Ferrari 488 Spider launched in London to Ferrari clients and VIP's and hosted by BBC TV F1 host Tom Clarkson.

Ferrari 488 Spider launched in London to Ferrari clients and VIP's including Jamie Campbell Bower, Lucy Watson, Becky Tong and Oliver Proudlock

The other evening, Ferrari unveiled the 488 Spider during an exclusive event in an incredible central London venue. The car was unveiled by Marc Gené, Scuderia Ferrari F1 test driver and the event was hosted by BBC F1’s Correspondent Tom Clarkson, who were also in the company of Jamie Campbell Bower and Lucy Watson.

The Ferrari 488 Spider is the latest chapter in Ferrari’s on-going love affair with open-top V8 sports cars, a story that started with the targa-top version of the 308 GTB - the immortal 308 GTS - and which ultimately resulted in the full convertible Spider architecture.

Starting with the RHT (Retractable Hard Top), around which the entire car was developed, every area of the 488 Spider has been designed to set new technological benchmarks for the sector. The result is the most powerful and innovative Ferrari Spider ever built, a car that marries the extraordinary prowess of the 488 GTB coupé’s mid-rear V8 with the joy of tackling even the most challenging roads surrounded by nature’s heady aromas and colours and accompanied by an inimitable Ferrari engine soundtrack.

The spectacular launch brought together the most elite in London society. In attendance were guests from the fashion, arts and creative communities as well as those with a passion for the remarkable Italian brand. Upon entering the venue guests were able to experience the beauty and workmanship of the Ferrari 488 Spider up close, positioned centre stage on the ground floor.

As they made their way up the dramatic glass staircase to the first floor guests were able to experience the Ferrari ‘Tailor-Made’ service. Guests were able to experience first-hand the unique service offered to Ferrari customers, ‘Tailor-Made’ is an atelier offering Ferrari customers the highest standard of craftsmanship and personalisation, allowing them the opportunity to select luxurious fabrics and colour combination with which to personalise their vehicles.

Guests sipped on champagne as they also experienced a unique array of traditional Italian delicacies with a modern twist. Burrata served with paper bread, bresaola accompanied with Parmesan and rocket as well as bite size arancini balls. For those with a sweet-tooth Tiramisu was the order of the night, followed by a shot of espresso. Guests drank cocktails celebrating the 488 Spider including the 488, a sumptuous mix gin, peach liquor, peach puree, lemon juice, lavender and Kaffir leaf.

Ferrari 488 Spider Technical Specifications

ENGINE
Type	90° V8, turbo-charged, dry sump
Total displacement	3902 cc (238.1 cu. in)
Bore and stroke	86.5 x 83 mm (3.4 x 3.3 in)
Maximum power *	492 kW (670 cv) at 8000 rpm
Maximum torque *	760 Nm at 3000 rpm in VII gear
Specific output	172 cv/l (2.07 kW/cu. in)
Compression ratio	9.4:1
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Length	4568 mm (179.8 in)
Width	1952 mm (76.9 in)
Height	1211 mm (47.7 in)
Wheelbase	2650 mm (104.3 in)
Front track	1679 mm (66.1 in)
Rear track	1647 mm (64.8 in)
Kerb weight**	1525 kg (3362 lb)
Dry weight**	1420 kg (3131 lb)
Weight distribution	41.5% front – 58.5% rear
Boot capacity	230 l (8.12 cu. ft)
Fuel tank capacity	78 l (22.7 US gallons)
TYRES
Front	245/35 ZR20 J9.0
Rear	305/30 ZR 20 J11.0
BRAKES
Front	398x223x36 mm (15.7 x 8.8 x 1.4 in)
Rear	360x233x32 mm (14.2 x 9.2 x 1.3 in)

TRAMISSION AND GEARBOX

7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission

ELECTRONICS CONTROL

E-Diff3, F1-Trac,High-Performance ABS with Ferrari Pre-Fill, FrS SCM-E, SSC

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed	> 325 km/h (203 mph)

0	– 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph)	3.0 s
0	– 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph)	8.7 s
0	– 400 m (0 – 437 yd)	10.55 s
0	– 1000 m (0 – 1093 yd)	18.9 s
Dry weight/power ratio		2.12 kg/cv (6.35 lb/kW)

CONSUMPTION ***

11.4 l/100 km

C0₂ EMISSIONS***

260 g/km

*with 98 octane fuel

**With optional equipment

***Combined cycle with HELE system (ECE+EUDC)

Scuderia Ferrari and Shell Oils announces a further five year partnership to work across a number of projects.

Shell has become Innovation Partner of Scuderia Ferrari for the next five years as part of a new agreement that will see the pair work closer together than ever before – not only at the top of Formula 1^®, but across a number of different projects.

Announced ahead of the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2015, this arrangement marks a significant new chapter in a partnership that dates back to the 1930s.

Shell will continue to provide Scuderia Ferrari with what it believes to be the world’s best performance fuels and lubricants package: Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell Helix Ultra bespoke motor oil. Beyond that, Shell has also committed to continue to dedicate at least 21,000 man hours and 50 full time technical staff to the Innovation Partnership every year.

As part of this, Shell will have a permanent technical staff presence at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters going forward, a measure of the increased collaboration to come between the two companies.

“Shell’s goal is to help power Scuderia Ferrari to an 11^th Constructors’ Championship title in partnership with Shell,” said Shell’s Downstream Director, John Abbott.

“Of course, fuels and motor oil are just two of the many parts that need to come together for a Formula 1 car to cross the finish line first. As our relationship with the most successful team in Formula 1 evolves, we are determined to help bring success to the Scuderia, and develop even better fuels and lubricants for our millions of customers.”

Istvan Kapitany, Executive Vice President, Shell Retail agreed, saying: “Shell has helped drive Scuderia Ferrari to more success than any other team in the sport’s history, and for that we are very proud.

“Formula 1 is a world-class test bed where we are able to develop the fuels and motor oils that should give Scuderia Ferrari a competitive edge. These advances in product science also make their way into the vehicles of motorists across the globe. With the help of some of the greatest scientific and business minds in the industry, we hope to achieve great things with Scuderia Ferrari as a result of this rejuvenated partnership.”

Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene also hailed the new agreement, saying: “The signing of this contract is another step forward on the path to stability, and we are delighted to work with Shell on an extended basis.

"Historically the engine is at the very core of Ferrari, which means that everything we do with Shell is working around our heritage as an engine constructor. Already this season the work that Shell has done has contributed to our wins in Malaysia and Hungary, which is proof of not only a professional commitment, but is also the result of a great partnership as well."

Shell’s partnership with Ferrari will also stretch beyond Formula 1, with Shell set to provide fuel and lubricants to Ferrari GT teams entering the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

In keeping with this agreement’s spirit of innovation, Ferrari will also support Shell’s global Eco-marathon programme going forward, offering members of the successful teams a four-week internship in Maranello.

To find out more about Shell’s partnership with Ferrari please visit Scuderia Ferrari Uncovered, an innovative and new digital experience that takes fans behind the scenes at a Formula 1 race to see the partnership in action. The site is available now and can be accessed via desktop, mobile and tablet at www.shell.com/sfu.