If you happen to be 500th in the international queue lining up to slam down a deposit on Ferrari's new Scuderia Spider 16M, you might as well forget about it.

The Maranello company has decided to cap production of what it describes as its fastest-ever open-top car (0-100km/h 3.7 seconds, top speed 315km/h) at just 499. The buzz is it will usher them all out the door in short shrift.

Based on the F430 Scuderia launched in 2007, the 16M Spider celebrates this year's 16th Constructor's world title for Ferrari. It is powered by the regular F430 Scuderia's 4.3-litre 90-degree V8 wielding precisely 375.4kW and delivering a hefty, normally aspirated 470Nm.

Ferrari says the 16M laps its Fiorano test track near the Maranello plant in Northern Italy faster than the V12 Enzo supercar.

The extra on-road response comes from the fact that the 16M Spider weighs less again than the already-light, largely aluminium F430 – achieved by such measures as replacing the glass panel over the engine with plastic and making more liberal use of titanium -- now to be found in the wheel nuts and various parts of the suspension...

The regular Scuderia has impeccable credentials itself, being developed with input from Michael Schumacher.

The super-swift 16M convertible is available in black with grey trim or in showier, personalized tricolor form and brings some tricky entertainment gadgetry, including a removable Ferrari iPod Touch with a central dock.

That's not all. Those 499 customers will also find a carbon fibre covered roll bar, a special Formula 1 Constructor's championship badge on the rear grille and a silver limited-edition plaque above the air vents on the dash.

Australians will need to queue up even earlier than their European and North American cousins: local Ferrari importer Ateco has secured a promise of just 10 Scuderia Spider 16Ms. They are expected to arrive in mid 2009 at a premium of $50,000 or so over the entry-level F430.

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