched its online configurator for the new Ferrari California. The Ferrari California comes in over 27 exterior colors, 12 different leather options, three different wheel styles and five difference brake caliper color choices. There are over 4,860 combination choices. Head over to the Ferrari California site to play around and let us know you favorite combo in the comments section below. Still bored - check out our photo gallery of the Ferrari California from the 2008 LA Auto Show after the jump.

 

LA 2008 Live: Ferrari California unveiled in… California

•  You've probably seen it countless times on eGMCarTech. •  4.3L V8 making 460-hp and 357 lb-ft torque; 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. •  0 to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds; top speed of 193 mph. •  Drops its hard-top in just 15 seconds. We hate to think you're getting sick of reading about the Ferrari California, but since we're providing you live coverage from the 2008 LA Auto Show and Ferrari held a press conference for it, we feel the need to bring you the pictures and the info. Info? The Ferrari California is sold out for the next to years. Pricing starts at over $250,000. Oh and for you fuel-economy conscious readers, the Ferrari California gets a combined fuel-economy of 18 mpg. Follow the jump for high-res images from the 2008 LA Auto Show. Ferrari California - Live from 2008 LA Auto Show:

 

Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and Suzuki pull out of 2009 Detroit Auto Show

As you've read numerous times before, GM has shelved plans to unveil the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the production 2010 Cadillac CTS next week at the 2008 LA Auto Show. In fact, GM has cancelled its press conference altogether saying that any product launches may be overlooked due to the current headlines about the company's financial troubles. Volkswagen also cancelled plans to unveil its new roadster concept, rescheduling the world debut for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January. Facing one of the toughest times in the industry in decades, other automakers have also announced that they are cutting spending on auto shows. Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover and Suzuki Motor Corp., all said that they are withdrawing their presence at one of the nation's largest auto shows - the Detroit Auto Show. All four automakers will not be present at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January. "Clearly, we're affected," Andy Fuzesi, general manager and co-owner of the L.A. Auto Show told LA Times. He said that this year, the show has nearly 20% fewer exhibitors. "Everybody is clearly reassessing where they spend their money." That leaves FoMoCo with quite a bit of 'shine time' in LA where it plans to introduce six vehicles including the 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 Mercury Milan and the 2010 Ford Mustang. Source: LA Times

 

Ferrari boss smashed his TV after F1 title loss

There are many reasons why you wouldn't want to piss off an Italian individual. Joining the list today is that he might break his TV in anger. Ferrari's president Luca di Montezemolo smashed his television set after watching McLaren's Lewis Hamilton take the F1 world title from Felipe Massa last week at the Brazilian Grand Prix. "I broke the television, I must tell the truth," Montezemolo told a news conference at a Ferrari event in Mugello on Sunday. Same place where Ferrari launched the new Scuderia Spider 16M. "When a television breaks it makes a terrible bang. My daughter in the other room was given an awful fright. Luckily we had another television so I was able to watch the podium ceremony, which I enjoyed." Felipe Massa, winner of his home grand prix was on his way to victory before Hamilton overtook Timo Glock on the final bend to finish in fifth place. Hamilton needed fifth place to win the F1 title.   Source: Reuters

 

How Not To Load Your Ferrari On A Plane [Ferrari F430]

Getting your favorite Ferrari F430 out of the ever-lovin' middle of nowhere in Kyrgyzstan certainly presents some challenges, but anonymous oligarchs cannot be denied their whims. The roads in this forgotten part of the world are considered apocalypse-grade, the only real way out is by air. Enter the Russian AN12, an aircraft normally used to ship palletized goods, but here, it's been drafted for Ferrari shipping duty. In this set taken by a US Airman, we see local airport workers struggling to get the car loaded without causing very expensive damage. Perhaps most amusing is what looks like burnout marks in the mat covering the loading ramp. Maybe that first attempt didn't go so well. In any case, hopefully this baby made it to its destination safely, but considering the less than first class accommodations, we doubt it. [My350Z Forums]

 

Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M cockpit virtual tour

Ferrari has released a detailed virtual-tour of the cockpit of the upcoming Scuderia Spider 16M, a lighter, more performance oriented version of the Ferrari F430 Spider. Users can look around the car's interior as if they were sitting there themselves, and small information boxes scattered throughout the virtual tour illuminate certain details about the supercar. Looking more like a stripped out racer than a supercar, the Scuderia Spider 16M firmly places the emphasis on the performance side of Ferrari. Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M

 

Ferrari launches online configurator for California

Ferrari has launched a dedicated website for its California convertible, with a number of interesting features to keep potential customers and the curious interested in the car. Organizing the website into three distinct categories of 'Hear', 'See' and 'Feel', the sections feature videos, pictures and, of course, information about the new baby Ferrari. One of the more distinct features of the site, however, is a 'configurator' that allows users of the website to configure their very own Ferrari California in a number of exterior colors, interior trims and wheels. The configurator allows users to see their virtual car with the top up or down, and test-drive a number of different color schemes to see which one suits them best. Ferrari California live photos

 

Mystery Ferrari confirmed as first car in Portfolio coachbuilding program

The mysterious Ferrari we reported about back in August, spotted lapping Ferrari's Fiorano test track in Maranello, has been confirmed as the initial car in the company's new 'Portfolio' coachbuilding program. Delivered to Japanese businessman Junichiro Hiramatsu, the car is called the SP1 and is based on an F430, reworked by Fioravanti. The completely undisguised nature of the new model suggested that this was not some secret new Ferrari model under development, but rather a special one-off model designed for a private individual – similar to the Enzo-based P4/5 built for James Glickenhaus back in 2006. Fioravanti, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has left its fingerprints in the design of the car.

 

Ferrari 599 GTB by Project Kahn

Project Kahn may be looking to solidify its reputation as a producer of custom kits for premium cars. The British tuner revealed today its customization program for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The new program includes a new set of 20 inch Kahn Carbon wheels on the front and 21 inch on the rear, a new sport exhaust system and a new suspension kit for better stability at very high speeds. The engine remained the same because 620 hp are enough to sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and to

 

Ferrari F430 16M Scuderia Spider

To celebrate the 16th driver's championship in Formula 1, Ferrari decided to reveal all the details on their newest F430 16M Scuderia Spider model. With a hardtop roof, California's 4.3-liter V8 engine that sports 510 hp, a smart super-efficient, dual-clutch 7-speed transmission the new F430 sure looks like a winner. So if you're one of those rich sheiks in the Gulf then you'd better prepare some cash because Ferrari is only going to build 499 units of the F430 16M Scuderia Spider. You don't wanna miss on that one …. right? - via Teamspeed.com

 

Ferrari Concept Bike Looks Amazing

Though we'd like Ferrari to keep focusing on building amazing cars, we can't take a look and not say anything about that incredible concept bike. Dubbed V4 Superbike, packing a modified engine from a Ferrari Enzo, F-16 fighter jet hand controls and buttons like those from a F1 race car, this must be the most amazing bike I've seen in my whole life. Badass enough?

 

Rossi in Rosso: MotoGP star drives Ferrari F2008 at Mugello

The Ferrari World Finals at Mugello finished a few weeks ago. But someone appeared to have forgotten to tell the tifosi, as a loyal garrison of the Scuderia's most loyal fans, thousand-strong, came back out last week to the track. After the Challenge series were decided, the 16M Scuderia Spider unveiled, the FXX program ran its laps and the fans celebrated the Formula One constructors' championship, what exactly were they hoping still to see? How about the prospect of seeing an Italian driver piloting an Italian F1 car around one of Italy's most famous tracks? And not just any driver, but Valentino Rossi, a world champion with credentials to rival Schumacher's. Valentino Rossi is an unassailable legend in motorbike racing, having taken the titles in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories in quick succession before moving up to MotoGP and taking the championship five times... so far. Having achieved dominance on two wheels, Rossi has examined the possibility of switching to four. He's competed in several championship rallies, winning the Monza rally in 2006. He initially tested a Ferrari F1 car at Valencia in 2006, where he embarrassed some of F1's most experienced drivers, prompting him to consider a professional switch to Formula One before ultimately deciding to stay in MotoGP. This past week's test session was just for fun then, but Rossi still proved his mettle. He lapped Mugello at 1:22.550 - just a second and a half behind Kimi Raikkonen's time - on his first drive without traction control. Rain interrupted the second day of testing, but while Rossi showed promise, he admits he'd be too old to start in Formula One at this point. Shame for F1 fans, but reassuring for MotoGP aficionados. Check out the gallery of high-resolution images from Rossi's test by clicking the thumbnails below. Gallery: Valentino Rossi tests Ferrari at Mugello [Source: Ferrari]