Test drive a virtual ferrari

A new Ferrari website will be launched this Sunday, and it allows visitors to personalise a car and take it for a virtual test drive around the Mugello Circuit.

A "virtual Michael Schumacher", who has driven all the cars around the circuit, will then give advice on driving style and how to take the most efficient racing lines.

Visitors to ferrari.com can choose their car in a variety of different colours and specs before seeing it virtually built in the factory and taking it on to the track.

The Maranello Experience also allows people to take an online tour of the company complex, entering through the gate on Via Abetone, as they would in real life.

There are 360 degree images and video clips of each building.

The website will also be running live coverage of the F1 season from a virtual pitwall, and viewers can consult the telemetry readings coming in from each car.

Advice will be on hand from official Ferrari test driver Ferrari Marc Gene, and race results can be compared with those from previous seasons. The Ferrari F1 drivers will also update personal blogs.

The launch on Sunday is designed to coincide with the first Grand Prix of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship season in Australia.

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Need for speed shift...................................... coming

The videogame producer Electronic Arts recently announced that Need For Speed Shift is scheduled for release on September 17th and the 22nd, depending on which part of the world you play your videogames in. Europe will receive the game first followed by the U.S. on the 22nd, it is expected that India and the middle east by the end of October. Versions of Need for Speed Shift will be available for the Sony PS3 and PSP portable gaming system, Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC.

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2010 Tesla model s

Tesla gave the full reveal today on the all-electric Model S. The company’s first sedan will start at $57,400, but that is reduced to $49,900 after applying a federal tax credit of $7,500.

Tesla is promoting this as a family car, and that’s not hard to believe with seating for up to seven. This sedan has normal seating for five full adults, but it also is taking a page from the old station wagons and has a child-size set of reward facing seats.

Just like the rest of the domestic automakers, Tesla’s Model S comes with a list of options. The standard car comes with a lithium-ion battery pack that is good for 160 miles, but there will also be battery packs good for 230 and 300 miles. The base Model S will do 0-60 mph in under six seconds, and a optional sport version should shave about a second off that time. All cars will be electronically limited to a top speed of 130 mph.

Tesla says the Model S can be charged in any 110V, 220V or 440V outlet. While the 440V takes a convenient 45 minutes for a full charge, we may be a little displeased with having to devote a room in our homes just for the new electrical set up required for 440V service.

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