Owning a Ferrari California would be close to motoring nirvana for most people.
But for a select few, a $472,000 prancer isn’t quite exclusive enough.
And that’s where German tuning company Novitec Rosso comes in, with its latest effort at improving perfection.
Making what it calls “tasteful refinements with aerodynamic benefits”, Novitec Rosso has done all the usual things to make the new California not so usual.
Power from the 4.3-litre V8 is up 29 kW to 368kW (or a nice round 500hp) while torque expands from 485Nm to 518Nm.
The increased power brings with it a newly calibrated engine management system with custom mapping for injection and ignition, as well as a new higher redline speed of 8300rpm.
Visually the car looks sharper with carbon fibre add-ons from nose to tail.
The front spoiler attaches to the production bumper reducing lift on the front axle and providing better directional stability at high speeds.
A newly designed diffuser for the rear apron and a lip spoiler have a similar effect on the rear axle and improve aerodynamic balance, while rocker panel moldings and black side markers are simply there to look good.
So too are the new alloys, with 21s on the front and 22s on the back emphasising the convertible’s classic wedge shape.
Custom-calibrated sports springs and ultra-low-profile tyres (255/30 ZR 21 and 315/25 ZR 22) drop the ride height by 35mm, but Novitec Rosso’s hydraulic front lift system can raise the car by 40mm at the push of a button.
HOT HOT HOT
Looks alot like the Maserati Gran Tourismo
AHHHH Noooo it doesnt….Maza GT is in a league of its own…..sorry….
I dont like the cali i dont know why i just dont, and i am a die hard fazza fan but this car just does not do it for me, but the maza gt is just STUNNING….in my opinion….
:)
I wouldn’t say hot, it would be desireable to drive because of it’s ability, but I think the California is a bit ugly. They had one at the Sydney motor show last year and by far the best looking Ferrari on the stand was the F430, the California was the ugliest, evewn the Maserati looked better.
I agree with the ugly comment. To me it looks like Ssang Yong’s attempt at a supercar. Total lack of cohesiveness – the front and rear could be from completely different cars.
Exactly, Ferrari lost the plot on this one I’m afraid
Funny, I prefer this shape to most out, HAs huge links back tot he days when Ferrari started produceing cars for volume, Classic wedge convertibles that turn heads!
Me too actually, when I went for a run in one, it struck me as actually quite a good looking car. The first Ferrari i’d say was good looking in a while.
Can only imagine what the Novitec Rosso version is like. Stock standard, roof down, it’s such a sharp handler yet rides nicer than a C63. It really has hit the sweet spot between track car, and grand tourer. Dare I say it, although it’s smaller, money aside, one would have to question why you’d bother with the GranTurismo.
Interior is really nice, all stitched leather, embossed trident in the two front headrests, nicely bolstered seats (maybe not enough squeeze on the sides for track work, imo). Gearbox works a treat, matched with a superb sounding engine hooked up to a decent exhaust makes even low speed 50km/h residential zone driving enjoyable, plenty of busy popping coming out the rear.
Similar layout to the GranTurismo though, front mounted engine, sunken deep into the chassis. GranTurismo is more show than go, cannot compare the two for performance.