NOVITEC ROSSO now also refines the new Ferrari 458 Italia. At the Geneva Motor Show 2011 the extensive program for the mid-engine sports car will celebrate its world debut. The high-performance program includes engine tuning that increases power output to 609 hp / 448 kW, propelling the two-seater car to a top speed in excess of 330 km/h. The NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance exhaust system, made from the same INCONEL material also used in Formula 1 racing, optimizes both power yield and exhaust note while weighing in at 21 kilograms less than the production exhaust. The NOVITEC ROSSO aerodynamic-enhancement kit was developed in the wind tunnel and is manufactured from carbon fibers. It also contributes to the lightweight-design concept of the NOVITEC ROSSO conversion. A custom-tailored tire/wheel combination with diameters of 21 and 22 inches, a modified suspension with front lift system and exclusive interior options round out the upgrade for the Italian sports car.

The NOVITEC ROSSO specialists unleash an additional 39 hp / 28.7 kW of power from the 4.5-liter V8. A new carbon-fiber airbox with modified air routing is installed on the intake side. The NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance exhaust system was developed to improve exhaust-gas flow. The exhaust system consists of two high-performance manifolds, sport catalysts and a rear muffler with a control flap, whose sound can be adjusted by the Manettino button on the steering wheel.

The exhaust system features three tailpipes with a diameter of 90 millimeters and optimizes power yield while producing a more sporty exhaust note. But that’s not all: It is manufactured from INCONEL, the same material used on Formula 1 race cars, making the NOVITEC ROSSO exhaust especially heat resistant and more importantly extremely light: Compared to the production exhaust it represents a weight saving of 21 kilograms.

The engine conversion also includes newly programmed engine electronics with newly calibrated mapping for ignition and injection.

After the conversion the engine of the 458 Italia produces 609 hp / 448 kW at 9,100 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 540 Nm to 569 Nm at 5,400 rpm. The engine also responds even faster to throttle commands and the slightly higher redline speed results in even better continuity during upshifts.

Powered by this engine the two-seater with NOVITEC ROSSO engine tuning reaches a top speed in excess of 330 km/h.

At these speeds favorable aerodynamic properties are essential. The NOVITEC ROSSO body components were fine-tuned in the wind tunnel of the University of Stuttgart. The components are made from especially light high-strength carbon fibers and give the car an unabashed racing look while reducing its weight.

The NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler is attached to the production bumper and lends the car a more striking face. In combination with the flaps to the right and left of the central air inlet its sophisticated shape minimizes lift on the front axle, which benefits directional stability at high speeds. Wings and the fender-mounted ventilation louvers now made from carbon fibers add further sporty emphasis to the front of the car. Carbon-fiber mirror housings add the final touch.

Strikingly styled NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panels create optimal airflow between front and rear wheel wells.

To reduce lift on the rear axle for an optimal aerodynamic balance NOVITEC ROSSO upgrades the 458 Italia with a rear spoiler and a carbon-fiber diffuser. The racing look is rounded out with additional carbon-fiber applications such as ventilation louvers or the fog lamp surround. The roof panel of the car and the engine hood are also made from Carbon.

Custom-tailored versions of the three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 wheels were developed to make perfect use of the available space in the wheel wells. Choosing a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 wheels in front and size 12Jx22 on the rear axle further emphasizes the wedge shape of the two-seater car. Technology partner Pirelli supplies PZero high-performance tires custom-tailored for this car. On the front axle the tires are mounted in size 255/30 ZR 21. In the rear tires in size 335/25 ZR 22 provide optimal traction.

The NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs are precision-matched to these ultra-low-profile tires. The springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by some 35 millimeters. At the same time the NOVITEC ROSSO specialists also developed a particular feature that further improves the everyday utility of the 458 Italia. The hydraulic NOVITEC ROSSO front lift system can raise the front of the car at the push of a button in the cockpit by some 40 millimeters, eliminating problems posed by speed bumps or parking garage ramps. At a second push of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h the front reverts to its original position.

NOVITEC ROSSO fully caters to customer requests with perfectly crafted leather and Alcantara interiors. Customers can choose from an endless number of colors and a multitude of upholstery designs meticulously sewn to perfection. The racing theme of the NOVITEC ROSSO body kit is continued in the interior with a center console, scuff plates and longer shift paddles on the steering wheel, all made from carbon fibers.

The modifications include a power boost from 597hp to 622hp at an insane 9,200rpm, blacked out tail lights and a new sport suspension. It sits on Novitec’s forged NF4 wheels with a yellow lip, matching the yellow brake calipers and nicely complimenting the Grigio Silverstone paint work, which does not feature the optional NART stripe down the centre of the body.

