MARANELLO, Italy (AFP) -- World champions Ferrari on Sunday launched their F2008 car for the new Formula One season.

It's the 54th single cock-pit car that the famous Italian manufacturer has launched since first becoming involved in motor-racing and it is codenamed 659 internally.
The major new features of Ferrari's 2008 version F1 car are due to regulatory modifications including the new Standard Electronic Control Unit (SECU) -- an electronic system that all cars are obliged to use.
Other areas affected by regulation changes are the gearbox, which must last four GPs, and safety elements regarding helmets.
Several driver aids, such as traction control and the electronically assisted starting system, have been removed.
All these changes have resulted in a weight increase in the car, although this model will have changed significantly by the time the first Grand Prix of the season begins in March.
Drivers' world champion Kimi Raikkonen is due to take the new car for its first outing at the nearby Fiorano track today.