At the heart of the California, the folding-roof sports car which made its world debut in the autumn of 2008, lies a supercharged 4.3-litre V8-engine, which the Novitec Rosso team has further developed specifically for this front-engine machine. This revised engine is available for the new special model, which is dubbed the Race 606, as well as for fitting to any standard California model.

The compressor system developed by the German tuner, noted for its tuning of Italian cars, consists of a mechanical supercharger that is driven by the crankshaft via a cogged v-belt. The revised engine produces a maximum boost pressure of 0.4 bar. The conversion also includes a water-to-air intercooler, a newly designed intake manifold and also larger injectors.

The high-tech components are coordinated by newly calibrated engine electronics that offer an improved power yield for a claimed everyday suitability. Curiously, Novitec Rosso states in its press release on the new tuned sports car that the uprated engine will only reach Euro IV emission standards. The engine conversion bumps power output from the standard 460 HP (338 kW) to a claimed 606 HP (446 kW) at 7,900 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque jumps from 485 Nm to a claimed 603 Nm at 5,500 rpm.

Powered by this engine the Novitec Rosso Race 606 delivers improved performance: The sprint from 0 –100 km/h takes less than 3.8 seconds (Ferrari claims "under 4 seconds" for the standard car) while top speed increases from 310 km/h to 325 km/h after the conversion.

At this level of performance favorable aerodynamic properties are essential so the Novitec Rosso designers went into the wind tunnel to develop body components that further reduce lift on front and rear axle and thus contribute to further optimised directional stability at high speed. All parts of the aerodynamic-enhancement package are made from matte clear-coated carbon fibre, making them especially light and yet highly resistant. The front and rear spoilers together with the rear diffuser create an optimal aerodynamic balance and are essential for the racing look of the sports car. Rocker panel blades, side air outlets in the front fenders, mirror covers and the rear molding add further thrilling highlights. Also made entirely from carbon fibre is the hood centerpiece, the radiator grille, the outer skin of the folding hardtop and the taillight surrounds.

The motorsports look is rounded out by the matte carbon-fibre coating of the Germany' company's three-piece NF3 wheels. To further emphasise the wedge shape of the sports car the wheels were manufactured in a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 for the front and in size 11.5Jx22 for the rear axle. The matching PZero high-performance tyres in sizes 255/30 ZR 21 and 315/25 ZR 22 are supplied by technology partner and Formula 1 supplier Pirelli.

Specifically calibrated to this tyre/wheel combination are the Novitec Rosso-developed sport springs, which lower the ride height of the Ferrari by some 35 millimeters. They are combined with a feature designed to further improve any California’s suitability for everyday use. The hydraulic front lift system is activated at the push of a button in the cockpit. It raises the front of the car by 40 millimeters and facilitates navigating speed bumps and 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.