With a power increase to 468 kW / 636 hp, NOVITEC ROSSO propels the two-seater to a new top speed in excess of 330 km/h. The high-performance exhaust system made of INCONEL, a material used in Formula 1 racing, not only optimizes the power output and sound, but also saves weight compared with the production model. Tailor-made 21-inch NOVITEC ROSSO forged wheels, a modified suspension with front lift feature, and exclusive interior options round off the upgrade for the Italian sports car.

The active aerodynamics of the Ferrari 458 Speciale posed a special challenge for the NOVITEC ROSSO designers. They developed body components made of especially light yet high-strength carbon fiber, which lend the lightweight-construction version full-blooded racing looks.

The combination of NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler and front blade not only upgrades the production bumper of the Speciale visually, but also minimizes negative lift on the front axle, benefitting directional stability at high speeds. In addition, fairings for the central air inlet in the bumper and the trunk lid create an even more pronounced racing look. The final touch is provided by the carbon-fiber moldings for the exterior mirrors and the door triangles.

The sides of the lightweight-construction sports car receive an even more thrilling profile with the strikingly styled NOVITEC ROSSO rocker panels and the carbon-fiber moldings with gill-shaped profile for the rear side windows.

To reduce negative lift on the rear axle and thus achieve an optimal aerodynamic balance, NOVITEC ROSSO upgrades the 458 Speciale with a rear wing and a carbon-fiber diffusor that like the production part features an electrically adjustable center section. Special air deflectors for the left and right air inlets on the rear side components were developed as part of the innovative aerodynamic-enhancement concept. Not only do they ensure an optimized supply of cooling air for the engine and oil coolers, but they also route the relative wind directly over the rear wing profile thanks to their special design.

The full-blooded racing look is completed with additional carbon-fiber applications such as vent grilles or the fog lamp surround. In addition, the roof skin and the hood are also made of carbon fiber.

To match the carbon-fiber components, NOVITEC ROSSO offers tailor-made accessories such as black tail lights made even more conspicuous by carbon-fiber covers, black turn signal repeaters and the likewise black auxiliary LED brake light.

At the front and back, 21-inch NOVITEC ROSSO NF4 forged rims specially developed for the sports model also play a crucial role in the spectacular appearance of the refined 458 Speciale. Thanks to state-of-the-art forging technology, the nine and twelve inch wide alloys with delicate double spokes are among the lightest of their kind in this size. Technology partner Pirelli supplies PZero high-performance tires of sizes 255/30 ZR 21 and 325/25 ZR 21.

Another NOVITEC ROSSO high-tech engineering feat is the hydraulic suspension system for the 458 Speciale. The front of the car can be raised by 40 millimeters at the push of a button in the cockpit to be able to drive over a curb or navigate a parking garage ramp. The front reverts to its original position at a second push of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h. In addition, NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs lower the ride height of the Spider by some 30 millimeters. NOVITEC ROSSO sport stabilizer bars can deliver even more direct handling.

It goes without saying that various performance kits are available for the 458 Speciale as well: the ultimate tuning stage boosts the power output of the 4.5-liter eight-cylinder engine to 468 kW / 636 hp at 9,250 rpm. Peak torque jumps to 572 Nm at 5,550 rpm.

The NOVITEC ROSSO engine conversion comprises recalibrated mapping for ignition and injection. The slighter higher redline speed results in even more seamless gearshifts and a top speed increased to more than 330 km/h.

Just as important for unleashing additional horsepower is the NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance exhaust system. It consists of two high-performance manifolds, sport catalysts and a rear muffler. A version with electronic sound management is optionally available. On this model the exhaust note can be adjusted between discreet and powerful like in motor racing with the manettino switch on the steering wheel.

The exhaust system features two matte black-coated tailpipes with a diameter of 100 millimeters, and was developed specifically for the 458 Speciale. The exhaust system produces an optimized power yield and a sportier sound. More than that: its construction from INCONEL, the same material used for the exhaust systems in Formula 1 racing, makes the NOVITEC ROSSO system also extremely heat-resistant and above all lightweight: compared with the production exhaust it offers weight savings of seven kilograms. The sport exhaust is of course also available as a stand-alone option.

With perfectly crafted interior appointments made of leather and Alcantara, NOVITEC ROSSO fulfils even the most discriminating 458 Speciale customers’ requests to a tee. The selection of colors is just as extensive as the choice of upholstery designs.

The motor racing flair of the NOVITEC ROSSO body kit can be complemented in the interior with carbon-fiber upper sections for the instrument panel and dashboard as well as with longer carbon-fiber shift paddles for the steering wheel.