The Ferrari 458 Speciale is an aptly-named car. As the most performance-oriented version of the already spectacular 458 series, it is indeed quite speciale.
Yet serial Ferrari tuner Novitec Rosso found some room for improvement, creating a supercar that stands out from even the small crowd of limited-edition Ferrari models.
The difficulty of Novitec Rosso’s task is evident in the car’s body modifications. The company’s creations are usually pretty extravagant, but the stock 458 Speciale is already so pumped up that there wasn’t much to add.
Changes are consequently subtle. They include a revised grille, larger chin spoiler, different rocker panels, gill-shaped moldings around the rear quarter windows and engine bay, a new rear spoiler, and a smattering of extra carbon fiber.
The most notable difference is probably the rolling stock: 21-inch gold wheels that would look perfect on a pimpmobile or a Subaru WRX rally car.
Those wheels will turn pretty fast thanks to a series of performance upgrades that offer up to 636 horsepower and 422 pound-feet of torque, improvements of 39 hp and 24 lb-ft over the stock 458 Speciale.
That’s made possible by new engine-management software mapping for the 4.5-liter V8, a raised redline, and a freer-flowing exhaust system. Novitec Rosso claims the upgrades will get the tuned Speciale up to 205 mph.
Novitec didn’t completely ignore practicality, though. A front-end lift mechanism can raise the nose 1.6 inches to clear speed bumps, which is helpful, especially since the car has been lowered 1.2 inches compared to the ground-hugging stock version.
Novitec Rosso isn’t talking price, but it’s probably fair to assume that anyone who can afford the stock 48 Speciale’s near-$300,000 asking price can afford the upgrades as well.
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