Novitec Ferrari 430 Scuderia: Tuner Special

STETTEN, Germany — The experienced Ferrari tuner Novitec Rosso has unveiled an upgrade program dubbed the Edizione 747 for the 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia. The upgrade is intended to pay tribute to the vehicle before its retirement.

The Prancing Horse supercar comes out of Ferrari's factory in Maranello loaded with 503 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. Novitec then straps on high-performance "Bi-Compressor" twin superchargers, reconfigures the ECU and adds high-flow injectors, a custom-tailored intake manifold and an underbody air deflector to bring output to 747 hp and 544 lb-ft of torque. Maximum boost is set at 7.69 psi The tuner has also outfitted the car with an intercooling system with a dedicated water circuit.

The German tuner says that the Edizione 747 can sprint to 60 mph in less than 3.4 seconds, make it to 124 mph in 9.4 seconds and get all the way to 186 mph in just 22.9 seconds. If a customer requests new gearing, the vehicle won't stop building speed until it hits an incredible 218 mph.

Exterior-wise, Novitec starts out with a two-tone matte yellow and gray paint job and continues by blacking out the taillights, side markers and reflectors. Sport springs lower the car 1.18 inches and work with the color-matched black-and-yellow three-piece 20-inch dubs. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Cup rubber sized 245/30 in the front and 315/25 out back.

To help the driver safely navigate parking ramps, curbs and speed bumps, a hydraulic lift system has been installed on the front axle. The system raises the front of the vehicle 1.5 inches at the push of a button, and will even automatically return the car to its original height when it hits 50 mph.

Interior upgrades include a sport steering wheel in leather and carbon fiber, carbon-fiber shift paddles and an optional two-tone theme that mimics the outside livery.

Inside Line says: Novitec Rosso ups the ante with this aesthetic and performance tune of Ferrari's outgoing 430 Scuderia. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent