2009 Unique/Novitec Ferrari F430 Calavera review and pictures

Unique/Novitec Ferrari F430 Calavera review:

Calavera "where performance meets design"

Using 11 months of design and development, the bavarian design house „Unique Sportcars" has completed their first design concept: A Super Sports Car for the streets.

Limiting the series to the number of 11, the unique „Calavera" design is based on the Ferrari F430, collaborating exclusively with Ferrari Specialist Novitec Rosso and Airbrush Artist Knud Tiroch.

The „Calavera" concept (Spanish: Skull) is the brand of Unique Sportcars, mother of future design implementations.

In touch with modern fashion, Unique Sportcars has combined „whats hot" with a luxurious sports car, the „Calavera".

All involved create an inspiring team. For over 20 years, Novitec is well-known on the tuning scene. In the early 90s, Novitic received attention and recognition for their Turbo- and Supercharged motors for Alfa Romeo. 2003 was the year of the first Novitec Rosso twin-supercharger engine for Ferrari, making a statement to professionals worldwide.

Knud Tiroch is one of a kind. He belongs to Europe`s finest Airbrush artists and is responsible for creating the exclusive designs on chassis and interior. His finesse was of great use to David Coulthard, ZZ Top, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.
Unique Sportcars develops exclusive designs for customers wanting more than off-the-shelf. Custom-tailoring individual ideas and customer`s wishes, we are on the look-out for partners to make these come to life. Idea, Concept and Implementation, all from one source!

Besides design composition and project engineering, these Bavarians have developed a few special extras. „Calavera`s" front is suited with daytime lights, creating a more agressive look, but not impeding on it`s aerodynamics.
A real eye-catcher is the illuminated engine compartment. This non-standard gimmick puts the „Calavera" in spotlight, setting the tone for the brute rear and 707 HP engine.

The finishing touch is given through its interior. The „Calavera" design continues. Embroidered seats and a modified, extended middle console, leaving room for conventional functions and extensions like the new generation Apple iPod.
The whole procedure of tuning includes completely dismantling the vehicle`s frame. The modifications of engine, aerodynamics, rims, tires and sports exhaust system are done by Novitec.

All custom work is completed within about 3 months.
A bolide, right on schedule for the last series of the Ferrari F430; creating a new sensation.

Summary...a brilliant combination of exclusive design and modern technology. Truely, a „Unique Sportcar".

Technical Details

707 hp / 520 kW, 712 Nm, 0 – 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 348 km/h and extremely sporty interior appointments. At the heart of the CALAVERA lies the NOVITEC ROSSO twin-supercharger engine in its latest evolutionary stage. Up to now, the eight-cylinder, four-valve engine with a displacement of 4,308 ccm and mechanical NOVITEC ROSSO twin superchargers produced 656 hp / 482 kW.
The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200 km/h. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In combination with longer gear ratios available upon request the top speed grows from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19-inch wheels: The three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 double-spoke wheels in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the F430 wheel houses perfectly. High-performance tires in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 come from technology partner PIRELLI.

Like all other body components the NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler was developed in the wind tunnel. It is attached to the underside of the production front apron. It lends the F430 an even more aggressive frontal appearance and reduces lift on the front axle Agile, safe handling is one of the strengths of the NOVITEC ROSSO sport suspension for the Ferrari, optimized everyday use the other. Contrary to the production suspension the front can be raised by 40 millimeters at the push of a button to safely navigate past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself back to normal position, about 35 millimeters lower than the production car.

NOVITEC ROSSO sport stabilizers reduce body roll and provide even more direct turn-in. To be able to safely control this enormous performance potential at all times NOVITEC ROSSO also modifies aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes.