Following eleven months of design and development work, Bavarian design house Unique Sportcars has completed its first design concept: the Ferrari f430 "Calavera" realised in collaboration with Novitec Rosso and airbrush artist Knud Tiroch.

Following eleven months of design and development work, the Bavarian design house "Unique Sportcars" has completed its first design concept: a super sports car for the streets. Limiting the series to just eleven units, 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 (in Spanish it means "skull") is the brand name of Unique Sportcars and designation of future design implementations. Claiming to be in touch with modern fashion, Unique Sportcars has combined its belief of "what's hot" with the luxurious Maranello sports car, to create the "Calavera".

All those involved in the project form a strong team. For more than 20 years, Novitec has been well-known on the tuning scene. In the early 1990s, Novitec received attention and recognition for their aftermarket turbo- and supercharged motors for Alfa Romeo models'. 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 interiors. His finesse has been of great use to David Coulthard, ZZ Top, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.

Nürnberg-based Unique Sportcars develops exclusive designs for customers wanting more than just off-the-shelf products. Custom-tailoring individual ideas and customer's wishes, the firm is 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, the Bavarian company has developed a few special extras. The front of the "Calavera" is suited with daytime lights, creating a more aggressive look, but not impeding on it's aerodynamics.

An eye-catching feature of this project is the illuminated engine compartment. This non-standard 'gimmick' puts the Calavera in spotlight, setting the tone for the brutish rear and its 707 bhp engine. The finishing touch is given through its interior where the Calavera design continues. Embroidered seats and a modified, and extended middle console, leave plenty of room for conventional functions and extensions like the new generation Apple iPod.

The whole procedure of tuning this project includes completely dismantling the F430's frame with the modifications made to the engine, aerodynamics, wheels, tyres and sports exhaust system being done by Novitec Rosso. All custom work can be completed within around three months leaving it right on schedule to become the distinctive last series of the Ferrari F430: an exclusive design and incorporation of modern technology and truly, a "Unique Sportcar".

Technical Details

The F430's engine is tuned up to 707 bhp (520 kW) and 712 Nm of torque. 0 – 100 km/h is achieved in 3.5 seconds, while top speed is 348 km/h, all along with an extremely sporty and distinct new interior. 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 cc and mechanical Novitec Rosso twin superchargers produced 656 bhp (482 kW).

The production car's sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds through Novitec Rosso's tuning processes. 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 can grow from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

There are 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 revised car an even more aggressive frontal appearance and reduces lift on the front axle.

Agile and safe handling is one of the strengths of the Novitec Rosso sport suspension for the Ferrari, optimised for everyday. Unlike the production suspension the front end can now be raised by 40 millimetres 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 millimetres lower than the production car. Novitec Rosso sport stabilisers 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, tyres, suspension and the brakes.