Special series Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M

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.

SCUDERIA SPIDER 16M - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Engine

* Naturally aspirated mid-rear 90° V8, 4308 cc
* Maximum power output 375.4 kW (510 hp) at 8500 rpm
* Maximum torque 470 Nm (47.7 Kgm) at 5250 rpm
* Max engine speed 8640 rpm (at limiter)
* Compression ratio 11.9:1
* Bore and Stroke 92 mm X 81 mm
* Specific power output 118.4 hp/litre

Transmission

* Six-speed plus Reverse F1 gearbox
* Dry dual clutch
* Electronic differential E-diff + F1-Trac
* Oil gearbox lubrication with oil/water heat exchanger

Performance, fuel consumption, emissions

* Acceleration 0-100 km/h 3.7 s
* Maximum speed 315 kph
* Drive weight/power 2.6 kg/hp
* Fuel consumption 15.7 l/100 km (combined ECE)
* CO2 emissions 360 g/km (combined ECE)

Chassis and bodywork

* Car dimensions:
o Length 4512 mm
o Width 1923 mm
o Height 1216 mm
o Wheelbase 2600 mm
o Front track 1669 mm
o Rear track 1616 mm
* Dry weight * 1340 kg (-80 kg vs F430 Spider)
* Kerb weight * 1440 kg
* Weight distribution 43% front, 57% rear
* Fuel tank capacity 95 litres
* Independent front and rear forged aluminium double wishbone suspensions, titanium helical springs, hollow anti-roll bars and lighter electronic shocks
* 398mm X 36mm carbon-ceramic material front brake discs with aluminium 6-pot callipers
* 350mm X 34mm carbon-ceramic material rear disc brakes with aluminium 6-pot callipers
* 19” five-spoke split rims front and rear
* Tyres: 235/35 front and 285/35 rear; Fabbrica Pirelli PZero Corsa only

Electronic control systems

* CST Stability and Traction Control System. Steering wheel-mounted manettino with five settings to integrate the F1 gearbox, CST and F1-Trac (Stability and Traction Control System), suspension control.

Source: Ferrari

Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe

Mercedes’ CLK is set to be replaced next year by the all-new E-Class Coupe
The current Mercedes-Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own unique segment and has no direct competition from its German rivals. Its sales history has been a strong success, especially in the U.S., but reports are surfacing that the German carmaker is planning to end the CLK name and instead brand its successor as an ‘E-Class’ Coupe and Convertible.

In the press release for the new ConceptFASCINATION Mercedes-Benz states that its designers are working on a ‘future E-Class Coupe.’ This goes towards explaining why Mercedes would drop such an important nameplate - the main reason is that the car’s successor will be based on the same platform that will underpin the next-generation E-Class due next year.

Meanwhile, near production-ready test mules for the E-Class Coupe and Cabrio have been spotted near Mercedes headquarters in Germany and now these latest spy shots give us a clue as to what the final car will look like. As expected, the car draws heavily from the recent ConceptFASCINATION, while in keeping with its more upmarket positioning a new folding metal roof will come standard with the Cabrio.

Powertrains should include the new 272hp (203kW) 3.5L V6 engine as well as Mercedes’ 5.5L V8 for the E500 Coupe flagship. An even more powerful AMG version is guaranteed; sporting a 481hp (359kW) version of the hand built 6.2L V8 engine. The E-Class Coupe will be offered with optional 4Matic AWD and could possibly come with a new mild-hybrid option further down the track.

The decision to move the CLK to the E-Class platform will allow Mercedes to introduce a new entry-level coupe and convertible based on the C-Class, finally providing the carmaker with a direct competitor to BMW’s popular 3-series two-door models. You can see a preview of such a car in our previous story by clicking here.

The story doesn’t end there, however, as Mercedes is also expected to launch a new ‘shooting brake’ model based on the ConceptFASCINATION. The car will be the first production model based on the new E-Class platform - in the same way that the A5 Coupe was the first iteration of Audi’s new modular platform used in the A4 and future A6 – and is first expected to appear in showrooms early next year.

The new E-Class Coupe and Cabrio are expected to make their world debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

2010 Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet unveiled just in time for winter

The Audi A5 and its V8-powered S5 sibling are considered by many to be the most beautiful Audis ever created. For some time now it's been common knowledge that an open top variant of Audi's latest coupe was coming. We'll still have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show in March to see the A5 and S5 Cabriolets in the metal, but we now have details and photos of the pair. Fortunately, unlike so many other automakers, Audi has chosen to stick with a more traditional fabric top rather than an articulated metal contraption. The soft top is lighter than metal hard tops and Audi also keeps the bulk further under control with aluminum fenders. With the top folded, the trunk still has 11.3 cu-ft of usable space; try that with a retractable hard top. Europeans will get the usual array of gas and diesel engines in the drop top A5, but here in the U.S. we'll only be getting the 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder engine or the 3.2L FSI V6 that powers the A5 Coupe. The S5 is a different story. While the S5 coupe has a 4.2L V8 that it keeps until the end of the 2010 model year, the Cabriolet will immediately get the new supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6 that recently debuted in the new S4. The 333-hp V6 can be had with either the 6-speed manual or 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox. The A5 and S5 Cabriolet go on sale here next fall, which is ironically just about when the open-air motoring season ends in many parts of the U.S.

Gallery: 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Gallery: 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet

[Source: Audi]

One-of-one Lamborghini Miura Roadster up for sale

There are few cars that are a true one-of-one. If you've ever watched Barrett-Jackson auctions on television, you've seen the guy who claims his '67 Camaro is the only one in existence... with that particular combination of options. Yes, his car is unique, but we wouldn't declare it a one-off by any means. We're talking a truly unique car, like this 1968 Lamborghini Miura Roadster with coachwork by Bertone. Built for the 1968 Brussels Motor Show, the Miura Roadster features an open top with larger air intakes integrated into a rollover hoop. The rear of the car was also reshaped with a larger spoiler and unique taillights. The car was recently restored to its original condition including its beautiful metallic blue paint. We saw it in person at this year's Pebble Beach Concours, a mere week after it was fully completed, where it finished second in the Lamborghini class. The Miura Roadster is now being offered for sale, and we imagine it will go for quite a bit more than the $330,000 it cost to restore the car.

Gallery: Lamborghini Bertone Miura Roadster